The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-02
A Decided Yicfnrv.

Washington, July 2.-The suspense
which followed the receipt of General
Skaters message early yesterday
morning announcing that a battle had
begun near Santiago was relieved at
1880 this morning when a preliminary
report of the days operations was re-
ceived by General COrbin from General
Shafter.
The president and the war officials
are immensely pleased at the informa-
tiOn conveyed in Skaters message
While they learned with sincerest re-
gret that so many of the American
troops had fallen in the fight the
ground gained by the days conflict is
regarded as great victory
Adjutant General Corbin put the sit
uatiOn strongly and picturesquely this
morning While speaking briefly of the
responsiveness and tenacity of General
Shafter:
THE old bull dog" said he referring
thus half affectionately to the dis
tinguished commander of the Fifth
corps, is lying right there with his
teeth in their neck, only waiting the
coming of daylight to finish the work
he has magnificently begun. The en-
gagement yesterday was very heavy
for preliminary fight, but it scores a
decided victory for US. I regret to
know that Shafter has sustained so
heavy a loss, but we hope that there
are not, as he says, many killed. 1t is,
however, pretty certain to be true that
the loss of an army in an engagement
y
tie line extended over several miles
would be much heavier than is indicated
by the first reports. 1t is manifeStly
impossible in cases where the battle
has ragged all day and until dark to
ascertain with defniteness the loss sus-
tanned"
During the early night there was
much speculation concerning the rea-
sons for the delay in receiving news
from the battle. Captain Nesmith who
is acting as chief signal officer during
the temporary absence of General
Greely, feared that cable cOmmunica-
ton with Cuba might have been inter-
rupted and none of the other officials
would offer a suggestion as to the rea-
son for the delay.
Early in the evening Secretary Alger
went to the White house and remained
with the president until the dispatch
from General Shafter had been re-
ceived.
During the evening many prominent
officials and members of congress were
at the White house but only a few of
them remained for greater time than
a few minutes. They called to ascer-
tain whether any news had been re-
ceived from Cuba.
Relief For the Wounded.
Washington. July Immediately
upon receiving Gen. Skaters telegram
concerning the killed and wounded
Surgeon General Sternburg Ofthe army
called on the surgeon general of the
navy ana the Two neld a long con-
sultation regarding the course to be
taken. Fortunately the ambulance
ship Solace is now in the vicinity of
General Skaters army and she will be
utilized for any emergency cases which
may arise. While the Solace is de-
signed primarily for the use of the fleet
she will be put at the disposition of
the army whenever that may be neces-
sary and the navy and army ships will
be used interchangeab bly,. The Solace
is fully as well adapted for treating the
wounded as her sister ship of the army
and has accommodations for several
hundred men. The last heard from the
Solace she was at Guantanamo bay,
short distance from the cable station
from which the dispatches are sent.
Hurried preparations are being made
by the war department to send to Gen.
Shafter the assistants in the medical
department which he asked for to at
tend to the needs of the wounded, as a
result of yesterdays battle. The hos
pitaI ship Relief, which has been under
going a thorough overhauling at New
York is about ready to start for San
tiagO She was scheduled to have
sailed yesterday but owing to some de-
lay was unable to get off at that time
and will leave today. The Relief has
been fitted out in an admirable manner
for the treatment of the sick and