The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-03
A QUICK BLOW.
IL was Demanded by the E~siEencies of
the Situation.

IL was Dem0ndeu by the ExtKenciee oil
the Situation.
Copyright lSs by Associated Press.
Santiago de Cuba, June 30. 2 p. m,
by the associated press dispatch boat
Wanda. TO Port Antonio. Jamaica. July
AFTER a two days visit to the Gu
ban lines and outposts by a correspond
ent of the associated press, there has
developed a situation which. IL not
broker by a vigorous and successful
attack on Santiago, may result in caus-
ing much more serious work than has
been anticipated with the Spanish
forces hat have retired from the vicin-
ity of A~cerraderos on the west and Bal
quiri on h east to join General
Linares. The forces in Santiago and
within the fortified defenses of the city
now number IL 900. 900 regulars and
1000 volunteers. Concerning the latter.
h Cubans allege that they will not
fight with n heart but Will lay down
their arms. According to Spanish SOL
diers captured during the engagements
at Guantanamo. half the force of men
on the Spanish warships had been land
ed, with all the rapid-fire guns. This
would make a total force in the city Of
$500 men. in addition TO the protec-
ton from the earthworks and the forts
and the assistance of the ships i'm the
harbor.
To meet this force, or at least TO in
wade its stronghold, the American COM
manders now have IL 800 men and 1000
Cubans, the latter to prevent. II posi-
BILE, the flank movements of the Span
iards. Marching from Manzanillo. 40
miles west OF Santiago. and having
been on the IA for six days, quite
well advanced now in his progress. is
General Pando. with seven battalions,
a~ggregating $500 men. To oppose him
- o. -- 90
Cubans. lying In wait IL miles from
Santiago, and on two Dads.
Now. of course. 1t would be perfectly
possible for General Pando to AXE his
column far to the north and make a
j%uncture with the Spanish troops sup
posed to be on the way from Holguin
and numbering, IL is said. 5000 men.
This advance from the north is being
held in check by about 1900 Cubans
under General Castillo, who claims to
hold the passes. General Castillo i'd
mitted in camp yesterday, when he was
asked what his forces would do IL
fanked, that he had not thought OF
retire.
The object of the Spanish advancing
from Manzsnillo may be to elude Rabi.
and, by enecting a junction with the
Spanish from the north. to form an
army Of 400. As a flank on the west
emu OF the american army racing the
city. General Rabi's forces. combined
with those of General Castillo. would
only give a combating force Of 1900
Cubans. and the Cubans do not hest
tate to run before Overwhelming mum
bers. MOI is that all that is menacing.
Leaving the Guantanamo camp of ma
rines and %plunging into the wood to
the westward. the associated press cor
respondent found a force Of 500 Cubans
under Colonel Peril. This force is sup
posed to be keeping 5. 400 Spanish troops
who are I'm the town of Guantanamo.
The marines are near this camp. but to
the left of IL. so that they could do
nothing TO prevent the Spaniards from
moving to the west of the flank Of the
American army. In other words, there
are to the northeast and west of the
army of invasion thanking forces Of
Spaniards comprising over $1,000 troops,
held at bay by less than 5000 Cubans,
whose fighting qualities are as vet
rather enigmatical.
In an interview with General Gar
cha, the correspondent called attention
to this situation. General Garcia re-
piled:
Il believe tina we should have been
left to the west to prevent Pando max
ing a junction with Linares. We can
do that"
In spite of his warning, General Gar
and his forces were taken to the
east and landed with the army. only
to be transported back again TO pre-
vent the very move which Garcia had
predicted. The solution Of the difficulty
evidently lies in a brilliant and quick