New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-26
FIGHT STIRS WASHINGTON.
REPORTS FROM GEN. SHAFTER
STRONG REINFORCEMENTS WILL BE
SENT TO SANTIAGO IMMEDIATELY.

Washington. June 25-Interest shifted sharply
to-day from the Navy Department 10 the War
Department The newspaper reports telling OF
the short and bloody engagement between the
Spanards defending Santiago and the Rough
Riders. the romantic figures in the American
Army. aroused popular interest 10 high pitch
Consequently as soon as the War Department
opened for business a crowd Of newspaper men
and other interested persons filed the hall and
the neighborhood OF the bulletin boards seek
ing for some official information that would
supply data missing from the press accounts
1t not until nearly noon that the first
cable dispatch came from General shafter, and
them to the disappointment Of the Department
It even moro meaere than the press reports
In the course Of the day several other dis
patches were received. but they all left much to
be desired. for. being under yesterdays date
they did not relieve the anxiety TO what
happened Yesterday evening and to-day with
the two armies separated by the short space
OF mile and a half. An explanation of this
state Of affairs found in the fact that Cen
eral Shafter failed to take with him from Tampa
the splendid neld telegraph service prepared
with much care by General Greely for just such
campaign as is now being waged It Is proba-
bic that he will avail himself OF the instru-
ments just they can be sent TO him
SATISFIED WITH THE RESULT.
There was a general expression OF grief over
the loss sustained by the soldiers In yesterdays
tight Still officials in high places expressed
themselves thoroughly satisfied with the result
realizing that war cannot be successfully waged
without sacrifice Of lie.
The impression gained from one Of General
Skaters dispatches Is that he Is now about 70
delay his advance until he has secured his ar
tiIlery Such a course would he dictated by
common prudence. for II Is known that the
Spaniards have fortified. so FAR as possible ad-
vanced positions outside OF Santiago and It
would b.. folly 70 throw soldiers unsupported
by artillery against such works. Unfortunately
there promises 10 be some delay in landing all
the artillery owing 10 the loss the voyage
10 Santiago of the big lighter which seems 70
be necessary 70 transfer the heavy guns from
the ships the landing pier. The naval
thor'ties have responded promptly to the ap-
peal ~ the War Department. and some means
viii bc found through the aid Of the warshps
to accelerate the landing of the supplies and
guns
STRONG REINFoRcEMENTs FOR sHAFTER.
Secretary Ager and General Miles held
eral conferences. not much to discuss the
struggle OF yesterday a. to make every military
preparation for the struggle vet 20 come As a
result heavy reinforcements viii 20 forward AT
once. both from Tampa and from Newport
News An expedition Of 500 men is expected
20 leave Tampa within the next three days. II
comprises the command or Brigadier- General
snyder the Third Division Of the First Army
Corps. The stores are already going on board
the transports and the start OF the expedition
only awaits the arrival of the naval convoy
Part - the warships sent over with General
Skaters expedition have been detached from
Admiral Sampsons command and are now on
their way back to Tampa 10 escort the addi-
tional troops. Others VIII follow and then an
other formidable marine procession viii start
across the Gult to Cuba
Whether the battle-sh,p Indiana will lead
this expedition. she did the last is not deh-
nitey settled. There will be several heavy war
ships however. we'll as lighter craft to give
safe conduct to General Snyders division At
the same time General Henrys division will tc
moving along the Atlantic coast and thence t.
Santiago. In all the reinforcements from
Tampa and Newport News will he in the neigh
borhood Of 1900 or 1900 men Drafts on
Chickamnuga likely to follow as soon as the
hurry orders recently given have led 70 the full
equipment OF several commands.
TAKING NO CHANCES OF DEFEAT
The War Department is acting on the theory
that IT is not prudent to take any possible
chance Of a serious reverse near Santiago The
latest Information reaching the authorities here
shows that the Spanish Army IS greater than
has been estimated. Lieutenant Joyce. ot the
Regular Army. reported 70 General Miles to-
day. giving much information as to he number
and location OF the Spanish troops Before
Lieutenant Joyce entered the United States
Army ne had served with General Garcia and
had traversed n large part Of Santiago Province
He was on the ground only a short time ago
leaving there in April. and he had opportuni
To cat an n 1aa ~ bo cva