New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-01
IN TOUCH WITH SHAFTER
WITH THE COMMANDER AT
SANTIAGO.

close Of the day was described by Secretary
Alger as being such az to warrant him in en-
| tertaining the expectation of important news al
any moment There were two parties TO a bat
| tie. and it might be precipitated by either side.
and no one here knows what the Spanish dspo-
stion was. Nor is much more known respecting
General Skaters plan Of attack. although in
his messages Of yesterday he indicated pur-
pose to move early or the enemy. shown by
his declaration that renforcements could not
reach him before he offered battle. Secretary
Ager was very much gratiied when he learned
to-day that direct telegraphic communication
now existed between Washington and General
Skaters headquarters at Siboney heretofore
all messages from the General have been de-
layed twenty four hours, owing TO tho necessity
Of sending them across rough country to reach
The cable station. The loss Of so much time
might be vital in Of urgent need for rein
rorcemcnts or Of ammunition ard supplies The
rev station established is at Savilla in the
centre IT the present military operations II
connects with the French cable
The opinion is held here that the Navy viii
! cooperate in the attack on Santiago. and to
that end part # Skaters force ir to move
Immediately upon MORO Castle to capture the
forts and enable 'hc naval launches to open the
gateway in'o the harbor by removing the
mines The experience Of the vessels while in
/ Guantanamo Harbor in pulling up the mines
there is expected TO facilitate similar work a.
Santiago.
No telegram came 70 tho War Department to-
day from General Shafter and the understand
ing here is that he is employing his time to the
best advantage in taking his artillery and MAX
ing all ready for the final assault upor Santiago
II is not known how Ear the Spanish reinforce
ments have advanced since yesterday but Cen
/ eral Shafter has full knowledge Of their move
ments and II Is believed is not likely 70 delay
/ his attack until they have strengthened the
garrisons at Santiago by uniting with Iinares.
SECOND EXPEDITION UNDER WAY.
The second expedition from Tampa to rein
force Shaf'er appears 10 have encountered al
most a many difficulties the original expedi-
/ ton In getting away II was confidently eX-
J pocte5 here that the start would be r-ade from
Tampa last Moniay but one difficulty after an
other has arisen TO rctard tho movement. SO
that it was with feeling of reet that the news
/ came 10 the department from TAMPA that the
flagship Of the expedition. the Hudson. mad
swung on, into the stream and Vas ready 20
lead the p.oce s.oa Of transports. which it Is
I believed by this time are under way. bound for
s., 'ago.
It 10 calculated that tho second irstalmen'
/ e tAc rcinforceH-uts dispatched 20 Shafter from
r Camp Alger. by way ~ steamer from New
I port News. Va. reached him today on the
| Harvard and the steamer Yale Is expected at
Newport News ne day after tomorrow. re-
! turning from her first trip with DuGi,d's sol
dlors % take more reinforcemcnts. probably in
Guiding Garretson's battalion The Department
is thoroughly satisfied with the success attend
Ing this method OF Transporting the troops from
Camp Alger. having round n 70 be not only
much mhre economical than the combined rail
= and water route by way OF Tampa. bur more
Axpeditous The steamers will he further
/ avaIled II I'm pursuance II Secretary Alger's
/ intention ID 'ontinue to dispatch reinforcements
aftcr reluf ,ments 10 Shafter until ho has an
oy"rpovering force at his command. The Sec
/ rctarv believes that 10 ground Is los, in this
VA for II there is an overplus Of troops at
/ Santaro they can be easily used elsewhere.
+ Major General Coppingor is not 70 20 10 Santi-
ago with any Of these additional forces He is
venior - General Shafter and II sent 10 san
tIago ry virtue of the Arr,y regulations would
assume command ~ the Army in front Of that
i place Therefore IL is likely that hc viii be
reserved for the command of the Porto Rico
expedition
SANTIAGO FROM \ BALLOON
The ports from Santiago as to accomplishing
parties and efforts Of American officers to take
/ observations Of the city lead 10 the belief at
the War Department that big balloon may be
utilized by General Shafter as mems Of sur
| veyng Santiago and all the surrounding coun-
thy General Greedy. chief Of Signal Service,
sent complete balloon train with General
/ Shafter's expedition. and II is now available
for use on the field II General Shafter desires
! this mode Of observation. The balloon Is of thn
! latest make and contains when inflated 1000
! cubic feet u gas. The complete equipment Of
! gas as-making machines and apparatus for hlline
the balloon accompanies the train. An
| perienced seronaut. a major in the Signal Ser
! vice has the balloon train in charge. II is
said that observations could be taken at
| height Of several thousand feet. the balloon be
! ing anchored within the American lines. with
| continuous communication between the balloon
| and the ground by means Of telephone adjust
| rnent These balloon observations are in vogue
| with foreign military bodies. but II Is thought
| that General Shafter may not feel disposed on
| the eve of a big battle II try comparatively
new device In warfare.