The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-04

effect of three days SHOCK Oh dFlh>'
Definite, positive information was III
hand. that Santiago had been literally
torn to pieces. and that i'll the wreck ana
ruin of demolished buildings the Span
ish casualties numbered fully l,OOO. rms
was a fitting offset to any qualms raised
by the reports from the American lines.
This information came from one OF the
foreign consuls stationed at Santiago,
who reported to the representative of his
country in Washington the fearful havoc
within the city wrought by the Amef!-
can army and the feet The distress OF
the city. even before the battle was
clearly shown by the action of tins con
sui in serving out rations of one haIi
pound daily to his fellow cOuntrymen, Il
few hundred i'll number, for the last
month. Evidently there was no food 10
buy: the Spanish military forces had
taken every available pound; only by
this official distribution of ratlons to the
foreign colony could they be kept from
starvation. Then came the brief but
graphic recital of the terrible effect OF
the American attack from land and sea.
The bursting shells from our fleet had
done the greatest damage inside of the
city. Buildings were riddled with rifle
shot. and mown down with the huge
shells and solid proiectiles from the
ships.
Most serious of all. the Spanish COM
mander, General Iinares, occupying Il
place similar to that of General Shafter
in the American army, was seriously
wounded.
The last fact had been grudgingly ad-
mitted from Madrid, but the report
reaching here left no doubt as to the Sc
robustness of this feature. With it was
the further fact that the Spanish casual
ties, even behind entertainments, ran up
to n thousand, and was equal to that Of
the fearless men who fought in the open.
With all the lights furnished on the
situation, official and unofficial, direct
and indirect, it was apparent that each
side had suffered terribly, with now a
period of lull for those in responsibility
to measure their conditions. bury their
dead, care for their wounded, and pre-
pare for the graver conflict yet to come.
The President and his war advisors re-
mained calm throughout the trying ex-
perience of the day. All their attention
was directed to the work of prepara-
ton. The future movements of General
Shafter are well established They had
it was deemed advisable not to make
tais portion public, as il would serve to
advise the enemy of the American plans
1t can only be said that Gen. Shafter $
forces will be strongly and favorabIy
located with the guns Of the
American ships, serving as an
additional protection to their front Re
Inducements will be hurried to them.
w Ea
whether it be storm or seige. With
Santiago partially wrecked and filled
with thousand dead and wounded. the
condition there is desperate, even criti
cal There is little likelihood of any
Spanish sOrties in force under such
circumstances. but the possibility is still
open that the Spanish garrison may seek
relief by evacuating the city and retiring
to the mountain paths to the north: Blu
the American plan is for offensive, vigor
ous action and with the full resources
Of men and arms at the command of
the country. AS Gen. Miles said 10000
men if need be. will move on Santiago: if
more are needed. then it will be 10000
The lesson of Santiago has served only
to klndle greater earnestness through
out every avenue of official life at the
national capital and there is a deep set
| determination to meet heroic conditions
| with heroic treatment.
Following the receipt Of Gen. Shafter's
| telegram. there was a hurried war can
| ference at the White House. Secretary
| Alger accompanied by Gen. Corbin,
reached there few minutes before |
O'Clock. and they were Immediately clos
eted with the President. Secretary Al.
ger brought the Shafter dispatch with
| him and also a map and other data ne
cessary for the important meeting about
| to take place. Gen. Corbin was with
the President and the Secretary for a
few minutes, and then hurried back to
the War Department where he made
public such portion Of Gen. Shafter's
| lispatch as was compatible with the pub
Iic interest. Assistant Secretary Meikle-
John, who has a thorough knowledge OF
the transport service. was also hastily
summoned and reached the White House
ibout O'Clock. The conference lasted
Cor some time.
Gen. Miles, who also was at the White
House. said that reinforcements would
| he rushed to the assistance of Gen
Shafter and if necessary these would