The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-01

vice has beer abandoned because the
only available Spanish warships are
with Admiral Camara, thousands or
miles away from the nearest point on
the Atlantic coast. The vessels are
already on their way southwark, nav
ing been reinforced by several of the
new torpedo boats which are particu-
larry adapted, because Of their light
draught, for blockade duty in the shall
low waters lying behind the Isle OF
Pines and Cuba.
The blockade OF San Juan. proclaim
ed today, is in reality already in eff
feet, having been initiated by Captain
Sigsbee last week when he turned back
from that port a British steamer la
den with supplies. The difficulty Of
maintaining the blockade at this port,
in the face of the Spanish forts and
three paniSh war vessels in the har-
Dor would De considerable had not
Captain Sigsbee. by disabling the
only formidable one OF these vessels.
made the task easier. AS 1t is. the
character of vessels required to main
tain the blockade at San Juan neces-
arily must be Of a type superior to the
ships required for the blockade on the
southern coast of Cuba. Probably
some such vessel as the Detroit or the
Montgomery will be assigned to the
task.
= oE o1IDDLIs
In defeating the Terror. Captain
Sigsbee has rendered a most important
service to our navy and indeed to all
navieS. He has not only deprived
SIMPSONS fleet Of apprehension OF an
attack in the rear some dark night by
his vicious little boat, but he has
demonstrated that N auxiliary cruiser
is amply able to take care of herself
against a torpedo g%unboat, showing
that the offensive power of this craft
has been very much over-rated.
It is said at the navy department
that 1t is the present intention to start
Commodore Watson's squadron from
Santiago. This, however, is subject to
Admiral SIMPSONS report upon the
condition of the vessels selected and
their needs in the matter of supplies
and equipment for the long voyage
ahead of them. If they need no more
than a be supplied from SIMPSONS
fleet they will start according to orders
from Santiago, but if further supplies
and equipment are needed, or if the
| vessels must be cleaned first, then they
probably will be sent north to Harnp-
ton Roads. Meanwhile, there is no
mistaking the earnestness of the navy
department in preparing this squad
ron for the European service.
Washington, June 29.-The opinion
prevails here that within a day or two
at most General Shafter will have be-
gun his attack upon the city of Santi-
ago proper. The important event of
the day was the generals
ment that he could take the city in
fOrty-eight hours, out at considerable
loss. Taken in connection with the an
nOuncement contained in another dis
patch that he is going to attack with
out awaiting reinforcements, it will be
seen that the officials have ground for
their expectation that the first general
engagement Of the war will begin in a
| very short time. Numerically, the op-
posing armies are not very different,
the estimate of the Spanish force be
ing placed at IA, 900 men, thoroughly
e~ntrenched and behind barbed wire
fences and blockhouses, as against
about $4,000 men under Skaters COM
mand, aided by 1000 Cubans. One Of
the gravest elements in the problem,
however. is the Spanish warships, for
unless Shafter is materially assisted
by Sampson, who might engage the
full attention Of the Spanish ships,
their fire upon the American advance
forces would be very hard to meet.
LINARES' MILITARY TACT.
The military authorities here say
that General Linares has shown great
military tact in slowly retiring during
the last few days, as he has gradually
drawn our troops away from the pro-
lection of the American ships and
brought them close to the fire of the
Spanish ships in Santiago harbOr. For
this reason, it was with relief that the
announcement was received here that
Shafter succeeded in landing all Of his
artillery. including his siege train, for
unless Sampson can be relied upon to
force his way into the harbOr and at
tack the Spanish ships the siege guns
planted on heights commanding the
bay will be the main reliance of Gen
eral Shafter in Offsetting the presence
Of the Spanish ironclads. Undoubted-
ly Shafter is animated to attack as
soon as possible by his knowledge of
the approach Of the reinfOrcements for
Linares from ManzanillO, for with this
additional force Skaters position
would be disagreeable if not perilOus,
at least until he had received rein
forcements.
The war department. received the
first definite news today as to the ap-
prOach of these Spanish reinforce
ments This was in an official dispatch
stating hat 5000 men with pack
trains and droves of animals were ad-
yanOipo from Man1anil1n md MORO IF