The herald., 1898-07-12
Los ANGELES HERALD. TUESDAY MORNING. JULY y, ls9s

|ment as to the details Of his plans, further
than was indicated in the dispatches re-
ceived from him yesterday. The belief here
IL that the affair of yesterday was of little
Importance, being perhaps but a feint on
the part of the Spaniards to uncover the
-merican batteries or to discover some weak
spot which might be made the point of at
tack In sortie when 1t comes to that. The
officials here do not conceal their appre-
hension that the enemy may escape from
Santiago under cover of darkness, and are
consequently relieved each day when dis
patches from the front show that they still
occupy the town. The President himself
was so much concerned over the possible es-
cape of the Spanish forces that he directed
the sending of explicit orders to General
Shafter to prevent 1t at all hazards This
fact, taken with the eenerars dispatch OF
yesterday, formed the basis of the opinion
Expressed at the War Department yesterday
that Skaters attack would not be made i'm
mediately.
1t was gathered from these reports that
he had not succeeded in extending his lines
clear around the city, and 1t was feared that
If he began the attack before completing the
circumnavigation, the enemy under the
strength of his attack might escape through
the uncovered northwest section and retreat
toward Manzanillo over the road traversed
by the achievements that last reached
Santiago. Now, however, Shafter reports
that he expects to complete his lines today.
presumably using for the purpose the REIN
foroements which reached him Saturday
and yesterday, and 1t is expected the at
tack will be no longer delayed.
Several kilograms were received at the
Navy Department over night from Ad-
miral Sampson. 1t is said that they did not
relate to the attack on Santiago, but
touched on the organization OF Watson's
fleet and the movement of certain trans
ports which had been the object of inquiry.
Captain General Blanco is making des-
perate efforts to get in supplies through
the blockade lines. Inspired by the sue
cessful attempt of the Purissima Concep-
cion to land supplies on the Island of Cuba,
he is now causing to be loaded another
steamer at a Mexican port with the inten-
tion of running the blockade and bringing
in food and ammunition to the beleaguered
capital. This is a large ship of about $500
tons and she already has taken on bountl-
full supply of food and Is expected to load
| 1000, 900 cartridges. The craft Is believed
to be the steamer Montevideo, now at Vera
Cruz, and protests have been lodged with
the Mexican government by the American
Consul there against the clearance of the
vessel The Montevideo is an auxiliary
cruiser of the Spanish navy, 1t is said, and
carries a considerable battery. Notice Of
the Montevideo's movements will be COM
municated to the blockading squadron i'm
mediately, and 1t is entirely improbable
that she will be able to repeat the feat of
the Purissima Conception.
A long list Of names Of wounded and sick
enlisted men came from Tampa over the
wires to the War Department. These
names are being carefully verified and.ar-
ranged In lists by the department and as
this work is time-consuming 1t will scarce
~ be ready for publication before the close
Of the day.