Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-06-30
ACTIVE WARFARE ON
News from Madrid Says That Fight
Ing Has Begun at Santiago.
AMERICAN TROOPS 1OPUSH FORWARD
Admiral sampson Will Probably Force His
Way Into the Hsrbor and Take Part
In the Engagemsnt-lnsur
gents Co. Operating.

WASHINGTON, June 4.-Secretary
Alger and Gen. Miles were in confer
ence in the secretary's Office at four
o'clock yesterday afternoon when the
first Madrid bulletin, announcing
that fighting had begun, was shown
to them. The secretary read 1t aloud
with evident satisfaction, and both Of
them expressed themselves gratified
with this favorable report, coming, as
it did, from the enemy. There was no
surprise that the fighting had begun
SO soon. 1t was suggested by the re-
porter that the troops had completed
their landing only yesterday morning.
"Yes, but they have gone there to fight
and are ready to begin 1t at once" re.
piled Gen. Miles.
Secretary Alger said no word had
been received up to that hour indicat-
ing that fighting was in progress. He
had no reason to doubt, however, that
our troops had encountered the Span.
ish forces and had given good &C.
count of themselves He commented
on Admiral Cervera's cable that the
situation was critical" and that the
Spaniards had been obliged to retire,
as In strange contrast with Madrid's
claim Of Spanish victory"
Gen. Miles said that the American
troops would now push forward ag-
excessively, driving in the Spanish and
forcing them to fight. There was not
suggestion of apprehension or doubt
either with Secretary Alger or Gen.
Miles, as to what the outcome would
be. They had made their plans well
and they were confident that Gen.
Skater and his troops would be ham
mering at the gates Of Santiago before
long. The impression here Is that the
Spaniards will make their strongest
stand close to Santiago and the inner
harbor, within the range of protection
Of the guns Of the big Spanish cruisers
lying there. There is no doubt that,
until these ships are removed from the
field Of operations, the campaign
against Santiago will be conducted
against odds. The guns Of the ships
command the hills over which our SOL
diers must come to attack the town
and reach the bay, but we will soon
bring our own artillery into play.
The naval officials here believe that,
when the time comes for an attack by
land upon the town, Sampson will
force his way into the harbor and take
part in the engagement. They are sat.
isfed that the wreck of the Merrimac
does not completely block the channel,
and say that If Sampson does not come
in the Spanish fleet is likely to make
a desperate effort to get out The
mines are to be considered In such q
case, but it Is believed that once Moro
castle Is taken by the combined at
tack Of the soldiers and feet these
distractions can be easily removed
with the experience gained in Guam.
tanamo bay.
The only positive news coming to
the war department up to the close Of
office hours was q dispatch to Gen.
Miles from one Of his staff officers
with Gen. Shafter, and also brief
dispatch to Gen. Greedy from Lieut.,
Col. Allen. Gen. Miles dispatch stated
in substance that the landing Of
troops had been completed without
any casualties save to one Cuban SOL
der. who had his arm injured by the
bursting Of shell. The troops Of
Garcia and Rabi, about $500 In num-
Der, had met the American forces with
enthusiastic greetings. Stress was
laid upon the point that the Cubans
were well armed and well disciplined.
Gen. Garcia was confident that his
forces would be swelled to 10000 men
as soon as Santiago fell. About the
only need among the Cubans was for
shoes and quinine. The dispatch to
Gen. Greedy merely stated that pro-
gress was being made in connec ting
the military forces directly with the
war department.
During the day orders were issued
to the entire division, comprising the
newly created command Of Brig. Gen.
Guy V. Henry, for the speedy departure
to reinforce Gen. Shafter at Santiago.
The plan is to move all Of Gen. Henry's
division on the Harvard and Yale,
these ships to make two round trips.
The first trip will carry most, If not
all, Of Gen. Duffield's brigade. The
war department allows three days for
the trip, two days to,unload the troops
and three days to return to Newport
News, making eight days. By that
time Gen. Garretson's brigade will be
at Newport News ready togo on board
the ship, and then will come the sec
ond trip taking three days. with two
days allowed for Garretsons troops tc
unload in Cuba.
Reports were current at the war de-
partment again yesterday that Gen.