Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-07-07
THE war SITUATION
Secretary Alger Expects Important
News at Any Moment.
REINFORCENEN1S FOR CEN. SKATER
Admiral CamaFa Pays tho suez Canal Dues
--COmmOdOre Watson COnsults Admiral
Sampson About the Squadron for
the Spanish Coast.

Wy oecTcJary Anger DIS otlug SUCH u
warrant him in entertaining the ex.
pectation of important news at any
moment. There were two parties to q
battle, and it might be precipitated by
either side, and no one knew what the
Spanish disposition was. Nor is much
more known respecting Gen. Skaters
plan Of attack, although in his mes
sage of Wednesday he indicated a pur-
pose to move on the enemy, as shown
by his declaration that reinforcements
could not reach him before he offered
battle.
Secretary Alger was very much graft.
fed when he learned yesterday that
direct telegraphic communication now
existed between Washington and Gen.
Skaters headquarters at Siboney.
Heretofore all messages from the gen.
eral have been delayed "a hours, ow-
ing to the necessity Of sending them
across rough country to reach tine
cable station. The loss of so much
time might be vital in case of urgent
need for achievements or Of ammu-
milton and supplies.
The opinion is held here that the
navy will cooperate in the attack on
Santiago, and that to that end part of
Skaters force is to move Immediately
on Moro castle to capture the forts
and to enable the naval launches to
open the gateway into the harbor by
removing the mines The experience
of the vessels while in Guantanamo
harbor in pulling up the mines there
is expected to very much facilitate
similar work at Santiago
No telegram came to the war depart
ment yesterday from Gen. Shafter and
the understanding here is that he is
employing his time to the best advan-
tage in taking his artillery and maxi
ing all ready for the final assault upon
Santiago. 1t is not known how far
the Spanish achievements have ad-
vanced since Wednesday, but Gen.
Shafter has full knowledge of their
movements and it is believed is not
likely to delay his attack until they
have strengthened the garrisons at
Santiago by uniting with Linares.
The second expedition from Tampa
to reinforce Shafter appears to have
encountered almost as many difficulties
as the original expedition in getting
away. 1t was confidently expected
here that the start would be made
from Tampa last Monday, but one
difficulty after another has arisen to
retard the movements, so that 1t was
with feeling of relief that the news
came to the department from Tampa
that the flagship of the expedition,
the Hudson, has swung out into the
stream and was ready to lead the pro-
cession of transports, which 1t is be-
lieved by this time are under way
bound for Santiago. 1t is calculated
that the second installment Of the re-
Inducements dispatched to Shafter
from Camp Alger via steamer from
Newport News reached him yesterday
on the Harvard, and the steamer Yale
Is expected at Newport News to-
morrow, returning from her first trip
with Dutiield's soldiers to take more
reinforcements, probably including
Garretson's battalion.
1t was announced at the navy de-
partment yesterday afternoon that the
Spanish Cadiz squadron had paid the
heavy Suez canal tolls and was about
proceeding eastward through the
canal, though this statement was
probably erroneous, in view of the
later reports to the press indicating
that the Spanish vessels were stopping
for repairs The advces only fastened
the preparations making for the de-
parture of Commodore Watson's east
ern squadron. The commodore has
reported to the navy department
his arrival off Santiago, and he
Is in consultation with Admiral Samp-
son respecting the details of the cruise,
which it is expected will occupy fully
four months, provided the war en-
dures that length of time. The de-
lays to which the Spaniards are sub
ject at Port Said will rebound very
greatly to the advantage Of Admiral
Dewey If Camara is still in reality
bound for the Philippines, for they in
sure the arrival of almost the whole
Of Gen. Merritt's military force and
almost certainly Of the cruiser Charles
ton and the monitors Monterey and
Monadnock before the Spanish squad.
ron could reach Manila harbor.
The reports from Santiago as to re-
connoitering parties and efforts of our
officers to take observations of the city
lead to the belief at the war depart.
ment that a big balloon may be util.
lied by Gen. Shafter as means OF sur
veying Santiago and all the surround
ing country. Gen. Greedy, chief signal
officer, sent complete balloon train
with Gen. Skaters expedition, and it
is now available for use ON the field If
Gen. Shafter desires this mode Of OBJ
servation.
Flying squadron No More.