The herald., 1898-06-03
o what might be a battle ground without

to what might be battle ground without
stopping to even tighten crank pin.
The dispatch boats lying outside the
squadron raised their flags as the Oregon
bore down between them, while her officers
and men waved their hands and caps were
silently lifted. The big fighter slowed down
to majestic pace and then the noise arose.
Rank upon rank of white-clad sailors broke
into yells which came over half mile
against the wind. and the crew Of the Ore
gon sent them back with interest. The
ships, each white with men, renewed their
greeting and each vessel of the fleet Joined
In again as the Oregon came by the flagship
and the Indiana, the latter's band playing
1.-The Washington Post March," Then the
exchange of visits began. and the officers
and men Of the Oregon were heartily COM
plimented and welcomed by all.
Troops Coming
NEW YORK, June PA Washington spe-
cial to the Herald SAYS
1t is confidently expected that the first
military expedition into Cuba under Gen.
eral Shafter will invest Santiago de Cuba
and attack Admiral Cervera's fleet from the
land early next week. Rear Admiral
Sampson has concentrated formidable
feet of armorclads, protected cruisers and
torpedo craft off Santiago and has ar
ranged for a strong convoy of lighter ves-
sells to accompany the troops, SO that there
will be no escape for Admiral Cervera by
sea and operations can be commenced as
soon as the military expedition has been
landed.
There Is a strong probability that the
army has already left American soil and is
fairly on it's way to the point of debarka-
ton near Santiago de Cuba.
Strict orders have been issued by Cen
real Greedy, Chief Signal officer, to the
press censors at Tampa and other southern
points not to allow any news relative to
the embarkation of troops to be telegraph
ed until several days after the men have
sailed.
The expedition to Santiago de Cuba will
carry a plentiful supply of arms and am
munition to supply the insurgent army
that is to form junction with the Amer
lean forces at the place of landing.
Although little real fighting can be ex-
pected from the Cuban patriots, they will
afford excellent guides through the wild
Cuban country and can give valuable in
formation as to the lay of the land over
which the field pieces and siege guns will
have to be transported to points from
which they can command the city and har
bor
The main invasion of Cuba will probably
not be delayed until fall, but the troops
will leave the United States as soon as all
the preparations for such an expedition
can be made.
This army will be of overwhelming
strength and will consist principally Of
volunteers. The authorities are now TAX
ing steps to provide all the necessary
transports for this army and it is confident
ly expected that the invasion will be begun
within a short time.
Reason for Delay
WASHINGTON, June at was stated
authoritatively at the Navy Department at
noon today that not word had been re-
ceived from Commodore Schiey as to the
engagement at Santiago. The officials ex-
press no surprise at this delay, and account
for 1t on several grounds. In the first
place, 1t Is said that fleet commander
must walt until an engagement is COM
pleted before he makes a report, and that
the press reports may give only the initial
feature of an action without waiting for its
completion. There are intimations that the
press reports cover only the first features
Of Commodore Schley's movements, and
that until these movements were developed
to the point where the results in view were
actually achieved, reports would not be
made on incidental phases of the general
movement. Moreover, 1t is pointed out that
the fleet commander must communicate
with all the commanders Of the ships MAX
ing up his fleet in order to learn as to casu-
alties, damage and all the circumstances of
the engagement. When thus informed his
report is made deliberately, and this in turn
must be translated into the naval cipher
code. When received here there is another
delay in deciphering the dispatch. Alto
gether, it is said, that the care in preparing
official dispatches makes them about
twenty-four hours behind the press ad-
vices. 1t was thought that the absence of
exact official information might embarrass
the work of the War Board, but officials
say this has not occurred.
The official ntimation that the action of
Tuesday is only the initial phase of a more
general movement Is strengthened by the
view that Commodore Schley would hardly
attempt an attack unless he had some defin-
tie object in view. This object 1t is be-
lieved, Isl to learn exactly as to the number
of Spanish ships now within Santiago de
Cuba harbor and also develop the effect
iveness of the fire of the Spanish forts at
the entrance Of the harbor.
With these two points established beyond
the slightest doubt, the campaign, military
and naval. could be executed against San
tiago with much greater certainty as to re-
suits. While the Navy Department has
been satisfied for the last ten days that
Admiral Cervera's entire fleet is inside San
tiago harbor, Commodore schley has not