The record-union., 1898-07-06
Commanders Of Forces Instructed
TO Hold a Conference.
Washington Authorities Conclude That the
Blow Intended to Be Delivered by
Shafter Would Be DoubIy Effec-
tive With Help of Warships.

NASI1NG1o j uly JAS q Ie31Ai'
OF the Cabinet meeting to-day, instruc-
tions were sent by the President to
Admiral Sampson and General Shafter
to confer together concerning a joint
plan of attack upon the city. Upon
the outcome of this conference depends
the line of action for the immediate
future. For the present, the land
bombardment by General Skaters s
forces has been deferred. as the situa-
ton is so completely changed by the
humiliation OF the Spanish fleet that it
is manifestly the part Of wisdom for
this land bombardment to await the
cooperation and support OF bonn
bardment from Admiral Simpsons $
fleet.
General Skaters demand for the sur
render of Santiago, on pain of bonn
bardment, was made at $50 Sunday
morning An hour later Admiral Ger
vera made his suicidal dash from the
harbor, resulting in a complete trans
formation of the naval and military
conditions Instead of a menacing
Spanish fleet within the harbor, the
way has been cleared, save for the
shore batteries, for the entrance of the
American fleet up to the very wharVes
of the city With this material change
wrought, it was obvious to the authori-
ties here that the blow first intended to
be delivered by General Shafter alone
would be doubIy effective and decisive
if the two forces could be brought to-
gether and strike simultaneously from
the land and sea.
1t was for this reason that the confer
ence was held between the American
General and the Admiral. Up 10 the
close Of Office hours to-day no word
had come either to the War or Navy
Departments so far as was disclosed,
as to what determination had been
reached at the conference. At the same
time it is the clear expectation of the
authorities that the conference will re-
suit in a determination by the Admiral
to take his fleet through the narrow
neck of the harbor, making his way
past the shore batteries and fortifica-
tions and take position before the city
for bombardment.
There is reason to believe that the
instructions sent to Admiral Sampson
at least conveyed the desire if not the
instructions. that he enter the harbor.
But it is said that the Admiral and the
General continue TO be the supreme Off
cials in authority, and that being on
the scene. fully alive TO all the condi-
tions. their judgment will be taken as
final in the course to be adopted.
There is said to be no obstacle so
far as navigation is concerned, to the
entrance to the harbor by the Amer
lean fleet. The Christopher Colon, which
cleared the Merrimac and got out of the
harbor Sunday. drew 2S feet 3 inches,
which is within seven inches of the
draft OF the battleships Iowa, Indiana,
Massachusetts, and Oregon, and is
greater than the draft of the battle
ship Texas. Moreover, the Navy De-
partment has known for the last ten
days that the neck of the channel was
omen. despite the sinking Of the Mer-
rinac. and that there was a clear sea
way of seven fathoms through which
any ship in our navy could sail. This
removes all difficulty. except from sub
marine mines, or from the shore bat
teries. AS to the mines little account
is taken of them since the Spanish
feet passed over them. The Spaniards
are in the habit of using contact mines
so that there is little likelihood of there
being mines operated by electricity
connected with the shores. Once VI
10 the city. the fleet and the army could
combine in a terrific double fire. Nc
less than 292 heavy guns could be
trained from the American warships
on the city, and at the same time tbs
big siege guns, which ii is expected
have been brought TO the front OF
Skaters line, would rain down tor
rent of steel from that quarter. Tht
siege guns throw shells of 135 pounds
Aside from them, there are four mod
ern howitzers. with guns of a smaller
caliber These are in the heavy
artillery, while the light artillery en-
braces a great number of guns of ;.
calibers. Combined. this fire from land
and sea would be terrific in its effect.