Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-09
Stars and Stripes Waving On Cuban
Hills.
NO OFFICIAL REPORTS YET RECEIVED
But Officials Accept the News
paper Accounts.
REGULARS LEAVE TAMPA


Key West on the steamer Panther. These
marines had been encamped on the beach
at Key West for several weeks. undergoing
the most severe drill and military training.
They are intended, not for distribution
among the feet. but landing force pure
and simple. Naval officers are confident
that with this small but well-disciplined
landing force Admiral Sampson will be able
Immediately to take possession of such
points on the coast in the neighborhood of
Santiago as hs may deem necessary to
serve as a base for the occupation Of the
regular United States troops when they ar
rive With the marines in possession of the
beach and the American warships clearing
thu country behind of Spaniards with their
shells, there will be little danger in effect
Ing the landing of the troops.
The Caimanera Affair.
Though no official confirmation has yet
reached the Navy Department of the news
PAPER reports that come from Sampson )
fleet to the effect that he landed marines
at Caimanera In Guantanamo, and that
they are still in possession of a strategic
stronghold on the hills near by, the naval
officers here are inclined to accept the re-
ports as accurate. They feel pride in the
fact that the navy, through it's marine ad-
junct has earned the distinction of being
the first to occupy in force territory in
Cuba The marines who effected this nota-
BILE feat were drawn, it is believed, from
the entire fleet, and were thoroughly capa-
bic and perfectly disciplined troops.
Heights Near Santiago Occupied.
The Navy Department does not acknowl-
edge having received report of the land
ing of force by Admiral Sampson to take
possession of the heights at the approach
to Santiago. but the department believes
1t to be true, and. doubtless, information
of some sort confirming the press Dispatch
es has been received. 1t is regarded as not
impossible that Santiago may be reduced
through the operations of the navy before
the transports with the main body, of the
army arrive.
AT all events. it is believed that when
Gen. Shafte- anc his troops arrive off Sam
tiago there will be left comparatively little
for them to do except to disembark and
take possession of Santiago and the sur
rounding fortified lions. If this proves to
be the case. the place will be garrisoned
and our fleet will be free to begin opera
tions against Porto Rico. At this point, as
in the case with Santiago, the question
arises as to whether the army will be ready
to occupy Porto Rico Immediately On the
way being cleared by Admiral Sampson. or
whether there will be a repetition Of the
oelay while the navy is waiting on the
slower movements of the military forces.
1t Is believed that Admiral Sampson
found 1t desirable to land the small force
at his command to take possession Of the
Important heights from which the Spanish
a ffrl1.a r,1rt he a
ORDER to prevent their returning to recon-
struct the batteries thus necessitating either
a continuous bonlbardn ent or frequent re-
newal of action. Had the transports in
Cen Skaters army all got off when they
were expected to, Santiago would undoubt
eddy now be in our possession
The Departure of Troops.
The officials here express the belief that
the regular troops have already sailed from
Tampa. but no one In authority and advised
Oh the fact will make such a statement pub
licly. Notwithstanding the fact that the
destination of the troops can only be sur
missed. it is felt that there still remains :,
necessity for cOncealing the exact time of
departure of the troops. and 1t Is d notice.
able fact that in spite of the understa n,linx
that obtained yesterday. to the effect that
as soon as the troops had actually depart
ed. there Is no authentic news from Kew
West or Tampa directly this morning. 1t
does not follow, from the fact that the
troops left Tampa yesterday, that they
are now their way to Cuba. although
such Is generally believed to be the case
for the original orders to the military COM
manders contemplated a start In finalty
from Key West. AT that point the trans
ports were to be rounded up and taken I'M
der convoy of some of the more formidable
naval vessels. Assuming that the trans
ports left Tampa yesterday, moving at
squadron speed, they could scarcely do
more than reach Key West today. Some
time must be consumed In organizing th,.
twenty-nine transports into a squadron and
In placing them under convoy, so that there
Is a probability that If Tampa was left yes
teerday the final start from Key West Will
not be made before tonight.
According TO information received here
several transports which soldiers were
embarked several days ago, merely stood
out a sh1r distance, and have since been
waiting for the entire body of troops to be
embarked. Now this delay is all over. and
the troops embarked yesterday will in three
or four days be off Santiago
General Air of Relief.
There was the greatest activity in the
War Department today, and general air
OF relief consequent upon the departure of
transports of troops 1t Is felt now that the
difficulties are practically over and that
hereafter there will be nothing to retard
military operations
The Campaign Against San .Juan.
1t is generally accepted III official circles
that strong military and naval demon
stration against San Juan, Porto Rico. will
Immediately follow the capture and occupa-
ton of Santiago de Cuba, and that arrange
n ents for the expedition to Porto Rico have
been already completed Major General
Ccppinger. con handing the 4th Armv
corps, Will have command of the army of
invasion of Porto Rico. and the expecta-
ton is that he will be appointed military
governor of that island in the event of its
capture. Major General Fitzhugh Lea COM
manding the 9TH Army Corps. will be sec
ond in command. Jacksonville Fla, has
been selected IS the point of departure for
the troops destined for Porto Rico TIL.
army of invasion viii consist of about 20 =
600 men, mainly of volunteers, but con-
tanning good representation of regulars
There are about 800 troops at Jackson