Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-05-31
MILES TO FLORIDA And SCHLEY IS WIRED
Santiago and Puerto Rico are Both Marked to Fall
and at Once
scHLEY FORCES THE HARBoR AT SANTIAGO

Cape Hay,ien, Hayfi, May ST.
$50 p. m-copyright.--ad-
yiceS from Hdyana say that a
heavy engagement is taxing place
al Santiago de Cuba.
AT 1T HAMMER AND ToNGs.
Cape Hay1ien, Hayli, May 81.
-5.f5 pm copwighted.- I'D
uceS just receircd from Havana
saysincc 2 O'Clock This afternoon,
the american fleet at Santiago
de Cuba has been cannonading
the batteries of Morro Castle, La
Zecapa and Punia Gorda. ut
the same time, 10 IS aQded, The
american ships hare been en-
gaged wi1h Me Spanish warShips.
The firing waS extremely heapy.
.at 5.'45 p. H., the cannonading
became 2eSS heavy against The
foriWcaai0nS but more accent
uased in the locality where the
fleets are engaged.
HARBoR FORCED.
Cape Hayiien, Hayai, May 81.
5.I5 p. m. = copyrighted.-
Hdydna ddpices Indicate that the
american fleet forced the en-
trance 10 the har6or of Santiago
de Cuba, and engagedMe Spanish
Reet.
These important dispatches were re-
ceived as The Optic goes to press. II
further information comes, our readers
shall be informed. Ed
FORWARD AT ONCE.
NEW YORK, May 31-A special to
the Tribune, from Washington, says:
The President told some callers tonight
(Monday) that he expected Commodore
Schley to attack Cervera within twenty
four hours. General Miles made no
secret before leaving Washington for
Tampa, last night, Of the immediate
departure of the army from Tampa,
though he declined to encourage any
speculations as to its destination, for
obvious military reasons.
General Miles dispelled all doubts as
to his own active part in the expedition,
by announcing that he would be able to
embark at Tampa, Wednesday, on one
of the fastest small cruisers, which will
take him quickly to the scene of opera
tlons.
The size of the force to be landed
near Santiago, it is supposed, does not
exceed 1900 men. of whom it is not
expected over 5000 will take part in the
siege, others being held in reserve for
use If extraordinary resistance is en-
ceuntered. There is confidence among
military men that the city will fall in
ten days. Most of the troops will be
quickly re-embarked on transports, and
the combined military and naval forces
will proceed directly to take possession
of Puerto Rico, being reinforced for
this purpose by additional troops from
Tampa.
WIRES KEPT HOT.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 31.-A
hot exchange of dispatches between
Commodore Schley and Washington
occurred during the last thirty-six
hours, and an important movement of
Schley's feet is expected soon. The
auxiliary cruiser Yale put in here
Saturday, receiving and sending cable
grams. The Eagle and the Harvard
bave been in Jamaica waters seyera
times. acting as dispatch boats The
Associated Press dispatch boat Dandy
was detained here from Saturday unit
Monday, by refusal of British officials
to allow her to coal, fearing 1t was 9
violation of neutrality. 1t was onl'
by energetic action of American Con
sui Snyder, that the Dandy yesterda,
received permission to take coal.
ONE EXPEDITION LANDED.
KEY WEST, Fla, May 81. = Th
steamer Florida returned here toda
from Cuba, having successfully lande
amost important expedition on tn
island. Nearly 400 men with pacl
train and large quantity of arms an
ammunition, sailed for Guantanamo
on the Plant line steamer Florida, th
night OF May 2l. These men an,
equipments constituted an expeditio
able to operate independently and t
defend itself against any body .
Spanish troops which might oppose i
The expedition was under comman
OF Colonel Jose Lacret, formerly Ii
Urgent commander Of Matanzss pr,