The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-01
FROM S|BONEY
To WASHINGTON
Direct TeIegraphic Commu-
niCatiOn Established.
---------------------
TIME LOST BEFORE
NAVY EXPECTED TO COOPER
ATE IN ATTACK ON SANTIAGO
COMMODORE WATSON OFF FOR SANTIAGO
II is Believed that Part of Shafter's Force W il
Move Immediately Upon Moro Castle
10 Capture The Forts


Washington, June 30-The situation
at the close of the day was described
by Secretary AIger as being such as to
warrant him in entertaining the eXpecta-
tion Of important news at any moment
Secretary Alger was very much graft
fed when he learned to-day that direct
telegraphic communication now existed
between Washington and General
Shafter's headquarters at Siboney
Heretofore, all messages from the gen
eral have been delayed twenty-four
hours, owing To the necessity Of sending
them across rough country 10 reach the
cable station. The loss Of 50 much
time might be vital in case of urgent
need for reinfOrcements or OF ammuni-
ton and supplies.
The opinion is held here that the navy
will cooperate in the attack on Santiago.
and that to that end part of Shafter's
force is to move Immediately upon
Morro Castle to capture the forts and
enable the naval launches To open the
gateway into the harbor by removing
the mines. The experience Of the yes
seiS while in Guantanamo harbor in
pulling up the mines there, is expected
to very much facilitate similar work at
Santiago.
No telegram came to the War Depart
ment to-day from General Shafter.. and
the understanding here is THAI 81" il
employing his time to the best advantage
in taking his artillery and making all
ready for the final assault upon San
tiagO. 1t is not known how far the
Spanish reinforCements have advanced
since yesterday, but General Shafter has
full knowledge of theor movements and
it is believed is not likely to delay his at
tack until they nave strengthened the
garrisons at Santiago by uniting with
Linares.
The second expedition from Tampa to
reinforce Shaftcr appears to have en-
countered almost as many difficulties as
the original expedition in getting away.
1t was confidently expected here that
the start would be made from Tampa
last Monday, but one difficulty after
another has arisen TO rotard the move
ment so that it was with Il feeling of
relief that the news came to the depart
ment from Tampa that the flagship of
the expedition, the Hudson, has swung
out into the stream, and was ready to
lead the procession Of transports, which
it is believed by this time are under
way for Santiago. 1t is calculated
that the second instalmcnt of the re-
Inducements dispatched to Shafter from
Camp Alger, via steamer from Newport
News, Virginia, reached him to-day on
the Harvard, and the steamer Yale is ex
pected ut Newport News day after to-
morrow, returning from her first trip
with Duffield'S soldiers TO take other
renforcementS, probably including Gar
retsons battalion. The department is
thoroughly satisfied with the success
attending this method Of transporting
the troops from Camp Alger, having
found it to be not only much more eco
Iiomical than the combined rail and
water route via Tampa, but more eX
peditionS. The steamers will be further
ayailed of in pursuance of Secretary
Ayers intention TO continue dispatch
reinforcement after reinforcement to
Shafter until he has an overpowering
force at his command.
Major General Coppinger is not to go
to Santiago with any of these additional
forces. He is senior to General Shafter,
and if sent to Santiago by virtue of the
army regulations would assume com
mand of the army in front of that
place. Therefore, it is likely that he
win be reserved for the command of the
Porto Rcan expedition. 1t was am
nounced at the Navy Department this
afternoon that the Spanish Cadiz squad
ron has paid the heavy SueZ Canal tolls,
and was about to proceed eastward
through the canal, though this state
ment was probably erroneous, i'll view
of the latter reports to the press indi
eating that the Spanish vessels were
stopping for repairs. The advices only
hastened the preparations making for
the departure of Commodore WatsOn's
eastern squadron. The Commodore has
reported to the Navy Department his ar
rival off Santiago, and is in consulta-
ton with Admiral Sampson respecting
the details Of the cruise which it is eX-
pected will occupy fully four months,
provided the war endures that length of
time. The delays to which the Span
iards are subject at Port Said
will rebound very greatly to
the advantage of Admlrai
Dewey. if Camara is still in reality
bound for the Philippine Islands. for
they ensure the arrival of almost the
whole Of General Merritt's military
force and almost certainly the cruiser
Charleston and the monitors Monterrey
and Monadnock before the Spanish
squadron could reach Manila harbor.
The reports from Santiago as to recon
noitering parties and efforts of our of