Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1898 — READY TO ADVANCE. [ARTICLE]

READY TO ADVANCE.

Further Preparations for the Army Movement on Cuba. .BIG AMOUNT OF RATIOXS PURCHASED Part di the Supply Intended for the Philippines —No News Received from Sampson and His FleetAnxiety for Oregon's Safety. Washington, May 12.—/The army movement on Cuba is now fairly launched and Wednesday’s 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 pearl of the Antilles. An order given Wednesday afternoon by the war department for the purchase of 5,000,000 rations is an earnest of the scale on which preparations* are making for invasion of Spain’s territory. Of this vast quantity, one-fourth is to go to tihe Philippines, by way of San Francisco aid the balance to Cuba. For some reason that was not discoverable there appeared to be a temporary check in the practical working out 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 Wednesday the rather gloomy prospect of an indefinite postponement of the first military expedition was presented. Later on, however, the obstacle, whatever 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. No News from Sampson. Contrary to expectations the day again passed at the navy department without hews from Acfmiral Sampson. Notwithstanding what appear to be confirmatory newspaper advices relative to the presence of rhe Spanish Cape Verde fleet at Cadiz, the navy department officials are beginning to entertain strong doubt of the accuracy of the report. It was not possible during the course of the day to obtain anything like an official confirmation of the report received Tuesday, but this is not to be wondered at in view of the success which the Spanish government has so far met with in keeping secret the movements of its naval ships. Until news comes from Admiral Sampson of his doings in and around Puerto Rico it cannot be said definitely what programme shall be decided on as regards that island. Need of Troops. It has beA suggested that some of the troops now being hurried so rapidly to the gulf coast may be intended to cooperate with Admiral Sampson in the reduction of the fortifications at San Juan de Puerto Rico and the subsequent occupation of the island. It is felt that the admiral will be in a rather disagreeable plight, supposing even that he managed to reduce the forts with his fleet if he were obliged to remain there in occupation of the place, for lack of troops, when he might otherwise be urgently needed either on the Cuban coast or somewhere in the Atlantic to meet the Spanish fleet. An evidence of the wisdom of having the troops’ transports near at hand in such cases is shown by the predicament 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 insurgents are capable of working upon their helpless Spanish foes. Anxious About the Oregon. The revival of doubts as to the whereabouts of the Cape Verde squadron caused a renewal of anxiety as to the Oregon. The ship was at Bahia at last accounts and is believed to have started a day or two ago up the Brazilian coast to join Sampson’s squadron in the West Indies. She will have to make a run of 3.000 miles, which will occupy the Oregon about ten" days only as she is .in fine fettle and averaged 13 knots an hour on the long run around from San Francisco. However, it is believed that Admiral Sampson is as well posted as anyone in Washington as to the conditions existing in the West Indies and he doubtless will do whatever is necessary ~ In his judgment to safeguard the ship in her run up the coast. Strength of the Cuban Army. Concerning the strength of the Cuban forces in the field, the Cuban representatives here say that recent advices fully bear out all that the Cuban authorities have claimed—namely, that there are in all about 40,000 men either under arms or ready to take arms as soon as guns and ammunition are at hand. Of this number It is said that about 15,000 lack arms and equipment, leaving about 25,000 now in the field and reasonably equipped, although additional ammunition and supplies would be most advantageous to these latter. Mlles Ready to Go to Tampa. Washington, May 12. —A final decision has been reached by Gen. Miles, commanding the army, to leave Washington for Tampa, Fla., to-night. The special orders on this subject have been issued and provide that the general and his staff and other officers who accompany him shall proceed to Tampa and other points that may be designated “for temporary duty.” Gen. Miles will have his headquarters In the field and a great mass of papers, Charts and other data of a military character have been packed in trunks ready for shipment to Tampa. Several of the clerks and messengers in the department have been ordered to be ready to accompany Gen. Miles and bis staff. Moving the Troops. Chickamauga National Park, Ga., May 12.—The orders received at the headquarters of Gen. Brooke’s provisional army did not have the rush features, hence only three regiments of cavalry left Wednesday. The orders, however, are that all troops must go to

the coast by the latter part of the week. ] The Third and Sixth regiments of cav-1 airy are now well on their way toward Tampa. The Third regiment is commanded by Gen. Sumner and the Sixth by Gen. Young. These regiments marched to Ringgold, Ga., a station on the Western & Atlantic railroad seven miles distant, and there boarded the trains which were held in readiness for them. Has Sampson Opened Flref Cape Haytien, May 12.—The town is full of a story that Admiral Sampson is battering at the gates of San Juan de "Puerto Rico. The story goes that action began Wednesday afternoon and that the ancient fortifications were rapidly crumbling under fire of the heavy guns. Havana had evidently heard of , the news also and was wildly excited over it, for all sorts of inquiries for information have been cabled here. No definite information can be had from Puerto Rico, which strengthens the idea here that something unusual is going on there. Chicago, May 12, 4:30 a. m.—The report of the bombardment of Sfin Juan by Admiral Sampson’s fleet received no verification from any other source up to this hour. It agrees in time to the previously expressed expectations of the navy department. It was predicted also that w’hen the bombardment should take place the authentic news Would be slow in reaching the United States, owing to the absence of cable facilities not controlled by Spanish censors. It will be necessary to wait for later advices before the truth of the report can be absolutely established.