The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-12

the people who have gone out of San
tiago. I am doing my best to relieve
but not entirely successful
SHAFTER-
Opening Fire on the City.
Copyright, 1898. by Associated Press)
Off Santiago de Cuba, via Playa del
Este. July 12.-at half-past nine yester-
day morning, after several range find
ing shots over the ridge protecting San
tiago from the sea. the United States
cruiser Newark opened fire into the city
with her 8-inch guns.
The signal corps officers stationed on
top of the ridge reported the effect of
the shots.
The New York, Brooklyn and Indiana
participated in the firing at intervals
of five minutes.
The bombardment lasted for two
hours, when General Shafter reported
that the shens were mostly falling in
the bay and doing but little damage
The last shot, however, struck prom
inent church in the heart of the city,
which was heavily stored with powder
and ammunition causing a tremendous
explosion.
is not yet known.
When the warships ceased firing and
before General Shafter had begun a
land attack, a flag of truce was seen
coming from the city.
At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the
auxiliary cruiser Yale, with General
Nelson A. Miles, and the United States
protected cruiser Columbia, arrived.
Rear Admiral Sampson visited Cen
eraI Miles Immediately on his arrival
and then the Yale went to Siboney,
General Miles and his personal staff
landing in a pouring rain.
General Miles Arrival.
Washington, July 12.-General Nelson
A Miles. commanding the United States
army, arrived off Santiago bay shortly
after noon yesterday. Upon the arriv-
al of the auxiliary cruiser Yale, on
which General Miles was a passenger,
communication was opened with Ad-
rniral Sampson and the two command
ers were soon in conference.
During the early afternoon General
Miles landed at Playa del Este and
communicated with General Shafter,
commanding the American forces be
fore Santiago. by telephone. What the
nature and result of the two cOnsulta-
tiOns were is not disclosed at the war
department, but General Miles was
placed in possession of all salient points
of the situation from the view point of
both the navy and the army.
1t is believed to have been Gen. Miles
purpose to proceed Immediately to Gen.
Shafter's headquarters at SibOney and
after discussing with Shafter the lat
ter's plan of campaign, to make a per-
sonaI examination of the American po-
sition. Tt is not to be understood that
Gen Miles is to supersede Gen. Shaf-
ter in command of the United States
forces before Santiago. Gen. Shafter
is operating there under written in
structions from the secretary of war.
approved by the president, and as long
as he is able physically to direct the
troops, he will retain his command.
A prominent official of the war de-
partment said that neither the admins
tration nor Gen. Miles had any desire
to detract an iOta from the credit due
Gen. Shafter for the plans by which he
has hoped to achieve a victory at San
tiago.
The notable fast run made by the
cruiser Yale from Charleston to San
tiago is particularly pleasing 10 the ma
val officers. She left Charleston, Sat
urday morning at O'Clock, making the
run in trifle less than two days and
half.The Columbia which left Charles
ton. practically simultaneously with the
Yale, so far as can be learned, has not