The herald., 1898-06-21
LANDING The TROOPS
ARMY MEN WORRIED OVER THE
OUTLOOK
TRAP HAS BEEN SET BY PAND0
Wharf Owned by Americans known to
Be Mined and Covered by Guns
Of Concealed Batteries
Associated Press Special Wire

NEW YORK, June 21.-A special to the
Tribune from Washington says:
The arrival of the Fifth army corps under
Gen. Shafter at the rendezvous off Santiago,
which. in the opinion of the army and navy
officials has occurred by this time, develops
the most interesting contingency of the war,
and there is frank curiosity among the high
est officials, as well as upon the part of the
American public, to receive authentic re-
ports describing the debarkation of such 4
great military force upon the shores of a
country held by an active enemy. The diff
culties involved in this landing are thor
oughly appreciated by military and naval
men. who are unable to conceal their un-
easiness regarding its practical execution.
According to the plans arranged before
Gen. Shafter sailed his fleet of thirty trans
ports will lie at safe distance from shore
while war council is being held between
the commanding officers of the two forces
and their chief staff officers.
Sampson Will Settle It
Admiral Sampson has probably become
familiar with the most accessible and least
dangerous localities in the immediate vicin-
ity of Santiago. through his communica-
tions continuously maintained with the
Cubans ashore. He Is also possessed of the
power to batter down any fortifications
which may have been established In tha
neighborhood of the most desirable land
ing places. whether at the position in Guam
tanamo bay now held by the marines, or
that at Acceradero which was seized sew
eral days ago by the Cuban general. Rabi,
ten miles west of the main objective point.
Whichever is selected will depend largely
upon the condition of the troops on their
arrival and the amount of caution it is con-
sidered expedient to exercise.
A Trap Set
The most advantageous point of de-
barkation under ordinary circumstances
for the initiation of sharp and speedy
investment of Santiago is found at the
Carnegie Steel company's wharf at Agui-
dores, which is barely six miles east Of
Morro castle, this wharf being admirably
adapted for landing the heavier supplies,
the siege train, ordnance and horses. But
the Spaniards are reported to have placed
batteries in such a position as to command
the locality with an enfilading fire OF
heavy artillery which might easily de-
stroy the wharf itself by shelling or create
havoc among the troops after they have
heavier ships might succeed In dismount-
ing these batteries, but grave fears are ex-
pressed that the ships guns could not
reach some of the masked positions far
upon the hills, and that the landing at this
place would eventually be followed with
disaster There is a wide divergence of
expert opinion regarding the probable du-
ration of the military campaign before the
fall of Santiago.
May Take Week
Army officers who. with General Miles,
oeprecate the exposure of American troops
to unnecessary risks, declare that they
would not be surprised If an eotire week
were consumed in landing the army and
perfecting its organization ashore before
the actual cross-country march is begun.
They have anticipated that great num-
ber of horses and mules will die on the
voyage, and that all the surviving animals
will be practically unfit for use for at leas.
four or five days after they regained terra
firma.
They also point out that the base of sup
plies must be thoroughly protected by
earthworks In order that it may be held by
a small force beyond the slightest possi-
bility of a doubt. The roads must be built
for the transport of essential subsistence,
supplies and ammunition. as well as
capable of bearing the heavy artillery.
In such rough country as Santiago
province an average advance of six or eight
miles per day will be satisfactory, and If
effective resistance is offered, progress will
be at a slower rate, as Santiago Is more
closely approached.
On the other hand, civilians who are fa-
miliar with Spanish operations during the
last two years nj Cuba are confident that
General Shafter will meet with only spo-
radio and Intellectual attacks by scattered
guerrilla bands, and that the rapidity of his
investment of the city and bay will both
astonish and crafty every one but friends
of Spain.