The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-06-02
POINTS OF INVASION.
E%Ps sDi~ lo VS. FOR SoHTO faCo ANC
SANTIAGO IN pRr PARATCM.

The Exact Point al inLurkn;i"n Cannot
be Discovered - General shaitrr VIII
Hav. Command oi TIA. Troops at San.
tago.
Washington, June 1.-The cabinet
has discussed the situation at Santiago
and the coming invasion of Porto Rico
and Santiago. Both the secretary of
the navy and the secretary of war were
reticent in regard 10 the exact move
ments Of the army and navy, but they
acknowledged that before the week
ended important developments would
occur, and that there would be no fur
ther delay in regard to the campaign
in the West Indies.
The actual embarkation of troops be-
gan late yesterday afternoon, accord
ing to positive information at the war
department. 1t is not permissible to
state the point of departure, and it will
be probably a day Or two before the
expedition actually sails.
Porto Rico to BE Invaded.
1t is the general belief in Washing
ton that the real point of invasion at
this time is Porto Rico-and there is
doubt whether troops will be landed
at Santiago before or after the attack
on Porto Rico. There are obvious rea.
sons for not resolving this doubt, and
the only thing that can be stated posi-
lively without impropriety is that both
the Porto Rican and the Santiago ex-
petitions will precede the general in
Vasion of Cuba.
While it may be true that a number
of troops will be landed at Santiago to
assist Commodore Schley, in his attack
on the Spanish feet and the city, it is
the opinion of the administration that
no time must be lost in seiZing and
holding Porto Rico. The most signifi-
cant news from the South, in the opin-
ion of the army officers here, is the an
nouncement that General Lee has gone
to Jacksonville, on the east coast of
Florida, to establish headquarters
there. But one inference can be drawn
from this movement, namely, that
Jacksonville is to be made a base of
operations against Porto Rico The
town is admirably situated for this
purpose; in fact it far surpasses Key
West as a base for operations even
against any of the eastern points OF
SuDti' i be tSIIIllI llS Vi dI tACtlltHt
railroad system leading from the North
and West, with good steamboat con-
nection with New York, with a naviga-
bic river, affording a good harbor, and
distant only 1900 miles from San Juan
in an air line, jacksonville leaves little
to be desired as base of military op-
Sratons. There seems to be little doubt
that the plan of campaign contemplates
the reduction Of Porto Rico
Crn. Milss's Plans.
The departure of General Miles does
not mean that he is going TO command
in person the army bound either for
Santiago or San Juan. but that, as
stated in these dispatches last week,
he is to organize the expeditions to Por-
to Rico and Santiago, so as to know
exactly what the army needs and pre-
pare for the greater inva sion of Cuba.
The preparations for the occupation
of Santiago and Porto Rico are nearing
completion, and the division for San
tiago, which will be under General
Shafter. has been selected. Its equip
ment is complete. and 1t Is not thought
there will be any delay IN starting.
General Miles will reach Tampa to-
day. where he will confer with General
Shafter regarding his campaign, and
give him his final instructions. Cen
eral Brooke will have command Of the
Porto Rican expedition, and General
Lee will go with him. starting from
Jacksonville. General Miles's plans are,
as stated, to inspect the Santiago COM
mand and make his report to the presi-
dent, after which he will turn his at
tention to the Porto Rican troops. AZ
ter these expeditions have been started
he will devote his entire attention to
thoroughly organizing and quipping the
army for the general Cuban invasion.