The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-23

WASHINGTON. June 22.-The plan
Of attack upon Santiago is practically
outlined. The Spaniards are to be
overwhelmed. The troops are being
landed at two points so as to attack
Santiago in the rear ard at the sides
with the navy to help out the work in
front. Thus the military invasion Of
Cuba may be said to have fairly begun,
for though the United States marines
were the first of the regular force to
land upon Cuban soil, their purpose
was not after all invasion, but the es-
tablishment Of a naval base for cable
station in both of which they were emil
nently successful To the regular troops
was left the beginning of the formida-
BILE task of invading Cuba in force by
land.
Just at the close OF office hours a
brief cablegram came to the war de-
p&rtment from Lieut. Col Allen. 1t
had been expected all day To the sur
prise of the officials the cablegram was
dated not at Guantanamo but at q
place called Playa del Este, about
twenty miles west Of Guantanamo bay,
and about half the distance between
that and Santiago bay. Its exact word
ing Is withheld. but the statement was
authorized that it said the troops were
landing and that preparations had been
made to attack Santiago a the side and
rear.
SHAFTER FREE TO ACT.
The delay in receiving further cable
communications after the first, of last
evening, is thus explained. The lines
We're being carried westward probably
to be nearer the point selected as the
landing place in Cuba. In his dispatch
Lieut.. Col. Allen said that he had heard
nothing officially from either Gen. Shat
ter or Admiral Sampson. This is ac-
counted for readily by his Instructions
he was told specifically by Gen. Miles
In cablegram sent yesterday not to
embarrass Gen. Smarter by any un-
necessary suggestions. Thus it will be
seen to the delight of all true soldiers
that Gen. Shafter, like Admiral Samp-
son, is not to be tied by exact orders
from Washington. but is to be allowed
the widest liberty of action in the be-
lief that he being on the ground is
capable of judging best the propriety
of projected movements.
Lieut.. Cole, who, however, is a mem
Der of Gen. Miles staff and directly
in charge of the signal work in San
tiago province, communicated briefly
with Gen. Miles in cipher the fact that
the debarkation of the troops had be-
gun and that plan Of attack had been
arranged.
REINFORCEMENT OF SHAFTER.
The reinforcement of Gen. Shafter
actually began today in the departure
of a regiment and a battalion of the
troops at Camp Alger for Santa 60
by steamer direct to Santiago. If the
expectations Of the projectors of this
movement are realized, these troops are
likely to occupy actually less time in
passage than did the first contingent
which left Tampa directly, notwith-
standing the distance is twice as long.
Formal orders were issued placing
Gen. Guy V. Henry in charge of the
new division of troops composed of
Duffields and Garcetson's brigades.
which are ito form a part of the new d.
vision. Probably some of the troops
row at Tampa will be attached also
IN which case they will be dispatched in
separate transports. Gen. Henry is
one of the most noted cavalry leaders
IN the army-possibly In the world.
SURROUNDING SANTIAGO.
1t is evident from the nature of Gen.
Miles advices that in addition to the
troops now landing, supposedly not
far from Playa del Este on the
cast side Of Santiago bay, the second
landing is going on at a point lust
about the same distance west of the
harbor entrance. The two divisions
probably will be pushed forward stead
fly to take the town Of SANTIAGO on
either flank while to Garcia and Rab-
bis bands of insurgents may be left
the task Of bringing on the attack in
the rear. The distance on the west side
is slightly greater than on the east
but 1t probably Is not greater by either
route than fifteen or eighteen miles
The country is mountainous, but there
is no reason to believe 1t may not be
traversed by the United States troons
within week. even should 1t be neces-
sary to construct entrenchments and