The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-26

Washington, June 25.-Interest shifted
sharply to-day from the navy depart
ment to the war department. The news
paper reports, brief and graphic, telling
of the short, bloody little engagement
between the Spaniards defending San
tiago and the rough riders, the roman
tic figures in the American army, had
aroused popular interest to high pitch.
Consequently the war department
scarcely opened for business before a
crowd of newspaper men and other in
terested persons filled the hall and the
vicinity of the bulletin boards, seeking
for some official information that would
supply data adding TO the press ac-
counts
1t was not until nearly noon when the
first cablegram came from Shafter and
then, to the disappointment OF the de-
partment, it was even more meager
than the press reports. During the
course of the day several other dis
patches were received, but they all left
something to be desired, for, being un-
der yesterdays date, they did not re-
lieve the anxiety as to what happened
yesterday evening and to-day with the
two armies separated by the short space
of mile and a half. An explanation
of this state of affairs was found in the
fact that General Shafter failed to take
with him from Tampa the splendid
field telegraph service that had been
prepared with much care by General
Greeley for just such a campaign as is
now being waged. 1t is probable that
he has already seen his error and will
avail himself of the instruments just as
soon as they can be sent to him.
'HhDTn o-in %
grief at the loss sustained by the soldiers
in yesterdays fight. Still, officials in
high places expressed themselves as
thoroughly satisfied with the result, re-
alizing that war cannot be successful
without sacrifice of life
The impression gained from one of
General Skaters dispatches is that he
is now about to delay his advance until
he has secured his artillery Such a
course will be dictated by common pru-
dence, for IL is known that the Span
iards have fortified as far as they could
advanced positions outside of Santiago
and 1t would be the height of folly 10
throw soldiers unsupported by artillery
against such works.
Unfortunately there promises to be
some delay in getting all the artillery
landed, owing to the loss on the voyage
to Santiago of the big lighter which
seemed to be necessary to transferring
the guns from the ships to the landing
pier. The navy officials have responded
promptly to the appeal of the war de-
partment and some means will be found
through the aid of the warships to ac-
celerate the landing of the supplies and
guns
During the day Secretary Alger and
General Miles held several conferences
not so much to go over the struggle of
yesterday as to consider every military
preparation for the great struggle yet to
come. AS a result, however, reinforce
ments will go forward at once, both
from Tampa and from Newport News
An expedition of 5000 men is expected to
leave Tampa within the next three
days. 1t comprises the command of
Brigadier General Snyder, the third di-
vision of the First army corps. The
stores are already going aboard the
transports, and the start of the expedi-
tion only waits the arrival of the naval
convoy. Part of the warships sent over
with Skaters expedition have been re-
leased from Admiral Sampson and are
now on their way back TO Tampa to es-
cort additional troops. Others will fol-
low and then another formidable ma
rine procession will start across the gulf
to Cuba.
Whether the battleship Indiana will
lead this expedition as IL did the last
is not definitely settled. There will be
several heavy warships, however, as
well as lighter craft. to give safe con-
duct to General Snyders division. Sim
ultaneously with this. General Henry's
division will be moving along the At
lantic coast and thence to Santiago. In
all the reinforcements from Tampa and
Newport News will be in the neighboc-
hood of 1000 or 1900 men. Drafts on
Chickamauga are likely to follow soon,
as the hurry orders recently given have
commands.
theory that ii =. not polite to take any
possible chance of a serious reverse
near Santiago. The latest information
reaching the authorities here shows
that the Spanish army Is greater than
has been estimated thus far. Lieuten-
ant Joyce of the regular army reported
to General Miles to-day. giving much
information as to the number and loca-
ton OF the Spanish troops. Before
Joyce entered the United States army
he had served with General Garcia and
had travelled over a good part of San
tiago province. He was on the ground
only a few weeks ago. leaving there
in April. and al that time he had op-
portunity TO get an accurate idea Df
the Spanish forces at the eastern end
of the island. He reports the number
al $1,000. of which 10 600 are in Santi-
ago. 10000 at Holguin and $1,000 at
ManZanillo. Once concentrated at SAN
tiago this would make a formidable
army. bu. separated by forests and
mountains the insurgents are expected