The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-20

New York, June 20.--A 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
assumption that the Spanish will make
resistance equal to that which would
be made by the same number of Amer
lean troops holding a ike position. But
the Spanish will be weaker than Cen
eral Shafter and the fleet combined,
while late reports about the activity
and efficiency of the insurgents lead
army men to hope that their assistance
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 success
full landing. Army and navy men
agree in the opinion that if the army
reaches Santiago, or the point at which
il is intended to land it, before Mon
day, or even Tuesday, it will have done
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
slowest ships the benefit OF convoy, 1t
is conceivable that the expedition might
not reach Santiago until tomorrow or
next day.
General Shafter was rather expected
to run ahead of the fleet and the
troops. and to arrive at Santiago or
Guantanamo somewhat 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 any danger OF
that kind would be greatly reduced by
sending one OF the convoy vessels along
with the Seguranca as a guard for the
commanding general.
One officer of the army, who has
seen a great deal of service and who
has high opinion OF the ability of the
United States army, expresses the
opinion that the campaign 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
properly clad, most of the men have
good shoes, all have plenty of food,
and they have medical attention The
case is quite differ ent with the Spanish
soldiers. Their oommissariat is bad,
owing TO the Indifference of the officers
to the welfare of the men. and to that
Indifference is to be attributed the
great mortality of the Spanish troops.
This officer said the same conditions
are found in districts where Spanish
military habits are found. 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.
The war department still keeps Sc
cret the exact point of the landing of
the military expedition to Santiago. 1t
may be at the west harbor and it may
be at the east. 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 OBJ
servation of the situation are expected
to give the department an idea of the
probable duration of the campaign.
That information will also instruct the
department as to whether plans al
ready adopted include a sufficient
number of men TO do the work. If not,
a sufficient number, whatever it may
be, will be hurried forward to assure
complete success at the earliest posi-
BILE time.