The record-union., 1898-06-20
SPANISH GUERRILLAS.
Given Little Taste Of Shells From
American Warships.

CAMP M'CALLA, NEAR GUAM
TANAMO (Cuba), June L. noon, by
dispatch boat, filed Kingston (Jamaica),
June -, p. m. Copyright, 1898, by
the Associated Press).-For several
days past small bodies of Spaniards
had been hanging around the northern
end of the harbor of Guantanamo and
annoying the gunboats and launches by
occasional firing. They had been COM
ing from a small blockhouse about five
miles back from that part of the har-
Dor, in which the American warsnips
have been lying.
This morning the gunboat Suwanee
led the way up the channel, followed
by the Marblehead and the launch of
both ships, and opened a heavy fiEn On
bodies of guerrillas seen at a short
distance from the shore line The shots
We're not effective at first, but the Span
r ish infantry made a frantic burst for
cover, while the shells pursued them,
striking all around The Dolphin
Joined in the firing, and for twenty
minutes a heavy fire was kept up when
the signal to cease firing was hoisted.
The Suwanee steamed close inshore
for long distance but was not able
to see any signs of the Spaniards, while
no reply of any kind was made to the
American fire. The Spanish loss could
not have been very heavy, as the Span
lards fled too fast for cover at the first
shots. Later in the day the Oregon
sent several shots at the blockhouse.
damaging it badly and causing il to
burn for a short time.
Lieutenant Colonel r. w. Hunting
ton, commander of the marines in
Camp McCalla, has been making every
preparation during the last few days
for an assault by the marines on the
Spanish infantry, which is considered
near at hand. The quiet which has
prevailed since Captain Elliott and
Captain Spicer defeated the Spaniards
in the early part of the week is con-
sidered ominous, as to indicate that
the Spaniards are massing their forces
to attack the American position. The
entrenchments have therefore been
strengthened, and a sharp watch is
kept during the night. The Cubans are
of the opinion that the Spaniards have
enough for the time being. and no
further attack will be made at pres
ent.
Yesterday Major General Perez of the
Cuban army, commanding the insur-
gent forces in the province of Santiago,
paid an official visit to the fleet. and
for the first time during the war n
Cuban flag was seen at the masthead
of an American warship and salutad
AS General Perez boarded the Marble
head salute was fired and he was
received by guard of honor After
landing from the Marblehead. General
Perez made short address to the
troops, extolling the action of the
action of the United States in taking
up the Cuban cause He returned to
his post this afternoon, after passing
the night on the Marblehead.
According to the report of General
Perez, the condition of the Spaniards
at Guantanamo and vicinity is very
bad. He says they are eating horses
and mules, and that other food is very
scarce. He does not believe they will
be able to stand a vigorous attack by
one-half their number. He said there
were $500 Cubans in the province,
most of them holding the roads to pre-
vent the Spaniards getting supplies into
Guantanamo.
In his opinion the American forces
can easily take Guantanamo, and from
that point operate against Santiago,
with every prospect of success.
The marines, who are few in number
and desperately overworked, are look
ing anxiously for the appearance Of
the army transports, which have been
expected every day for a week. The
men are in good shape and determined
to do their best, but they feel they
are too small force to withstand an
attack by the entire Spanish force