Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-07-08

~ GlC ANiAAulJ dulAOAACcS ACAC' |A1A
their energies, all their attention, was
turned to meeting the situation as
presented by Gen. Shafter. There was
neither time nor disposition to take
account of what had gone before when
the fact was plain that the American
army had fought it's way inch by inch,
under blazing sun, through a dense
tropical vegetation, steadily advance
ing and beating back the foe, taking
position after position, until, as Gen.
Shafter reported, the town was well
invested on the north and east by the
long-drawn-out line of American
troops. That was sufficient tribute
to the valor of our brave men, and 1t
silenced all cavil over the conditions
now presented by Gen. Shafter. TWAS
q time for action, for reenforcements,
and toward the execution of this end
every effort of the administration was
at once turned.
Santiago Torn to Pieces.
But there was other information OF
different tenor coming about the
same time. The American army was
not alone feeling the effects of this
three-days' shock of arms. Definite,
positive information was at hand that
Santiago had been literally torn to
pieces, and that In the wreck and ruin
of demolished buildings the Spanish
casualties numbered fully 1000. This
was fitting offset to any qualms
raised by the reports from the Ameri-
can lines. This information came from
one of the foreign consuls stationed
at Santiago, who reported to the rep
resentative of his country in Washing
ton the fearful havoc within the city
wrought by the American army and
the fleet. The distress of the city, even
before the battle, was clearly shownby
the action of this consul in serving out
rations of one-half pound daily to his
fellow countrymen, few hundred in
number, for the last month. Evident
w there was no food to buy; the Span
ish military forces had taken every
available pound; only by this official
distribution of rations to the foreign
colony could they be kept from star
walton.
SPANISH Commander Wounded.
Then came the brief but graphic
recital of the terrible effect OF the
American attack from land and sea-
The bursting shells from our fleet had
done the greatest damage inside OF the
city. Buildings we're riddled with rifle
shot, and mown down with the huge
shells and solid projectiles from the
~ 81
commander, Ger. I.inares, occupying
a place similar to that of Gen. Shafter
in the American army, was seriously
wounded. This last fact had been
grudgingly admitted from Madrid, but
the report reaching here left no rSom
for doubt as to the seriousness o!%Nis
feature. With II was the further ~
that the Spanish casualties, even be-
hind entertainments, ran.up to thou
sand, and was equal to that of the fear
less men who fought in the open.
both sides Suffer Terribly.
With all the light furnished on the
situation, official and unofficial, direct
and indirect, it was apparent that
each side had suffered terribly, with
now a period OF lull for those in re-
sponsibility to measure their condi
tons, bury their dead, care for their
wounded, and prepare for the gra'e1
conflict yet to come.
Vigorous Action Will Follow.
The president aud his war advisors
remained calm throughout the trying
experiences of the day. All their at
tention was directed to the work Of
preparation. The future movement,
Of Gen. Shafter are well established
They had been made known in his dis
patch, but It was deemed advisable MOI
to make this portion public, as it woule
serve to advise tho enemy Of the Ameri
can plans. 1t con only be said tina
Gen. Skaters forces will be strongl,
!, and favorably located, with the gun
of the American warships serving q
an additional protection to their front
Reinforcements will be hurried t.
them, which will be ample for On.
: emergency, whether it be storm o
: siege. With Santiago PARTIAL.
: wrecked and filed with a THOUSAND
dead and wounded, the condition Their
Is desperate, even critical. There /
I little likelihood of any Spanish sortie
i in force under such circumstances, bu
h the possibility still opens that tn
}. Spanish garrison may seek relief b
q evacuating the city and retiring to tn
!. mountain paths to the north. But tn
9 American plan is for offensive, vigo1
- :. Gus action, and with the full resource
j. of men and arms at the command 9
n the country. AS Gen.Miles said, 5000
y If need be, will move on Santiago;
% more are needed, then it will be rs
Il O0O The lesson Of Santiago has serve
{; only to enkindle greater earnestnes
y throughout every avenue OF officis
i life at the national capital. And Their
q is a deep-set determination to NEE
q heroic conditions with heroic trea'
d ment.
Hold nm Important Conference.
% Following the receipt of Gen. Sha
T. ter's telegram there was hurried wa
r. conference at the white house. Sc
rotary Alger accompanied by Gen. Co
bin reached there few minutes b
fore one o'clock and were Immediate
g closeted with the president. Seer
tary Alger brought the shafter di
ts patch with him and also maps ar
ad other data necessary for the il
II portant meeting about to take plac
m Gen. Corbin was with the presidel
he and the secretary for few minute
We and then hurried back to the war d
partment, where he made public sue
portion of Gen. Skaters dispatch
was compatible with the public int