Evening journal., 1898-06-16
SIMPSONS DISPATCH.
Departments Cratined over the News o
Insurgents Assistance.

Insurgents Assistance.
WASHINGTON. June 16.--Like the
relief Of the beleagured at Lucknow
came the welcome news to the navy de-
partment yesterday afternoon that the
little band of American marines who
had planted the flag on Crest hill and
We're defending it night and day against
heavy odds were not only safe but
were strongly re-enforced by 1900 Gu
bans from the commands Of Garcia and
Rabbi and were now strong enough TO
more than hold their own. II was dis
closed in a dispatch from Admiral
Sampson and brought much relief to
naval officials.
The early reports had indicated that
the marines were surrounded. and Ii
was feared that they might be compell-
ed to return to the ships before Cen
eral Skaters invading army reached
there on Friday. The coming of the
Cuban forces seems to have been in the
nick Of time, and naval officials give
the fullest credit TO the tlmeliness cf
this Cuban cooperation.
The admirals dispatch stated that
the condition Of the marines was EN-
tirely satisfactory" which assurance,
although brief. was enough to relieve
officials here Of the fears they had en-
tertained. But probably the most sig
nlficant feature OF the admirals dis
patch was the statement that the Gu
ban general Rabbi had occupied Acer-
radcos, only eight miles from Santiago
and practically a suburb of that Span
ish stronghold. It was the execution Of
a plan arranged I'm Washington some
weeks ago. when two Of the staff Off
GERS Of General Garcia came here to
confer with General Miles.
At that time Garcia and Rabbi were
at Bayamo. in the western part Of San
tlago province and more than 100 miles
northwest Of Santiago de Cuba. Ad-
miral SIMPSONS dispatch showed that
Rabbi and his force had made n COM
plete circuit OF Santiago de Cuba and,
coming up to the south OF It, has oc-
cupied Acerradcos.
This is looked upon as a fine military
stroke. for Acerradocos Is the port
where iron wharfs will afford facilities
FOR unloading the heavy artillery car
ried by General Skaters invading ex-
pedition.
The news also indicated to the au-
thorlties here that the Spanish gar
rison at Santiago has practically re-
treated inside the city proper, giving up
the outlying towns. Admiral Sampson
also states that General Garcia is CO.
operating with the American forces.
Whether this means that Garcia him
self has arrived from Bayamo Is not
quite clear. but II he has, the Joint
forces OF Garcia and Rabbi will make
1900 TO 5000 seasoned Cubans, recently
armed with Sprlnghelds, as a BUSH
whacking force TO aid the Amerl-
can troops. From sources other than
the dispatches of Admiral Sampson the
navy department has been informed
that 800 Cubans were rendering efficient
aid to the marines at Crest hill. Now
that Rabbi and Garcia are on the scene
this 500 will be swelled to thousands.
The news OF the routing with severe
losses Of the Spanish guerrillas and the
capture of their water supply by the
marines and Cubans had not been re-
celved up TO the close of the depart
ments, but IL IS felt here that it viii
make the Spanlards very cautious and
enable our forces TO get much needed
rest.
In making his march Rabbi has cross
ed the line Of communication between
the Spanish commander General PAN
do at Holguin. and the Spanish forces
at Santiago de Cuba. This fact makes
IL clear that Santiago is not likely to
get re-enforcements from General Pan
do In circling around Santiago 70 reach
Acerradocos Rabbi. it Is believed here.
also established IL as a fact that the
lines of communication and relief to
Santiago are intercepted and practical
~ cut off IN all directions