The evening times., 1898-06-25
Death. and Glory.

.o,,t ...,.,-.D Death. and Glory.
8 The attack upon Santiago is being
developed in a way to bring great credit
to General Shafter and his army, as
well as to the Cuban auxiliaries, who
are doing good and gallant service.
Success has promised to crown the
movement since the hour when the
vanguard was landed at a fortified po-
siti0n on the shore without loss. The
achievement of debarking the whole
expedition, with its eauipage. animals
and ammunition, in twenty hours Is
regarded with astOnishment by Euro
pean military experts, who say that
the like has never been done before.
There will be equal surprise when the
share that the Rough Riders had in
yesterdays skirmishing is thoroughly
understood abroad The command OF
Wood and Roosevelt, amounting to only
half of their regiment. for the hrst time
under fire, was ambushed by twelve
hundred Spaniards concealed In the
long grass and chapparal through which
the Americans were Skin finishing toward
Santiago from Juragua- Two months
ago the men who compose the Rough
Riders were scattered over the face
of the continent, and all but few
Regular Army men among them engag-
ed in the pursuits of peace. Some were
cowboys on the plains. Other were
halfbacks on college football teams, and
great in athletics and Greek roots. still
others were millionaire clubmen. whose
principal object in life was to kill time
with four-i hand drags. yachts and
polo. But, aggregated into a command
OF horse. these composite elements in
a few weeks became that splendid thing
which has never failed the country at
its need-a corps of American Voiun-
teers.
Although, as we have said, for the
first time under fire. and ambushed by
a greatly superior force, the Rough
Riders charged feariessly into the bush
and routed the enemy, leaving. how
ever, thirteen dead and many wounded
on the field of glory. The country will
grieve for the loss of these brave lads,
but battles cannot be fought without
wounds and death and women's tears.
.Dulce ct decorum est pro patria morn!
For the credit and the interests of the
country. few things could have hap
pened better at this juncture than just
such a display of American ability at
short notice to transform the quiet citi-
zen into an effective self-reliant soldier.
able to cope with the regular troops Of
an enemy. even at the disadvantage
which marked the first engagement of
Wood and Roosevelt's men. 1t will ex-
ercise an Immediate and marked effect
upon European opinion of our ability
to put a large army in the field at any
time it may be required. and one not
to be despised for its military qualities.
The nation that can produce such troops
in six weeks. from the cattle ranch, the
university. the plow. bank parIor and
club and can scare up more than ten
million of them, at a pinch, is to be
respected and counted with in all the
world problems of the future.
General Shafter has moved his base
from Baiquiri westward to S!bouri, sew
eraI miles nearer Santiago. From this
point and Aguadores, just to the right
of Morro Castle. the army has con-
verged upon Juragua and Sevilla, and
yesterdays operations have placed it in
a situation to make an attack in force
upon Linares' main position tomorrow,
if the general should then consider the
conditions propitious. General Shafter
has already shown himself to be push
er and a hard hitter. So far he has
kept the enemy on the run, and doubt
less would continue to do SO if there
We're any further room for retreat. But
now the Spaniards have only the alter
native of giving battle or Surrendering.
and We do not expect that they will do
the latter without first making fierce
stand behind their entertainments If
circumstances have allowed the land
ing. transportation and emplacement of
the siege guns. it is probable that Gen.
Shafter will be able to wind up the
campaign in one sharp general engage
ment. and eliminate the troops of LII
mares and the squadron of Cervera
from the war problem.
The public will wait with breathless
interest for every click of the telegraph
instrument from now until Santiago
has fallen, and the last gazette Of honor
and death has been issued from the ad-
jutant generals office.