The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-13
Downright by the Associated IreSs.)

Siboney. July II, Z p. M, via Kingston.
jamaica. July 12.-11:30 Il. ma con-
certed movement has been made by the
United States army and navy, against
the city of Santiago de Cuba, during the
past twenty four hours. which the
American officers here believe will re-
suit in the almost immediate fall of the
city.
The fleet lying off Aguadores. three
miles east of Moro Castle, began the
bombardment of Santiago on Sunday
afternoon. and continued it this morn
ing. Notwithstanding the fact that our
ships had to fire at an extreme elevation,
and although the range was nearly five
miles, the aim was SO accurate that
many of the shells fell in the city and
set fire to it in four places
One shell struck st. Michaels church,
in which Il quantity of powder and am
munitiOn was stored. and blew it to
pieces.
During the bomhardment from the sea
the army extended its lines and drew in
closer to the city. so that at noon to-day
every road and trail leading out of the
city was guarded and the escape OF the
Spanish soldiers seemed impossible.
The only way they can get out of the
city is TO ferry across the bay TO the
western side of the harbor. and even
then they could not get into the interior
without encountering American troops
During the time the warshlpS were
bomharding Santiago this morning. the
batteries of artillery on the hills racing
the CITY sheled the Spanish entrench-
ments and received but Il slight reply:
The American sharpshooters also sent
in a deadly fire, but the Spanlards teil
back TO their last entertainments, offer
ing but little resistance.
The Americans suffered no loss
At about noon today General Shafter
communicated by signal with Rear Al
miral Sampson, requesting the latter 10
cease firing. Then the general sent
General Wheeler into the Spanish lines,
under a flag of truce. with message 10
General Toral. the Spanish commander,
reciting the fact that the American ships
had given complete demonstration that
they could throw shells into the
city and destroy it at Will. that
the American troops had the
CITY practically surrounded ana that
there were $4,000 Spanish and Cuban
refugees starving to death at I'll Cahey
and also pointing out that our army had
no means OI lttulllS ihtii' N'N'N' -
Shafter demanded the unconditional sur
render of the city and coupled this de-
mand with the statement that unless
General Toral acceded the assault upon
the city. both by land and sea force.
would be renewed at once.
Several hours elapsed before any reply
was received from General Toral and
then he sent message to General Shat
fer to the effect that the matter was Of
such great importance that he had been
obliged to refer it to the Madrid gov
erpment and that he would send his an
swer as soon as he could receive instruc-
tions from Madrid.
It was then late in the afternoon and
General Shafter gave orders to all the
troops to get as much rest as possible
and he prepared to resume the attack
Mt any moment No other answer had
been received from General Toral up to
6 o'clock this evening. During the time
the negotiations We're pending Major
General Miles arrived off Aguadores, on
beard the Yale. from Charleston. Ad-
miral Sampson went on board the Yale
and held Il conference with General
Miles. then the latter went to Siboney,
landed for a short while and held a
telephone communication with General
General Miles will go to the front to-
morrow. Tuesday morning.
FIRES STARTED BY OUR SHELLS.
->F
The Clock-likc Work of Schley's Bonn
bardment.
Off Aguadorcs. July 11.-(2 p. NJ
Via Kingston, Jamaica. July 12-t2 p.
m.)-The United States navy has the
following problem presented to 1t:
What is the best manner OF effectively
bombarding city distant four and Il
half miles and concealed from view by a
range of hills $50 feet high at its lowest
part?
The problem has been satisfactorily
solved. SO. if the army hereafter never
fired shot and merely guarded the
roads the navy could make Santiago IN
tenable. if indeed il did not totally de
Stroy i. in n few days.
Sunday and today the sea was calmer
than usual, so the opportunity for good
practice was afforded. In pursuance of
General Shafter's request. Commodore
*chlcy, Rear Admiral Sampson being
absent AT Guatanamo. at ; O'Clock. on
Sunday afternoon. ranged the Brooklyn,
Indiana and Texas within 800 yards
of the shore, at point almost due south
Of the city of Santiago. distant IL little
over four and n half miles. The ships
were about :: half Il mile apart The
army S:puoI mon wore on the beach on