The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-19
WEEKS CAMPAIGN IN CUBA

WEEKS CAMPAl6N IN CUBA
Copyright 1898 by the Associated Press)
OFF Santiago de Cuba, Fridayp. June II
q p. m),per the Associated Press Dis
patch Boat Wanda, via Kingston. ia
maica, Saturday June IS (S:45 a. MI
The weeks campaign in eastern Cuba
has resulted in the practical demolition
of the outer fo-tifications of Santiago de
Cuba, in anticil alion of the arrival of
the troops and the occupation of the ine
harbor of Guantanamo, in whoch today
are anchored such magnificent ships as
the Oregon and the St Paul, together
with the Marblehead, Dolphin, Suwanee
and eleven other auxiliary gunboats. col
Tiers and press dispatch boats, in an aver
age depth of seventeen fathoms of water.
The military resistance TO the definite
occupation has practically ceased since
.he oombardment on Wednesday An in
tercepted official report of the Spanish
military commandant indicates that lis
military resources are exhausted His
soldiers are now on half rations. There
are supplies only for the remainder Of
June The commandant has already seiz-
W "a t4iN VI fAAt III Us ouPPiACSs III VI NtA
that they might be bestowed TO the use
of the soldiers.
The close Gordon maintained by the
Cubans about Guantanamo is illustrated
by the fact that the official Spanish
communications have been promptly in
tercepted and the Spanish messengers in
both cases have been shot by the Cubdns
while attempting to pass the lines.
For the past three nights there has
been comparative quiet in the camp which
the marines hold on the crest of the hill
near Guantanamo bay and over which the
American flag floats. At dusk volunteers
from the war ships go ashore and camp
near the hill, to be at hand in case of an
emergency, and the Cubans go far out in.
the chapparaI in order to prevent the
Spaniards from stealing a march on the
camp.
General Perez, commanding the east
ern division of the insurgent army. called
on Captain McCala, OF the Marblehead.
yesterday and reported that he had 5000
men, OF whom 100 would reinforce the
marines in few days.
Many bands of insurgents are now gath
cred along the coast to the westward of
Santiago
The war ships have done no firing since
Wednesdays bombardmen Of the inner
Notifications and the town of Caimanera.
Since the narrow escape Of the Marble
head and the Texas from destruction by
t0ypedoes in the channel. greater precau-
tons have Utc7 observed. Both ships
struck contact mines without exploding
them. Each mine contained forty pounds
Of guncotton. sufficient to destroy any
vessel.
The bombardment of Guantanamo bay
was not so heavy as at Santiago but II
was very heavy. The Spaniards fred only
five shots and then fed. Three shots
struck near the Marblehead. but none hit
her
The ships steamed within $500 yards of
the fort before opening fire and then fired
with deadly accuracy.
The Texas stopped in the narrow chan
mel 20 avoid grounding. but the Marble
head steamed ahead and swung around
the south side O.; the harbor. Her first
shots went wild, but the little Suwanee.
which was following her. found the range
and SEN shots straight into the fort.
hurting into the air bricks and dust.
The Texas flushed the business. two
OF her Pinch shells reducing the fort to
4 picturesque and useless ruin.
The Marbleheat then turned her atten-
ton to the barracks and breastworks
southwest Of the harbor and speedily de-
molished them. sending the Spanish gar
rison flying for their lives.
As the Spaniards ran down the main
land the s.. PaurS 5-inch guns were train
ed on them and several Of the soldiers
were seen TO fall. The number OF killed
and wounded IS not known.
The bom6ardment lasted an hour and q
quarter ana was for the purpose OF pre-
venting a movement OF spanish troops
from tbs jrwn TO the fortifcations.
The insurgent forces. which have been
armed and equipped by Captain McCaua.
not only prove 70 be daring scouts but
turn CUT - be brave fighters and good
shots with the Lee-Me,ford rifles.
our own men are warm in their praise
and look for unexpectedly strong cooper
alton upon tho part OF the Ctfhar amy