The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-12

washington, July I.-Jenerdi sndi-
ter's report from siboney. sent just be-
fore midnight last night, caused the Of
ficials of the war department to walt all
day with the expectation of hearing that
the bombardment of Santiago had be-
gun. No word to that effect came,
however, up to the time the depart
ment closed. and though there is little
reason to doubt that the general car
ried out the programme OF which he
had notified the department, II was re-
garded as possible that he had con-
sented to a further extension under the
flag of truce. in view of certain signs of
weakening on the part of the Spanish
commander. 1t is supposed here that
General Miles. with additional reinforce
ments on the Yale, will arrive at Sibo-
ney tonight or tomorrow morning. or
If a surrender has not been secured by
that time, IL is believed that the assault
upon the city proper VIII be prosecut-
ed at once with the greatest energy
Tests made recently of the naval ord
nance give very unsatisfactory results
when II was attempted to project shells
over the high hills from the open sea
into Santiago City. Possibly better re-
suits may be attained tomorrow IL the
attack is resumed then, but there is
more likelihood that the main reliance
II be on such of the lighter draft ves-
sells of Admiral SIMPSONS fleet as may
succeed in getting closer to the shore
and in a better position than the heavy
battleships. The officers here are salts
fed that what appears to be delay on
the part OF General Shafter was really
caused by his efforts to carry out the
presidents injunction to prevent the
Spanish army from escaping from San
tiago. He might have attacked the
town several days ago, with the result
that IL the Spanish were overcome they
would have retreated without obstruc-
tion TO the northwest.
Dispatches late last night indicate
that he has been trying to complete his
line of investment so as to prevent such
an escape. and as he appears to feel
satisfied that he has accomplished this.
the nnal assault will not be delayed
much longer. General Shafter is dis
posed TO save every life possible in the
war, probably having In mind the par
ticularly large proportion of killed,
wounded and missing compared to the
total strength of his army from the bat
tie OF Caney, which the official figures
promulgated to-day show was excep-
tianal in modern warfare. II is to save
our troops that he desires to make a free
use of artillery before the assault proper
begins. and also to secure the co-opera-
tion of the navy in the attack. The
little artillery duel OF yesterday appears
to have been more serious In its results
than was at first suspected by General
Shafter himself. for during the after
noon he was obliged to report as a re-
suit the death of Captain w. Rowell.
Second infantry. one of the most gall
liant and popular officers of the regular
establishment.
The appearance at the navy depart
ment at an early hour of Ensign Pal
mer. one of the officers of the st. Louis.
which arrived at Portsmouth yesterday.
led the officials to believe that he had
brought the reports of the American
naval commanders of the battle which
resulted in the destruction of Cervera's $
squadron. 1t turned out. however. that
the st. Louis had started from Siboney
before the official reports on that en-
gagement had been prepared.
Ex-Secretary Herbert had quite a
| conference with Secretary Long this
| afternoon upon the subject of fireproof
wood for naval construction. He
| brought with him a formidable array
| reports OF the naval battle to show that
| fire was the element that worked the
| greatest destruction among the ves-
sells OF the Spanish squadron. and that
whenever American vessels had been
hit. even in the case OF the tiny torpedo
boat. they had escaped such fires be-
| cause all of their woodwork was fire.
| proof. So impressed was Secretary
| Long with the statement that he had
concluded to reconvene a special board
| which was appointed some time ago 10
| deal with this matter and which had
recommended that the use of the pre-
pared wood be curtailed in some meas
ure in American warship building.
| Naval officers affirm that a serious
irregularity occurred at the time the
| ships OF Cervera's feet hauled down
| their colors and surrendered. Inquiries
have brought out the fact that the
/ breech blocks of the guns were thrown
| overheard, thus disabling the guns and
| making them practically worthless, and
| the valves by which the ships were
flooded opened after the surrender.
| which was breach of the rules of war
| fare, the enemy having ceased firing
and having asked for quarter. II is
said that further destruction OF the
/ ships at such time was both wanton
| and dishonorable. and that IL the per-
| sons responsible for IL are located, they
are likely TO be held accountable.
| The denartment has not yet received
/ the report OF the court OF inquiry show
/ ing in detail the injuries OF these ships
and the possibility of salvage. The
/ press report of the boards finding saw
4 ing that only the Maria Teresa could
be saved. excited much surprise. as IL
| was confidently believed that the Colon
| also could be saved in whole or in part.
/ The officials are still hopeful that the
/ full report of the board will show that
/ there Is a chance of saving the Colon.
1 |