The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-01
FURTHER DELAY At TAMPA
REINFORCEMENT FOR sHAFTER
DID NOT GET AWAY ON TIME.
Gen. COppinger to Remain in Florida
Ready-TranspOrts in Request.

WASHINGTON, June 3O-The situation
at the close of the day was described by
Secretary Alger as being such as to war;
rant him in entertaining the expectation of
important news at any moment There
were two parties to battle, and it might
be precipitated by either side and no one
here knew what the Spanish disposition
was. Nor is much more known respecting
General Skaters plan of attack although
in his messages of yesterday he indicated
purpose to move early en- the enemy as
shown by his declaration that reinforce
ments could not reach him before he offered
battle. Secretary Alger was very much
gratified WREN he learned to-day that direct
telegraphic communication now existed be-
tween Washington and General Skaters
headquarters at Siboney. Heretofore all
messages from the general have been de-
layed twenty-four hours, owing to the
necessity of sending across rough country
to reach the cable station. The loss of so
much time might be vital in case of urgent
need for ireinforcements or of ammunition
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 enable the naval
launches to open the gateway into the har-
Dor by removing the mines. The expert
ence of the vessels while in Guantanamo
barber in pulling up the mines there is ex-
pected to very much facilitate similar work
at Santiago.
No telegram came to the War Department
to-day from General Shafter and the un-
derstanding here is that he is employing
his time to the best advantage in taking
his artillery and making all ready for the
final assault on Santiago. 1t is not known
how far the Spanish reinforcements have
advanced since yesterday, but General
Shafter has full knowledge of their move
mesi4s and, it is believed, is not likely to
delay his attack until they have strength
encd the garrisons at Santiago by uniting
with Linares.
BALLOON MAY BE UTILIZED.
The reports from Santiago as to recon-
noitering parties and efforts of our officers
to take observations of the city leads to
the belief at the War Department that a
big balloon may be utilized by General
Shafter as a means of surveying Santiago
and all the surrounding country. General
Greedy, chief signal officer, sent a complete
balloon train with General Skaters ex-
pedition and it is now available for use on
the field if General Shafter desires this
mode of observation. The balloon is Of the
latest make and contains, when inflated,
seventeen thousand cubic feet of gas. The
complete equipment of gas-making machine
and apparatus for filing the balloon ac-
companied the train. An experienced
aeronaut, major in the signal service, has
the balloon train in charge. 1t is said OBJ
servations could be taken at a height of
several thousand feet, the balloon being an
olao xxyifl, A
tinuous communication between the balloon
and the ground by means of a telephone
adjustment The balloon observations are
in vogue with foreign military bodies but
it is thought that General Shafter may not
feel disposed on the eve of big fight to
try a comparatively new device in warfare.
The War Department, as stated previous
ly, received the welcome information to-
day that military telegraph station had
been established at Savilla, in the center
of the present military operations, and that
this line runs to "a point near Aguadores,
where it connected with the French cable
line, thus bringing General Shafter into di-
rect communication with the War Depart
ment. General Greely received a dispatch
to this effect at 1880 o'clock from Lieuten-
ant Colonel Allen who has charge of tele-
graphic and cable operations. The infor-
nation was conveyed to the secretary of
war and General Miles, and gave much
satisfaction, as 1t accomplishes an end long
sought and difficult to accomplish. The
work has been done by Colonel Allen, assist
ed by Major Green, of General Skaters
staff. The shore point at which the mill
tary line connects with the French cable
company will be advanced to Aguadores
as soon as that town is taken. 1t is now
held by the Spanish forces hut the n,lrnosa
is to have the war ships shell it, after which
it will be occupied a shore base
GENERAL SHAFTER'S DISPATCHES.
Beyond this the War Department has re-
ceived little news from General Skaters
headquarters in addition to the important
reports received from hin yesterday. In
fact, nothing but the actual assault remains
to be reported after the significant state
ment made by General Shafter to General
Miles that he expected to take Santiago
as soon as he got ready to move, without
waiting for reinforcements The substance
of this dispatch was made known yesterday.
but the actual text can now be given. 1t
was in reply to General Miles's dispatch of
the 25th, saying:
"Gratulation on success attained thus far
Regret most deeply to hear of loss of your
heroic men. Gable what you desire for your
command"
General Skaters reply. which is dated
Baiquiri. June 26. via Playa del Esta, June
2s. 4:30 p. m, follows:
Thanks for congratulations. Affair was
unimportant (slSirmish in which Rough Rid
ers particpated). Nine hundred and sixty
four only engaged on our side But II was
very decisive in our favor. enemy retreating