Evening journal., 1898-06-22
AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE.
Shaftor, sampson and Garcia Plan the
Coming Campaign.


PORT ANTONIO. Jamaica, June 22-
The fleet Of transports stopped 20 miles
away from Santiago, but transport No.
12. with General Skaters pennant fly
ing. came on. When near the flagship,
Admiral Sampson went aboard to pay
his respects.
General Shafter evidently determined
to lose no time. Fifteen minutes later
the transport headed west, with Admit
raj Sampson on board and quickly
steamed 20 miles TO Acerraderos. where
a Cuban flag on a hill indicated Gener-
al Garcia's camp.
General Garcia unfolded his plans TO
which General Shafter listened atten-
lively. He seemed struck with their
practicability and adopted them, with
some minor notifications. The navy
had other plans, but the two generals
stood together and outweighed Admiral
Sampson.
General shafter preferred to rely upon
General Garcia's minute knowledge of
the country and the positions Of Span
ish troops and defenses rather than de-
lay for further investigation. which
would necessitate delay in action" ."
the watchword of the campaign. as
shown in General Skaters rapid move
ments.
General Shafter expects to have the
city at his mercy within a week
The Second division. composed OF the
Twenty-second Fourth, Fifth, Twelfth
Seventh and Seventeenth regulars and
Second Massachusetts. has been se-
lected to make the first important land
ing.
After the conference Shafter and
Sampson returned to their boat between
two lines Of Garcia's coatless and shoe
less veterans, who presented arms in
true military fashion as the officers
passed.
Garcia has 5000 men who will play an
important part in the coming opera
tions. Skaters force here IS 10 900 men
Some sharpshooters landed Monday
night eight miles west OF Santiago 10
cooperate with the Cubans. Some ma
chine guns and mountain artillery were
also landed TO clear the hills. Garcia
captured a Spanish post on Saturday
and took - prisoners.
General Garcia's old failing, seasick-
ness, disabled him from going into the
matter extensively while he was with
Admiral Sampson. It was decided to
have a conference at the Cuban head
quarters in Acerraderos yesterday aft
enoon. Admiral Sampson and General
Shafter sent word to General Garcia
that they would meet him there, and II
is quite likely that the point at which
the troops are 10 land has been agreed
upon.
Several STAFF officers from the fleet
were notified TO accompany Admiral
Sampson and General Shafter 70 the
Cuban headquarters.
1t Is considered most likely. as indl-
Gated In former dispatches. that the
American troops will embark at the
base of the high mountain range 10 the
westward of Santiago Covering the
landing place are two low hills. of which
the Americans easily could take possess
sion. This done, field artillery can be
moved TO the tops of the hills and from
there the Spaniards can be driven into
retreat toward Santiago 1t win be
possible also from this position to de-
stroy the remaining defenses Of the har-
bor. after which the mines now protect.
ing Cervera's fleet can be removed.
When everything else Is ready. the
wreck OF the Merrlmac can be destroy
ed. the channel TO the inner harbor
opened and Admiral Sampson can drive
Cerveras ships 10 the northern side of
the bay and there capture or destroy
them. With the Spanish fleet disposed
or General Shafter can readily sur
round Santiago and take the city.
Information received from shore Mon.
day shows that the Spanish are gettine
into more desperate straits daily. Food
now is SO scarce in Santiago that i0l
Spanish cavalrymen have been dis
mounted in order that their horses mn,
be used for food
A man on the Massachusetts dice
Monday night. His body was buried a
sea.