The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1898-06-23
WILL BURN CAINANERA.
s-paniarda Resolved to Reduce the
Town to Ashes.
streets strewn With straw saturated
with on, Ready for the Torch-Ala-
rlBes Impressed That Another
Assault Is Coming.

maica, June t9.-Cuban scouts today
report that the inhabitants Of Caima-
nera have strewn the streets with straw
and oil, with the intention Of destroy
ing the city and fleeing to the hills.
C~aimanera lies four miles up the bay
from Camp McCalla, under the guns Of
the American ships, and the situation
is desperate. Starving and famine
stricken, convinced Of the ultimate
triumph of the American arms and
without faith in the protection Of the
Spanish ~soldiery, the people are be-
lieved to have determined to leave their
houses in ashes behind them and seek
safety in the mountains Of the north
The scouts declare that the story is
accurate, and say that every building
Of the town is being rapidly prepared
for the torch.
The situation Of the besieged is a
fearful one. The people are eating
horses and mules. and are securing the
hills for fruits and herbs.
Occasionally brief commandments
from the American fleet leave the help
less citizens terror-stricken, no prepare
tions for defense being made,
1t is also stated that the Spanish gun
boat Caimanera has been loaded with
infammabIes and will be burned with
the city, her commander declaring that
she will never become an American
prize.
She scouts also say that the Spanish
soldiers r in almost as complete a
state Of panic as are the civilians, and
that they could easily be induced to
surrender. Some Of the prisoners taken
by the marines also say they believe
the Spanish troops are on the verge Of
surrender, owing to the lack of food.
Expecting Desperate Attack.
Capt. McCalla of the cruiser Marble.
head aud Lieut,-Col. Huntington, in
command Of the marines, are not so
sure, however, Of the reported Spanish
rout. They received information yes
terday that a general attack by a force
of $500 Spanish soldiers and guerrilas
on Camp MeCalia is contemplated with
in a night or two. Every preparation
was made last night for an expected as
sault. The hills about the marine
camp were brilliant under the shifting
rays Of the searchlights of the Marble
head, Dolphin and Scorpion. and the
marines were lying in the rife pits, at
the guns, ready and anxious for battle,
but the night passed without the firing
Of a shot, The same watchful care was
exercised today, as Capt. McCalla is
convinced that ar attack is likely to oc.
cur at any moment,
The Iowa joined the fleet here this
morning, and later the admiral came
over on the flagship to inspect the for
tjfcations and confer with Capt. Me-
Gala and Lieut.-CoL Huntington.
The coast in the vicinity Of Guanta-
namo is dotted with the bright,hued
Cuban flag Numerous camps Of i'm
surgents, which have been established
along the shore between Santiago and
NAN+
'n's place, are used by the admiral as
means OF communication with the
ouoanS IN the interior
The aid which these men have pfven
has proved highly valuable to Ameri-
IheH stories OF restitution and
revolt among the Spanish soldiery in
inns vicinity nave been corroborated by
interviews with prisoners captured
around the camp.
ven FerfeJo' who is in command Of
yi'e "PaiIsh FORCES here, is undoubtedly
desperate IN regard to obtaining food
cor ms men Inc prisoners who have
Q zen captured appear to have been ILL
Iea, ana are apparently Indifferent to
yhetr tate.
Spanish Scouts Picked Up.
Another body Of five Spaniards WINS :
captured yesterday by Ensign A. 4
Pratt Of the Marblchead. While cruis. .
ug in q steel launch outside the bay he !
picked up a fifty-toot sloop containing J
Spanish captain and four sailors !
said they were on their wav IL ,
'.''"'i" - Bet u supply OF oil for 4
'@'9us1 ayNaPe MaEsi' but pa G
,s+'i" ~ US SlooP proved that
H. In, .,,, ~" sehy 70 ootaln ntorma
y '"e american forces g
ny Ile'Y.oi ING siooP asserted that they 8
~ ll.ieo ? ~frlghttully ILL :
iehtSN W tie NpanlSh commander nf d