The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-07-15
WHAT AMERICAN
FORCES HAVE DONE
IN TWO WEEKS
Crushing Defeats Of Spaniards on
Land and Sea-Zone Of Terri
tory Surrendered in Cuba.

WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE first
chapter in the land campaign of the
United States against Spain closed to-
day when the Spanish colors gave place
over Santiago to the American flag.
Next will follow the transportation of
the Spanish troops back to their native
land and the capture Of the island of
Porto Rico, unless peace soon inter-
venes.
The siege Of Santiago had lasted two
weeks and was remarkable in many
respects, and in none more than the
heavy percentage of loss through death,
wounds or sickness of the soldiers and
sailors engaged on both sides. Look
ing back over the record Of these two
weeks it is seen that great Spanish
squadron has been destroyed; that near
ly a thousand Spanish sailors have
been drowned or killed by shell and
flame, and that an untold number of
Spanish soldiers have died In the
trenches of Santiago. On the other
hand, about $50 American soldiers have
been killed, and in round numbers 1900
more have been sent to the hospitals
from wounds, fevers and other all
ments.' Our fleet had a remarkable ex-
emption from disaster in the many en-
gagements it had with the forts at the
entrance off the harbor and with the
Spanish squadron.
Next Is. Porto Rico" said Secretary
Alger, after receiving news Of Santi-
ago's formal surrender, and then. II
need be, Havana
The Secretary was in excellent spirits
He has been more anxious than he
dared to show as to the condition OF our
sick soldiers and looked with apprehen-
sion upon the possibility of a prolonga-
ton of the struggle in the unhealthy
valley Of Santiago. The Secretary sald
that the Porto Rican expedition would
go forward Immediately. 1t will COM
prise new men entirely. The warriors
in the trenches before Santiago have
distinguished themselves and 1t is not
deemed proudent to bring them in I'M
necessary contact with new troops IN
view of the danger of spreading con-
tagion. The sick soldiers will be nursed
back to health and brought to the
United States as soon as they can be
safely removed Immune regiments
will be ordered to Santiago to garrison
the town and, as stated In these dis
patches yesterday, two OF these regi-
ments are already under orders to pro-
coed.
The Porto Rican expedition will be
commanded by General Miles In person,
though General Brooke, now in COM
mand at Camp Thomas, is expected to
be his dependence. The size Of the ex-
petition will depend upon General
Miles wishes, although it is believed
that $4,000 men will be sufficient for the
purpose. At San Juan the navy will
be of greater assistance than 1t was at
Santiago, owing to the possibility of
approaching the town more closely
without risking contact with mines.
General Brooke is now on his way to
Washington, by direction of Secretary
Alger so that he will be in a position to
make his views direct to the depart
ment The experience gained in dis
patching Skaters expedition. it is ex-
pected, will aid the officials in their de-
termination to make short work Of the
Porto Rican affair.
There will be plenty of transports
available for the expedition. as the
Government has devised other means
of removing the Spaniards captured at
Santiago to Spain than by carrying
them on those transports. That the
navy is ready to do it's share at short
notice goes without saying. Porto Rico
is not expected to offer very formida-
bic Resistance. 1t is believed that the
moral effect Of to-day's surrender at