The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-05

tNAAtB ''D
with all the country surrounding San
tiago. He shows that the two possible
lines Of retreat are: First, by the o
to Ell CObre; or, second, by following
the line Of the SabanillO and Marato
railroad. The first line will be easy
for about the first ten miles, or as far
as Ell Cobre, but after that the coun-
try is mountainous and barren and
would not afford subsistence, and the
pass TO reach the central plateau of
the island would be difficult. The
more likely line of retreat will be along
the line of the above mentioned rail-
road crossing the Sierra Maestro at
Ell Cristo, a pass 600 feet above the
sea, ten miles north of Santiago,
which is the lowest pass through the
Sierra Maestro for many miles. The
country back of this is a rolling plat
eau of rich agricultural land. At Ma
nacas on the railroad, two miles north
Of the pass, is an iron bridge, consist
ing of a series of thirty-feet spans on
iron treStle bents. This point is about
two miles beyond the CristO summit,
and just above this bridge would be
the most feasible method of prevent
ing the approach of General PandO's
Spanish troops to relieve Santiago. It
is probable that if the Spaniards re-
treat by this road they will make a
stand on the plateau at Ell Cristo and
hold the pass of FL CristO. The only
other pass through the mountains near
this point is at Escandel summit,
about six miles in a straight line east
of Ell Cristo pass. Escandel summit is
1920 feet above the sea and is reach
ed from Santiago via Caney. The road
from Santiago to Caney is fairly good,
being wide enough for vehicles. Be
tween Caney and Escandei the road
which is no more than a trail, ascends
the mountains and is very winding and
broken. Beyond Escandel across the
range the country is heavily tilnbered
and broken n the roads are not
good. It is an ideal country for am
bush. This is probably the only pass
through which the Spanish position
could be turned, should the Spanish
troops occupy the CristO plateau and
pass.
The railroad has been fortified by
a line of b~lockhouses protecting the
bridges, and certain zones of cultiva-
ton inclOsed between these forts
have been planted during all the time
of the war and would afford a sup
ply for the army for a certain time.
In the meantime sweet potatoes could
be planted which, in three months,
would ripen. These zones of cultiva-
ton exist along the road as far as
San Luis, at which point there is con-
~ Ccl4N1 III IL oNIDtks yin
the other branch (the Sabanilla
branch) the zones of cultivation ex-
tend as far as SOngO.
YET ARRIVED.
While not prOlix in his utterances,
Admiral Dewey loses no opportunity
to keep the navy department inform
ed of the state of affairs at Manila.
A IiSnatcb oo,,3a fvOn, biro tnIav IL tod
Cavite, Inc 9th, reporting that con-
ditiOns remain practically unchanged,
but not recording the arrival of his
reinfOrcements. He had some other
matters of interest to communicate,
but they were not of a character that
could be properly made public at this
stage. For one thing, it can be stat
ed, that Admiral Dewey has been
particular to avoid committing his
government to any particular line of
action respecting the future of the
Philippines, or to do anything that
would embarrass General Merritt in
framing a policy to meet the needs of
the case when he arrives. He has
made no official pledges to the insur-
gent leader, although he has nOt hest
tated to openly praise his good poll
tics, and his accomplishments.
THE CADIZ FLEET.
SO far as the navy department
knows, the Cadiz feet is still at Port
Said. unable to coal. but it is taking
10 chances on their course and is
steadily pressing the arrangements
for the dispatch to the Mediterranean
of the eastern squadron under Com
mOdOre Watson. An evidence of this
purpose was made visible today in
the packing and forwarding of boxes
of charts of all the waters likely to
be traversed by Watson's squadron
directly to the ships off Santiago.
Washington, July flowing to the
many conflicting reports of the losses
of the American troops in yesterdays
engagement, it has been thought best
by the war department officials to
make public the text of General Shat
ter's last dispatch received his morn
ing at 4 o'clock. 1t is as follows:
"Siboney, via Playa del Este,
July LIST.
"Adjutant General, Washington:
Il fear I have underestimated to-
| days casualties. A large and thor
| oughly equipped hospital ship would
wounded. The chief surgeon says he
has use for forty more medical Off
GERS. The ship must bring a launch
and boats for conveying the wounded
"SHAFTER,
Major General, Commanding"
Immediately upon receiving Genera
/ Skaters telegram the genera
of the army called on DR.. Van Reypen
the surgeon general of the navy and
the two held a long consultation re
garding the curse to be taken. For
tunately the ambulance ship Solace /:
now in the vicinity of General Shat
ter's army and she will be utilized fol
any emergency cases which may arise
While the navy ship Solace is desig
mated primarily for the use of tn,
fleet, she will be put at the disposition
of the army whenever that may 81
necessary, and the navy and arm!
ships will be used INTERCHANGEABLE
The Solace is fully as well adapted TO
treating the wounded as her sisteI
ship of the army and has accommo
dations for several hundred men. TIL
} last heard of h Solace she was a
- IT, oohIo station from which tn,