The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-13
Problem of Reaching the City With Shells
Has Been Solved.
Every Road Leading From the Place is Guarded and
the Escape Of the Enemy Seems Impossible.
The Terrible Battery Of the Brooklyn.

Kingston. JAM, July ia concerted
movement has been made by the United
States army and navy against the city
OF Santiago. which the American officers
here believe will result in the immedi-
ate fall Of the city. IL Toral has not
skipped already. The navy had the fol-
lowing problem presented to it: What
is the best manner OF effectively bonn
harding a city distant four and a half
miles, and concealed from view by a
range of hills ESQ feet high at its lowest
part?" The problem has been satisfac-
torily solved. So IL the army hereafter
never fired a shot and merely guarded
the roads. the navy could make Santiago
untenable, IL. indeed. II did not totally
destroy 1t In a few days.
Tuesday morning General Toral sent
out reply 80 General Skaters second
demand for She unconditional surrender
OF Santiago, made by the latter Sunday
referred to his refusal to accede to the
American demand on Sunday and again
reiterated his determination to resist.
The volunteers who are being hurried
on to the front are being located along
the right center In the position which
had been occupied by General Lawtons g
division, while the latter has moved
forward, extending our front until IL
almost touches the road at Caimenes.
over which General Toral would have to
retreat IL he should now be foolhardy
enough TO make the attempt
The Cubans under General Garcia took
Caimenes without opposition Monday
night, and have entertainments on either
eide Of the road. The Americans are
now in position to strike the enemy on
the left flank and roll ii up. making the
Spanish entrenchments north of the city
untenable.
During the bombardment from the
sea Sunday the army extended its lines
and drew closer TO the city, so that at
noon Monday every trail leading out OF
the city we guarded and the escape of
the Spanish soldiers seemed impossible.
The only way they could get out OF the
city was to ferry across the bay to the
western side, Of the harbor, and even
then they could not get away without
encountering American troops During
the time the warships were lombard
Ing the batteries Of artillery on the hills
facing the city shelled the entrench-
ments and received but light response.
The American sharpshooters also sent
In deadly fire, and the Spaniards fell
back TO their last entertainments, Of
fering but little resistance. A Spanish
battery on the left OF the town, engaged
by Capron's battery, fired only few
shots, but a battery on the right fired
spiritedly until a guncotton shell from
Woods dynamite gun exploded directly
In front OF it, tearing up two trees and
dismounting a gun. II was the last
shot Of the afternoon and was greeted
with cheers. Two men In General
Kents division were killed by shell
and several were wounded. Sergeant
Jefferson and Private ST. Clair of troop
B. Ninth cavalry, are among the wound
ed.
Two ridiculous gallery plays were
made by Spanish officers which excited
amusement in the American line. Loud
talking was heard from the first line Of
the Spanish entrenchments. An in
terpreter was called and soon came in
on a run to report that a Spanish Of
ficer was addressing his men, urging
them to stand fast for the honor of
Spain, as the morrow would be the last
day OF fighting, for the American army
would be wiped out the first thing in the
morning. Faint cheering followed,
much less distinct than the officers
voice. The American sharpshooters
ruthlessly fired in the direction Of the
Spanish line. and the hero who was
going to wipe out the American army
made a quick dive for the trenches, from
which no Spanish heroes have yet
emerged.
A Spanish deserter who came 10 our
lines for food said: "The Spaniards are
as good fighters as the Americans and
II we had food and cigarets in abun-
dance we would fight forever"
Many shells from the ships burst In
the northeast part OF the city. which IL
Is difficult TO see from the American
lines. 1t Is impossible to say what ef-
ftct they had. Several burst In the CEN
ter OF the town, with very great effect.
One shell, of whose action a good view
was had from San Juan hill, burst I'm a
small street. When the atmosphere
cleared II seemed as II the entire street
had been blown out OF existence. A