The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1898-06-23
SKAFIER'S ARMY ARRIVES
The Transports with the $4,000
Troops Reach SIMPSONS Fleet
Off Santiago.
THE GENERAL AND ADMIRAL CONFER.
inGton-Sews Received That the Ca
mara Fleet Has Returne ed to Cadiz-Sur-
Reon General sternberR Examines the
Hospital ship Relief


when Secretary Alger reached his
office to-day. The trans ports with 10, =
900 troops, he was informed, had ar
rived safely off Santiago and that d.
rect communication had been estab-
lished between the United States and
Guantanamo, where the United States
marines now hold possession of Cuban
SOIL Thus not only is Capt. Gen.
Blanco cut off from any communion
ton with the outside world, save
through the Key West cables within
our control, but the authorities in
Washington have been placed in close
connection with our forces, army and
navy, which are conducting the inva-
sion of Cuba. To Gen. Greedy and his
signal corps belongs the honor of
achieving this last feat lie was en-
trusted some weeks ago with re-estab-
fishing cable and telegraph communi
cation with Cuba. Under his supervi-
sion. Lieut. Col. james Allen, of Gen.
Miles staff. with officers and men of
the signal corps, have been busily en-
gagged in the execution of that work
The first message over this restored
cable was one from Lieut.. Col. Allen
to Gen Greedy announcing the reopen
ing of communication. Gen. Greedy
Immediately directed the officer to
obtain and forward the earliest
possible adviccs as to the ar
rival of the United States trans
ports. Lieut.. Col. Allen applied to Capt
McCalla, in command of the United
States naval forces in Guantanamo
bay. The captain in turn sent out
boat to Admiral SIMPSONS squadron
which returned with the news that
the transports had arrived safely and
were lying off Santiago and that at
tho moment of the report Gen. Shafter,
commanding the military expedition,
was on board the flagship New York
counscling with Admiral Sampson
respecting the landing OF the troops.
The news was particularly grateful to
Secretary Alger. whom besides his Of
fetal interest in the safe arrival of the
expedition has n natural concern for
the welfare of his son, an inspector on
Gen Skaters staff.
The vessels that have arrived off
Santiago with the troops on board of
each, according to the data supplied
to the war department by Gen. Shat
ter, numbered, with the convoy, 40
vessels and Is the most numerous fleet
that ever left the waters of the United
States for foreign country. 1t Is ex-
pected here that the transports will
remain off Santiago, or perhaps nearer
the exact landing point of the troops,
until Santiago has been captured,
when they will take aboard the great
err part of the invading army, If they
can be spared from that locality and
convey the troops to Porto Rico to ef- |
feet the capture of that island.
Preparations for the Sick and Wounded. |
WASHINGTON, juno 2l.-Surgeon Gen
eral Sternberg, of the army, has re-
turned from Now York, where he spent |
a day in q thorough examination of |
the hospital ship Relief, being fitted |
ont for the use of the army in the |
West Indies. The final touches are |
being put on the vessel and Gen. |
Sternberg reports that she will be |
ready to leave for her destination,
which, presumably, will be Santiago. |
the first of next week. The ship is
adapted for the pur-
poses intended and the general |
is more than satisfied with her.
The capacity of the vessel ordinarily
is for 500 beds, but under stress of cir
this may be doubled and
600 persons accommodated. The equip
ment of the vessel consists of a com
plete outfit for all kinds of surgical
and other branches of work which |
must come under the supervision of
tho hospital branch. One of the most
desirable features of her equipments is
IN ice-making plant with n capacity
of about two tons per day, which, in
addition to supplying the needs
of the vessel, will be adequate
also for furnishing the field
hospitals in the immediate vicinity
of the ship Then there is a water
distilling plant, also q carbonating
plant, the latter installed with the
money given by one of the relief asso.
Citations. The navy ambulance ship
Solace is now in Cuban waters and
this vessel with the Relief will be used
so far as the occasion
therefor may arise Unlike the navy
ship, the Relief is distinctly q hospital
ship and will be kept at this tempo.
rary destination until its beds are
filled with sick and wounded men,
when it will take them to the most
available and convenient hospital
Gen Sternberg is receiving many
offers of hotel and hospital buildings
for use as general hospitals by the
during the present war.
In the matter of hospitals, however,
the government at this time is quite
we'll supplied. There are now accom-
for over 1000 men. The
of those now in existence can
be expanded readily by the use OF
tents, which, in the south, particularly
during the summer. would not bring
any hardship on the person within
them.
Spanish Fleet Returns to Cadi&
WASHINGTON, June 2t.-Adviees re
rived here by way of Marseilles,
rance, confirm the first reports that
ne Spanish fleet has returned TO Cadiz-
he dispatches state that the Victoria