The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-30

washington, June -5.-lne ppiHi1H
prevails here that within a day or two
at most General Shafter viii have begun
his attack upon the city of Santiago
proper. The important event Of the day
was the generals announcement that
he could take the city in As hours, but
at considerable loss. Taken in connec-
ton with the announcement contained
in another dispatch that he is going to
attack without awaiting reinforcements,
IL will be seen that the officials have
grounds for their expectation that the
first general engagement Of the war will
begin In n very short time.
Numerically the opposing armies are
not very different. the estimate Of the
Spanish force being placed at 1900
men thoroughly entrenched and behind
barbed wire fences and blockhouses, as
against about $4,000 men under SHAFT
ter's command. aided by 1000 Cubans.
one Of the gravest elements in the
problem. however. is the Spanish war
ships. for unless Shafter il materially
assisted by Sampson, who might en-
warships. their fire upon the American
advance would be very hard to meet.
The military authorities here say that
General Linares has shown great MILL
tary tact in slowly retiring during the
last few days. as he has gradually
drawn our troops from the protection
Of the American ships and brought
them close 10 the fire of the Spanish
ships I'm Santiago harbor. For this rea-
son 70 was with relief that the announce
ment was received here that Shafter
had succeeded in landing all of his ar
tillery. including his siege train. for.
unless Sampson can he relied upon To
force his way into the harbor and at
tack the Spanish ships. the siege guns
planted on heights commanding the bay
viii be the main reliance OF General
Shafter in offsetting the presence of the
Spanish ironclads. Undoubtedly Shafter
| - animated to attack as soon as possi-
| bic by his knowledge Of the approach Of
the relnforcements for Linares from
| Manzanillo. for. with this additional
| force, Skaters position would be dis
| agreeable, II not perilous. at least until
| he had received reinforcements.
The war department received the first
| definite news to-day Of the approach of
| Spanish reinforcements. This was m
an official dispatch stating that 5000
men, with pack trains and drovys OF
animals. were advancing from Manzan-
| lilo and were "A miles from Santiago. II
| has been known through reports from
! Lieutenant Joyce. made 10 Genera
| Miles. that the Spanish have 10000 mer
at Mauzanillo and 10000 at Holguin
| and every precaution has been taken tc
| guard against their advance from either
! quarter The official report to-day
| showed that 1000 of those az ManzanlllC
| had covered half the distance to San
| tiago. and Il Is the belief of military Off
| clals here that General Pando is max
| ing n similar advance with his l0,00'
| men from HolCuin. These advances
now practically unopposed. are REGARDED
as one of the most serious phases o.
the sltua tion. There is the further ele
| ment 10 which the military authorities
are giving careful attention. that on
| man entrenched behind earthworks o
| In rifle pits, is worth three men in tn
| open. IL Is said that the battles o
Charlottesville and Spottsylvanla af
forded the most direct proof on thl
point.
II was announced at the war depart
! ment that by their reports 1000 soldier
| should be leaving Tampa to-day to joii
| Shafter They will be three or fou
days on the voyage. and 1t Is probabi
that II is this force that General Shafte
refers to as likely to arrive too late 70
/ his acton.
The navy department to-day gave on
| a message from Admiral Dewey. whicl
was brought to Hong Kong by the Nc
| Culloch. So that II must have left Cavit
| on the 23d. The message made no ref
| erence to the landing Of German ma
| rines. and the officials here are satisfied
that Germany Is acting i'm good faitl
| and according to the rules Of neutrality
The report that the Egyptian govern
ment had finally refused TO coal Cam
| ara's fleet at Port Said has not yet bee
| officially confirmed. but its accuracy
not Questioned There is still som
1ubt whether this refusal in itself wi
operate to prevent the further move
ment Of the Spanish squadron towar'
the Philippines. as Madrid adv!ces al
lege a purpose on the part of the span
ish government To send additional col
liers with the expedition TO overcome IN
refusal Of the various points along tn
way to the Philippines TO supply Goa
There is a strong impression. however
that the Spanish government will ava
itself of the pretext Afforded by this re
fusal 10 turn back 20 Spain.