The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-15
Copyright by Associated Press.)


Siboney, July II, Z p. m, via Kings
ton, Jamaica, July IA concerted
movement has been made by the Unit
ed States army and navy, against the
city Of Santiago de Cuba, during the
past twenty-four hours, which the
American officers here believe will re-
suit in the almost immediate fall Of
the city. The fleet lying off Aguadores,
three miles east of MORO castle, be-
gan the bombardment of Santiago on
Sunday afternoon and continued it
this morning. Notwithstanding the
fact that our ships had 20 fire at an
extreme elevation and although the
range was nearly five miles, the aim
was SO accurate that many of the
shells fell in the city and set fire to it
in four places. One shell struck ST.
Michaels church. in which a quanti-
ty of powder and ammunition was
stored and blew it to pieces.
During the bombardment from the
sea the army extended it's lines and
drew in closer to the city, so at noon
today every road and trail leading out
of the city was guarded and the es-
cape of the Spanish soldiers seemed
impossible. The only way they can
get out of the city is to ferry across
the bay to the western side of the har-
Dor and even then thy could not get
into the interior without encountering
American troops.
THE SPANISH FALL BACK.
During the time the warships were
bombarding Santiago this morning the
batteries of artillery on the hill she'll
ed the Spanish entertainments and re-
ceivd but a light response. The Amer
lean SharpShOOterS also sent in dead
ly fire and the Spaniards fell back to
their entertainments, offering but little
resistance.
The Americans suffered no loss. AT
about noon today General Shafter
communicated by signal with Rear
Admiral Sampson, requesting the lat
ter to cease firing. Then the general
sent General Wheeler into the Spanish
lines under a flag of truce, with a
message to General Toral, the Spanish
commander, reciting the fact that the
American ships had given complete
demonstration that they could throw
shells into the city and destroy it at
will; that the American troops had the
city practically surrounded and that
there were $4,000 Spanish and Cuban
refugees starving to death at Ell Ca
ney, and also pointing out that oul
army had no means of feeding them
General Shafter demanded the uncOn-
ditional surrender of the city and
coupled this demand with the state
ment that unless General Toral ac-
ceeded the assault upon the city, both
by the land and sea forces would be
renewed at once.
Several hours elapsed before any re-
ply was received from General Toral
and then he sent message to General
Shafter to the effect that the matter
was of such great Importance that he
had been obliged to refer it to the
Madrid government and that he would
send his final answer as soon as he
could receive instructions from Mad
rid
1t we Aen late in the afternoon and
Gener Shafter gave orders to all the
troops to get as much rest as possible
and be prepared to resume the attach
at any moment. No other answer haG
been received from General Toral w
to o'clock this evening.
During the time the negotiation:
We're pending Major General Miles ar
rived off Aguadores, on board the
Yale from Charleston. admiral Samp
son went on board the Yale and hel(
a conference with General Miles, the1
the latter went to Siboney, landed fo
a short while, and held telephone
communication with General Smarter
seven miles away.
General Miles will go to the from
tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.
THE NAVY'S PROBLEM.
Off Aguadores, July II. 2 p. m, via
Kingston, Jamaica, July IL. 2:l0 p. M
The United States navy has the fol
lowing problem presented to it: Wha
is the best manner of effectively bonn
harding a city distant four and hall
miles and concealed from view by &
range of hills $50 feet high at it's low
est part? The problem has been salts
factorily solved. SO, if the army here
after never fired a shot and merely
guarded the roads. the navy could
make Santiago untenable, If indeed il
did not totally destroy 1T in few
days.
In persuance of General Shafter's
request, Commodore Schley at o'clock
on Sunday afternoon, ranged the
Brooklyn. Indiana and Texas within
500 yards of the shore, at a point al
most due south of the city of Santa
go, distant little over four and half
miles The ships were about half a
mile apart. The army signal men
were on the beach opposite the ships
and also on the crest of a hill overlook
ing both the ships and the city. These
men wig-wagEed the result Of each
shot, telling the sunners If the shell
was aimed too high or too low and not
in line. Sundays fNactlce was good,
but it was better today, when the firing
was opened by the New York, which
returned from Guantanamo bay during
the night.
The New York, Brooklyn and In