The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-12


but Shells From the American
ships Finally DisIodsed Them
A Spanish Gunboat Cam. tn a..
RESCUE, but Did Not Stay Long
ADMIRAL Sampson Now Has a Har-
DOR and Base of Supplies and
Troops Can Be Landed Mt VIII
KINGSTON, Jamaica, June IL
news was received here today to the
eHect that force Of American marines
mas landed on the shores of Guantana-
mo bay, and that the Stars and Strines
are now floating from a Spanish f1ae-
staff. ''as-
WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE navy
department has posted O bulletin an
nounc1ng, officially, the landing of ma
rnes In force at Guantanamo, Cuba.
OFF GUANTANAMO, Cuba. Friday
June III (via Port Antonio, June ID
SlNhundred marines have pitched their
tents about the smoking ruins of the
outer notifications Of Guantanamo.
and the Stars and Stripes for the first
time, float on Spanish Flagstaff In
Cuba.
10 Capt. Clark and the battleship
oregon belongs the honor of accom-
phsalng the first successful landing of
the war. Forty marines from the bat
tIesh1p went ashore this morning, and
occupied the left entrance of the bay
until the troop ship Panther arrived
with 6O0 marines. These, under COM
nand OF Lieut.. Col. r. w. Huntington,
arrived at 3 o'clock, and within half
an hour they had burned the buildings
OF the Spanish camp, and had set fire
to the miserable little village which
crouched on the beach under the hill
ton Of Guantanamo.
Ine whole operation of silencing the
guns and landing the forces was as
easy as placing a Sunday school pic
nie. The Marblehead, backed by the
Vixen and Dolphin, opened fire on the
earthworks yesterday. The shores to
the right of the entrance were lined
with guns and rife pits, but the Span
iards stampeded after firing a few
shots.
SPANISH GUNBoAT FLED.
I The city Of Guantanamo lies four
miles up the bay. and little Spanish
gunboat came down to help the shore
batteries. But she stayed just long
enough to turn around Numerous
shots were fired by the Spaniards, but
not one landed and no Americans were
injured.
The main fort lies within the city
limits and is still to be reduced, but it
is not in a difficult position, and the
American officers say it can be taken
in fifteen minutes when desired.
The Marblehead Dolphin, Vixen and
two colliers have been of the entrance
of the harbor for several days and
yesterday morning they sailed into the
channel. A mile further up they open
ed fire, sending fifty shots at the forti-
fications on the left. The hills on the
right of the entrance were deserted.
There are no defenses on the right hand
side of the harbor.
No attempt was made to land until
the Oregon arrived. Then forty marines
were sent ashore. They found evidences
of very hasty departure of the Span-
-iards Watches, hammocks and am
munitfon were scattered about the
earthworks, and a Spanish flag was
found on one Of the rife pits The little
detachment of marines held the place
until the Panther arrived, when they
were recalled and the work of disem-
barking commenced. The first boat
load had scarcely landed when the vii
lage burst into flames. Company 3,
under Lieut.. Hall, was the first ashore,
and without the loss OF a moment, the
column started up the steep, rocky
hillside, to the earthworks For an
hour brown column of marines filed
up the narrow path, eventually taking
up position at the top of the hill. AS
soon as the American flag was swung
out to the breeze from the fagstaff
of the captured Spanish camp, the Ore
gon steamed away to rejoin the fleet off
Santiago.
The marines will hold the position
until the arrival Of the expected troops.
in the meantime scouting in the vicln-
ity, with the Marblehead, Vixen and
Dolphin lying by to protect them.
BASE OF SUPPLIES.
Rear Admiral Sampson now has a
harbor and base of supplies on the
south side of the island, and troops
can be landed at will.
The troop ship Panther reached the
fleet off Santiago early today
On her way over the Yosemite fired
a dozen shells into the port of Bal
quiri, but received no response.
Guantanamo is about forty miles
east Of Santiago de Cuba and is a
splendid location for a base Of supplies
for the blockading fleet.
1t is understood that the island Of
Cuba is entirely cut off from cable
communication with the outside world.
Report here has it that the cableship
Adria cut the cable at Santiago on
Monday and that the same day the
ST. Louis cut the cable running from
Guantanamo to the Mole StSNicholas,
Hayti. She was interrupted by shells
from the shore, but the Marblehead
sent several shells at the soldiers and
scattered them.
Information has been received here
by way Of Port au Prince that a large
force of Americans landed yesterday On
the shores of Guantanamo bay near
La Caimanera, and 1t is understood
the cable terminus at that point is In
the possession of the Americans and
that every effort will be made to at
once reopen communication with New
York. via Cape Haytien. A force Of
cable repairers may be sent from Cape
Haytien as soon as steamer can be
sent here to take them over.