The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-01

at the close of the day was said by Sec
retary Alger to be such as to warrant
him in entertaining the expectation of
important news at any moment. There
were two parties to a battle, and Ii
might be precipitated by either side,
and no one here knew what the Spanish
disposition was. Nor is much more
known respecting General Skaters
plans of attack, although in his mes
sages of yesterday he indicated a pur-
pose to move early on the enemy, as
shown by his declaration that rein
forcements could not reach him before
he offered battle.
Secretary Alger was very much graf
ified when he learned to-day that di-
rect telegraphic communication had
been established between Washington
and General Skaters general head
quars at Siboney. Heretofore all mes
sages from the general have been de-
layed "a hours owing TO the necessity of
sending them across rough country to
reach the cable station. The loss of
so much time might be vital in. cases of
urgent need for reinforcements. or of
ammunition and supplies. The opinion
is held here that the navy will cooper
ate in the attack on Santiago, and that
to that end part of Skaters force is to
move Immediately upon MORO castle.
10 capture the forts and to enable the
naval launches to open the gateway in
to the harbor by relieving the mines.
The experience of the vessels while
in Guantanamo harbor in pulling up
the mines there is expected very much
to facilitate the work at Santiago. No
telegram came to the war department
to-day from General Shafter, and the
understanding here is that he is en-
ploying his time to the best advantage
in taking forward his artillery and
making all ready for the final assault
on Santiago. 1t is not known how far
the Spanish reinforcements have ad-
vanced since yesterday. but General
Shafter has full knowledge of their
movements. and it is believed is not
likely to delay his attack until they
have strengthened the garrisons at
Santiago by uniting with Linares.
The second expedition from Tampa
to reinforce Shafter appears to have
encountered almost as many difficulties
as the original expedition in getting
ready. 1t was confidently expected
here to-day that start would be made
from Tampa last Monday, but one diff
Guilty after another has arisen to re-
tard the movements, so that it was
with a feeling of relief that news came
to the department from Tampa that
the flagship of the expedition, the Hud-
son. had swung out into the stream
and was ready to lead the procession of
troops. which 1t is believed by this time
are under way, bound for Santiago. 1t
is calculated that the second INSTALL
ment of the renforcements dispatched
to Shafter from Camp Alger via steam
er from Newport News reached him
to-day on the Harvard. and the steamer
Yale is expected at Newport News day
after tomorrow after returning from
her first trip with Duffields soldiers, to
take more reinforcements. probably in
Guiding Garrettson's battalion. The
department is thoroughly satisfied with
the success attending this mode of
transporting the troops from Camp Al
ger, having found 1t to be not only
much more economical than the COM
bined rail and water route via Tampa,
hut more expeditions. The steamers
will be further availed of in Pursuance
with Secretary Alger's intention to con-
tinue to dispatch reinforcement after
reinforcement to Shafter until ne has
an overpowering force at his command.
The secretary believes that no ground
is lost in this way, for If there Is an
oversupply of troops at Santiago. they
can be easily used elsewhere. Major
General Coppinger is not going to San
tiago with any of these additional
forces. He is senior to General Shafter
and III sent TO Santiago by virtue of the
army regulations. would assume COM
mand Of the army in front of the place.
Therefore il is likely that he will be re-
served for the command of the Porto
Rican expedition.
1t was announced at the navy de-
partment this afternoon that the Span
ish Cadiz squadron had paid the heavy
Suez canal tolls and was about to pro-
ceed eastward through the canal,
though this statement was probably
erroneous. in view of the later reports
to the press. indicating that the Span
ish vessels were stopping for repairs.
The advices only hastened preparations
making for the departure of Commo-
dore Watson's eastward squadron. The
commodore has reported to the navy
department his arrival off Santiago and
is in consultation with Admiral Samp-
son respecting the details of the cruise,
which. It is said. will occupy fully four
months. provided the war endures that
length of time. The delays to which