The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-05-14
THE MOVEMENT ON CUBA.
Concerted Effort Ali Along the Line
to Begin Aggressive Action
on a Big Scale.
CHANGES MADE IN THE ORIGINAL PLANS.
No News Received from Admiral Samp-
sons Fleet-Doubts Again Entertained
as to the Movement Of the Spanish
Cape Verde Fleet-Mr. Belmont's Offer
Declined by the Government.

movement on Cuba is fairly launched,
and yesterdays news developed a
concerted effort all along the line to
begin aggressive operations on a big
scale for the ejectment of the Spanish
troops and government from the Peal
of the Antilles. An order given yester-
day afternoon by the war department
for the purchase OF 5000, 600 r~atiOns is
an earnest of the scale on which prep
arations are making for the invasion
of SPANS territory. OF this vast
quantity one-fourth is to 60 to the
Philippines, by way of San Francisco,
and the balance to Cuba.
For some reason hat was not dis
coverable there appeared to be n tenn
porary check in the practical working
put of the plans of the war department
for this Cuban movement. After
everything had been made ready for
the departure Tuesday night, Gen.
Miles was detained and for a time, yes
terday, the rather gloomy prospect of
an indefinite postponement OF the first
military expedition was presented.
Later on, however, the obstacle, what
ever it was, was removed and it was
again announced that the commanding
general, with a numerous staff, would
leave Washington to-day directly for
Tampa.
The department has made 4 great
many changes in the original pro-
gramme laid down for the concentra-
ton of troops and, as Indicated in these
dispatches yesterday, many bodies of
volunteers that were originally slated
for n of the great concentration
camps have found themselves suddenly
under orders to proceed direct to south
ern points, so that soon volunteers from
the east and middle west will be NOV
ing swiftly to Florida and the gulf,
while from the far west, the cars will
be carrying troops to San Francisco.
Yesterdays news in connection with
the renewal of Gen. Miles orders to
Tampa is pretty substantial evidence
of a very early movement of troops in
strong force to Cuba, while the Philip
pine programme, of course, has been
definitely fixed for some days.
Contrary to expectations yesterday
passed at the navy department without
news from Admiral Sampson.
Notwithstanding what appear to be
confirmatory newspaper advices rela-
tive to the presence of the Spanish Cape
Verde fleet at Cadiz, the navy depart
ment officials are beginning to enter
tain strong doubt of the accuracy of
the report. 1t was not possible, dur
ing the course of the day, to obtain
anything like an official confirmation
Of the unofficial report received Tues
day, but this is not to be wondered at
in view of the success which the Span
ish government has so far met with
in keeping secret the movements of it's
naval ships.
Until news comes from Admiral
Sampson of his doings in and around
Porto Rico, it cannot be said definitely
what programme shall be decided on
as regards that island. 1t has been sug-
gested hat some of the troops now be-
ing hurried so rapidly to the gulf coast
may be intended to cooperate with Adj
miral Sampson in the reduction of the
Notifications in San Juan de Porto
Rico and the subsequent occupation of
the island.
An evidence of the wisdom of having
the troop transports neal at hand in
such cases is shown by the predica-
ment Admiral Dewey is believed to be.
IN at Manila, where, for lack of troops,
he is unable to occupy the town and
to prevent atrocities which the insur-
gents are capable of working on their
helpless Spanish foes.
The revival of doubts as to he
whereabouts of the Cape Verde squad
ron caused n renewal of anxiety as to
the Oregon. The ship was at Bahia,
Brazil, at last accounts, and is belieped
to have started a day or two ago, up
the Brazilian coast to join Simpsons
squadron in the West Indies. She will
have to make a run OF 5000 miles, which
will occupy her about ten days only, as
She is in fine fettle, and averaged ID
knots an hour on the long run around
from San Francisco.
The navy department felt obliged to
decline the offer made by some wealthy
New York gentlemen, headed by o. III.
p. Belmont, to build and equip Il tor
pedo boa for the use of the govern
ment during the war.
Possibly the declination was brought
through the condition attached
to the offer that the boat should be;
commanded by Mr.. Belmont for, with
out the least reflection upon that gen.
tleman, the naval officials have been
obliged to decline to establish the pre-
cedent of appointing civilians to COM
mands in this way. The practice in
some respects would approach priva-
teering, which is distinctly prohibited
by the agreement we have voluntary
entered into and proclaimed t o the
world.
Lieut.-Col. Roosevelt yesterday
turned over his duties of assistant sec
rotary of the navy to Mr.. Charles FL.
Allen, of Massachusetts,, and the latter
held a reception at the department to
all the employees.
The rush orders to the Charleston.
which went out yesterday, will have
the result, possibly, of obliging the
department to send another vessel.
probably the Philadelphia, along with
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