The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-17

Washington, June 15.-The navy de-
! partment today posted the following
! bulletin:
Admiral Sampson reports that he
| has been reinforced by several hundred
| Cubans and that our forces at Guam
tanamo are in a very satisfactory con-
dition. The town of Aquidores has
been occupied by the troops under Cen
eral Rabbi The men under General
! Garcia are cooperating with the Amer
lean forces"
Like the relief of the beleagured at
Lucknow came the welcome news TO
the navy department this afternoon
that the little band of American ma
rines who had planted the flag on Crest
hill and We're defending it night and
day against heavy odds, were not only
safe, but We're strongly reinforced by
CubanS from the commands of Garcia
and Rabbi, and were now strong
enough to more than hold their own.
1t was disclosed in a dispatch from
Admiral Sampson and brought much
relief to naval officials.
CUBANS CAPTURE AQUIDORES.
The most significant feature of the
admiraps dispatch was the statement
that the Cuban general, Rabbi had oc-
cupied Aquidores, only eight miles
from Santiago, and practically a su-
burb of that Spanish strong hold. 1t
was the execution of a plan arranged
in Washington some weeks ago when
two of the staff officers of General Gar
cia came here to confer with General
Miles. At that time Garcia and
Rabbi were at Bayamo in the
western part of Santiago province and
more than 100 miles northeast of San
tiago de Cuba Admiral SIMPSONS
dispatch showed that Rabbi and his
force have made a complete circuit of
Santiago de Cuba and coming up on
the south of it, have occupied A,.uidores
This is looked upon as a fine military
stroke, for AquidOres is the port with
iron WharveS and will afford facilities
for unloading the heavy artillery car
ried by General Skaters invading ex-
peditiOn.
The news also indicated to the au-
thorities here that the Spanish garri-
son at Santiago has practically retreat
ed inside the city proper, giving up the
outlying towns. In making his march,
Rabbi has crossed the line of commun-
lcatiOn between the Spanish command
er, General Pando, at Holguin and the
Spanish forces at Santiago de Cuba
is not likely to get reinforcements from
General PandO. In circling around
Santiago to reach Aquidores, Rabbi, it
is believed here has also established il
fact that the lines of communica-
tion and relief to Santiago are inter
rupted and practically cut off in all di-
rectiOns. =,
NO THIRD CALL FOR TROOPS.
Secretary Alger this afternoon de-
MED positively that the government
was considering the advisability of
making another call for volunteer
troops. On the contrary, the war de-
partment is now entirely occupied
with the task of completing the equip
ment Of the large number of organi-
cations still without accoutrements and
has not yet even taken up in earnest
the procurement Of the $1,000 men call
ed for in the second proclamation Of the
president.
NEW CAMP.
The secretary has just received the
report of the special board, headed by
Major Hopkins, that was charged with
an inspection of the various points that
were offered as good camping grounds
for the United States troops. The board
found that good facilities could be fur
nished at Jacksonville, Fla, Fernan-
ina, Fla, and Savannah, Ga. Charles
ton had many points to recommend it,
but sufficient grounds were lacking.
The board reported that the water at
Fernandina could be piped all over the
camp, and Secretary Alger, with a
view to having everything in readiness
has ordered the piping to be laid at
once, thus indicating the departments
choice of sites. There is no intention
to break up the present camps unless
disease should appear, necessitating the
change. Secretary Alger's purpose in
sending out the Hopkins board was to
prepare a camp, not for immediate oc-
cupation, but for the instant reception
of troops who might necessarily be re-
moved from other camps where conta-
geous disease appears.
The attorney general has referred to
the navy department an appeal by Cap
tain Laze and the twelve members of
the crew Of the prize steamer Argot-
auta to be allowed to go to Cuba. The
Argonauta was captured by the Nash
Vile April 29th off Cienfuegcs and was
condemned as a fair prize. Her OFF,
GERS and crew were released upon CIV
ing their parole not to take up arms
against the United States during the
present war. They represent that their
families live in Cuba and ask permis-
sion to join them. promising to observe
their parole. The navy department has
been obliged to refuse this request, con-
tenting itself with giving the men their
liberty.
GERMANY AND THE PHILIPPINES
The constant reports that Germany
iS on the eve of ma King serious issue