The herald., 1898-06-20
SECRET LANDING PLACE
SHOULD BE REACHED By GEN.
sHAFTER TODAY
NO FEARS OF SPANISH SHIPS
Campaign Against Santiago Will Be
Sharp Short and Decisive-Our
Men Well and Strong
Associated Press Special Wire


NEW YORK, June ia special to the
Times from Washington says:
The capture of Santiago may turn out
to be easier than was expected, but the
preparations have been made upon the as
sumption that the Spanish will make re-
sistance equal to that which would be made
by the same number of American troops
holding like position. But the Spanish
will be weaker than General Shafter and
the fleet combined, while late reports about
the activity and efficiency of the insur-
gents lead army men to hope that their as
sistance will be of some value.
While there is not much anxiety here
concerning General Shafter and his army
there is a universal desire to hear of his
arrival and of his successful landing.
Army and navy men agree in the opinion
that If the army reaches Santiago or the
point at which it is intended to land it, be-
fore Monday, or even Tuesday, it will have
done very well. The transports would not
sail at high speed, some of them may have
been detained, and as the fleet would
keep together in order to afford the slow
est ships the benefit of convoy, it is con-
ceivable that the expedition might not
reach Santiago until tomorrow or next
day.
Transports Land Today
General Shafter was rather expected to
run ahead OF the fleet and the troops and
to arrive at Santiago or Guantanamo some
what before the other vessels, taking the
risk, which is not regarded as great, Of
meeting with Spanish cruisers.
The assumption by naval officers is that
6o W pft thot ind Ia ~,
reduced by sending one of the convoy ves-
sells along with the Segurcania as guard
for the commanding general
One officer of the army who has seen q
great deal of service, and who has hig;,
opinion of the ability of the United States
army, expresses the opinion that the cam
paign against Santiago will be short one,
and that it will not be superior fighting
ability alone that will give the victory TO
the men under General Shafter. Although
'the United States forces are not all prop
erly clad, most of the men have good shoes.
all have plenty of food, and they have
medical attention.
Spanish Troops Weak
The case is quite different with the Span
ish soldiers. Their commissary is bad, ow-
ing to the Indifference of the officers to the
welfare of the men, with whom they make
no sacrifices. Except in garrisons unusu-
ally well taken care of, the hospital service
Is inadequate and to that indifference is
to be attributed the great mortality of the
Spanish troops This officer said the same
conditions are found I'M the districts where
Spanish military habits are followed. The
United States forces will be superior as
much for the reason that they are fed and
paid as for their greater energy as a race.
Landing Place Secret
The war department still keeps secret the
exact point of the landing of the military
expeditions to Santiago. 1t may be the first
harbor, and it may be at the last. Some
suggest that there Is reason to- believe that
both east and west approaches may be
made. The early reports from General
Shafter following his landing and obser-
walton of the situation are expected to give
the department. an idea of the probable
Duration of the campaign. That informa-
tioni will also instruct the department as to
whether plans already adopted provide a
sufficient number of men to do the work
If not a sufficient number whatever II
may be, will be hurried forward to assure
complete success at the earliest possible
time.