The Portland daily press., 1898-06-22

landing places was also laid before the
army officers, but Gen. Shafter is not pre-
pared 10 announce a definite selection
wi5holt investigating the matter further
himself. Gen. Garcia gives the Americans
assurances that they need have no fear of
contracting diseases On the southeastern
coast OF Cuba as the climate there is not
unhealthy, only extremely hot at this sea-
son Of the year. The Cuban general de-
clared that his own troops, i'll fed and
clothed as they were, were III good health
and therefore the Americans need not fear
feyers or other serious ailments.
Gen. Shafter examined the condition of
the Cuban soldiers during his visit and
was impressed with their hardy and so l.
diery appearance, though he recognized
the fact that they need clothes and pro-
visions, both of which were given them
during the day.
The interview closed with the under
standing on the part of both generals that
small bodies of troops are to be landed
at once at several points along the coast,
where they will be safe from any serious
attack by the Spaniards and will be able
to keep the enemy in doubt. for the pres
emit, as to their ultimate intentions
Among the troops which will be landed
first are a number of men from the
engineer corps, who will begin work at
once preparing for the movement of the
main body of troops.
1t was nearly dark before the officers
returned to the Segurancia and then
she steamed back to the flagship and took
up a position for the night. Before night
fall all the other transports and the con-
voiyng warships had drifted nearer to the
shore and the Spanish soldiers, watching
from the bluffs on both sides of TIE en-
trance of Santiago harbor, must have
been impressed by the great array of ves-
sells standing of shore. There were nearly
60 of them, including the troopships and
the men of war, comprising Rear Ad-
miral SIMPSONS fleet and the squadron
of Commodore Schley.
The 5000 Spanish soldiers and perhaps
1000 sailors guarding the city ana harbor
of Santiago de Cuba, doubtless concluded
that there was but small chance of ov-
grooming the force of American warships
and some 10000 American soldiers and
sailors which will be hurled against
them before the present weak is over.
The despatch boat of the Associated
Press, left the fieot for the cable station
just at nightfall, when the warships had
taken their positions in a semi-circle in
front of the harbor entrance, with the
troopships further out. The sea was COM
paratively smooth for the first time in
several weeks and the great fleet was
almost motionless.
The soldiers, most of whom behel
the shores of Cuba for the first time in
their lives. watched the steep mountain
sides through the gathering darkness
with many thoughts of home passing
through their minds.
The newspaper despatch boats which
had been steaming back and forth among
the transports since the arrival of the lat
ter were held up at every stage of their
passage with the request to take lett rs
to the nearest mailing point, giving &C.
counts of the voyage and announcing the
safe arrival Of the army off the enemy's
coast.
According to the regulations established
at the outbreak of the war, not light
was visible on any OF the ships and the
Gordon of men of war lying under the
Spanish guns, near MORO castle kept their
vigil with more than usual care during
the dark hours of the night, to guard
against the approach of destroying tor
pedo boat which might attempt to run
out of the harbor and with one well
directed shot, sink troopship in the
depths OF the sea and send 1.-The souls of
those aboard into the realms of eternity