The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-07-08
GREAT BATTLE IMPENDING.
Gen. Shafter Announces that He
Can Capture Santiago in
Forty-Eight Hours.
JHE FORCES OF THE OPPOSING ARMIES.
Dangerous Position behind Earth
works and In the Open American Re
in-forcements that vii. Arrive Too
Late.

Sill TON, June W. - ne opinion
prevails here that within IA day on two
at most Gen. Shafter will have begun
his attack upon the city of Santiago
proper. The important event of the
day was the generals ment
that he could take the city in - hours,
but at considerable loss. Taken in
connection with the announcement
contained in another dispatch that he
was going to attack without waiting
for reinforcement, it will be seen that
the officials have ground for their cx-
pectation thai the first general en-
gagement of the wa will begin in a
very short time.
Force of the Opposing Armies
Numerically the opposing armies are
not very different. the est mate If the
Spanish force being placed at li,00D
men, thoroughly lntrenched and be-
hind barbed wire fences and block
houses. as against about 5000 under
Skaters command. aided by 1000 Gu
bans.
One of the gravest elements in the
problem, however. is the Spanish war
ships, for, unless Shafter is materially
assisted by Sampson, who might en-
gage the full attention Of the Spanish
ships, their fire upon the American adj
vance would be very hard to meet.
Great Military Tact shown by Gen.
Linsres.
The military authorities here say
that Gen. Linares has shown great
military tact in slowly retiring during
the asst few days, as he has gradually
drawn our troops from the protection
of the American ships and brought
them close To the TIRE of the Spanish
ships in Santiago harbor. For this
reason it was with relief that the an
nouncement was received here that
Shafter had succeeded in landing all
of his artillery. including his siege
train. for unless Sampson can be re-
lied upon to force his wa into the
harbor and attack the Spanish ships,
the siege guns planted on heights com-
manding the bay will be the main re-
lance of Gen. Shafter in offsetting the
presence OF the Spanish ironclads.
Skaters Position Would Re D~isagreeabls
n Not Dangerous.
Undoubtedly Shafter is animated to
az 10 ,Ooh a. Ppo1ibtt W III RAAONi
edge of the approach OF the reinforce
ments for Lineras from Manzanillo, for
with this additional force, Skaters
position would be disagreeable If not
perilous, at least until he had received
rcinforcements,
The war department received the
first definite news yesterday as to the
approach of these Spanish reinforce
iuents. This was in an Off cial dispatch
stating that 5000 men, with pack train
and droves Of animals were advancing
from Manzanillo and were "a miles
from Santiago.
An Element of Uncertainty and Danger.
IL has been known through reports
from Lieut.. Joyce. made to Gen. Miles,
that the %Spaniards have IL. 900 men at
Manzanillo and 10000 at Holguin, and
every precaution has been taken TO
guard against their advance from
either quarter. The official report
showed that 5000 Of those at Mama
milo had covered half the distance to
Santiago, and it is the belief of mill
tary officials here that Gen. Pando is
making similar advance with his 10.-
OVJ tit AtDn bOAhuih- iutNt "
vances, now practically unopposed. are
regarded "a one of the most serious
phases Of the situation.
behind Earthworks and In the Open.
There is the further element to
which the military authorities are Civ
ing careful attention, that one man in.
trcnched behind earthworks or i'm rihs
pits is worth three men in the open.
1t is said that the battles of Chancel.
louisville and spottsylvania afforded
the most direct proof on this point.
American reinforcement that Will Arrive
Too Late.
1t was announced at the war depart
ment that by reports, 5000 soldiers
should be leaving Tampa to-day to
Join Shafter. They will be three or
four days on the voyage, and it Is prob.
able that il is this force that Gen.
Shafter refers TO as likely TO arrive toe
late for his action.