Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-06-23

Washington, June II. - Like to the
beleaguered at Lucknow came the well
come news to the navy department
that the little band of American ma
rines who had planted the flag on
Crest Hill and were defending it night
AMI day against heavy odds, were not
only safe, but were strongly reinforced
by 1900 Cubans from the commands
of Garcia and Rabbi and were now
strong enough to more than hold their
own. 1t was disclosed in dispatch
from Admiral Sampson and brought
much relief to naval officers. The
early reports had indicated that the
marines were surrounded and it was
feared that they might be compelled
to return to the ships before Gen.
Skaters invading army reached there
on Friday. The coming of the Cuban
forces seems to. have been in the nick
Of time, and the naval officials give the
fullest credit to the timeliness Of this
Cuban cooperation. The adlniraps
dispatch stated that the condition Of
the marines was 'entirely satisfac-
tory" which assurance, although
brief, was enough to relieve officials
here Of the fears they had entertained.
But probably the most significant
feature Of the admiral's dispatch was
the statement that the Cuban general,
Rabbi, had occupied AcerraderOs, only
eight miles from Santiago, and practi-
cally suburb of the Spanish strong
hold. 1t was the
Execution of Plan
arranged in Washington some weeks
ago when two of the staff officers Of
Gen. Garcia came here to confer with
Gen. Miles. At that time Garcia and
Rabbi were at Rayamo, in the west
ern part Of Santiago province, and
more than 100 miles northwest Of
Santiago de Cuba. Admiral Samp-
sons dispatch showed that Rabbi and
his force has made a complete circuit
of Santiago de Cuba, and, coming up
to the south of it, has occupied Acer-
raderos. This is looked upon as a fine
military stroke, for Acerradercs is the
port where iron wharves will afford
facilities for unloading the heavy ar
tillery carried by Gen. Skaters in.
vading army. The news also indicated
to the authorities here that the Span
ish garrison at Santiago has practical
ly retreated inside the city proper, CIV
ing up the outlying towns. Admiral
Sampson also states that Gen. Garcia
is cooperating with the American
forces. Whether this means that
amo is not quite clear, but if he has,
the joint forces of Garcia and Rabbi
will make 5000 to 5000 seasoned Gu
bans recently armed with Springtelds
as bushwhacking guerrilla force to
aid the American troops. From
sources other than the dispatch of Adj
miral Sampson the navy department
has been Informed that 500 Cubans
were
Rendering Efficient Aid
to the marines at Crest HILL Now that
Rabbi and Garcia are on the scene
this 500 will be swelled to thousands.
The news Of the routing with severe
losses of the Spanish guerrillas and
the capture Of their water supply by
the marines and Cubans had not been
received up to the close of the depart
ments, but it is felt here that it will
make the Spaniards very cautious and
enable our forces to get much needed
rest. In making his march Rabbi has
crossed the line of communication be-
tween the Spanish commander Gen.
Pando, at Holguin, and the Spanish
forces at Santiago de Cuba. This fact
makes it clear that Santiago is not
likely to get reinforcements from
Gen. Pando. In circling around San
tiago to reach Acerraderos, Rabbi, it is
believed here. has also established it
as fact that the lines Of communica-
ton and relief to Santiago are inter-
rupted and practically cut off in all di-
rections. A disagreeable impression
has been created among officials here
by the refusal Of the Spanish officials
to carry out their early offers for the
exchange Of Hobson and his associ-
ates. The good faith of the first offers
are now being questioned and the I'M
preston is growing that the Spanish
are Indirectly endeavoring to hold
Hobson as valuable prisoner.