The age-herald., 1898-07-11
ALL READY FOR
 POSSIBILITIES Everything on the Firing Line Prepared for Bombardment. DYNAMITE GUN MOUNTED Mill Hurl Its Char < of Gun Cotton Into the Spe7 $. trenches.
  THE sPAAIS /: ARE NOT IDLE Their Gu 'ch Larger Than Those O. the Americans.
 
GREAT THINGS EXPECTED OF NAVY
Admiral Sampson Claims To Be Able to Drop One Shell Into the City Every Two Minutes The Spaniards Short
 of Provisions.

Before Santiago, Saturday, July g, D. m., Per Associated Press Dispatch Boat Wanda, Via Port Antonio and Kingston, Jamaica, Sunday, July 10, Il a. m.-Every- thing on the firing line is now ready for the commencement of hostties in case the Spanish generals do not surrender. The dynamite gun, which has been in position for several days, is now in better working order than at the time of the battle Of San Juan, and it is predicted that its charges, consisting of twenty pounds of gun cotton and gelatne, will work havoc in the Spanish trenches when it opens fire.
 Twelve mortars in one battery are now mounted and ready for use, and they arc relied upon to do effective work in shelling the city. The batteries of artillery are now posted on Fl Paso ridge, 240O yards from tne town, and the Capron and Grimes bat teries are HOO yards to the north of the road in the rear of General Lawton's di- vision
 In firing the field guns will be compelled to shell the town over the heads Of our own men, but the artillery officers say 1t can be done safely and without injury to our soldiers. The dynamite gun has been so placed that 1t will be able to enfilade several of the Spanish lines.
 Has Been No Truce
 On the other hand, during the truce which so far as regards the continuance for preparations, has been no truce what ever, the Spanards have not been idle. They have been mounting guns, and some of these are of much heavier caliber than the American army can bring into play. Some of their guns are of antiquated pat af others are capable of excellent work. One Finch gun which had so perfect a range during the battle of San Juan has been located with especial by the Ameri- can gunners and it will be the recpent of especial attention when hostilities re- open.
 General Bates division which holds the extreme left of the line moved forward today to a new position four hundred yards in advance of it's former line. It has since the battle of San Juan, planted the edge of a precptious ravine, walls of which are about eighty feet high. This ravine is about 700 yards long and about four hundred wide. General Bates has now moved the Twentieth infantry to the side of the ravine nearest Santiago, and placed the Third infantry at right angles with the Twentieth.
 When hostilites are opened by the bom- bardment great things expected of the navy. Admiral Sampson is quoted through out the army is swing that he will drop one shell into the city every five minutes, and if that is not sufficient to do the work he will drop one into the city every two min utes. This fire, in addition to what the land forces will turn in, it is thought, will be sufficient to reduce the Spaniards to a point where they will surrender
 Hawkins Returns Nome
 General Hawkins, commanding the first brigade of Rents division who was wound- ed in the foot during the attack on our lines Saturday night has returned to the United States. Colonel Theaker of the infantry has succeeded General Hawkins in the command of the brigade and Colonel Wood of the Rough Riders. will succeed General Young Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt will command the Rough Riders hereafter.
 Sixteen Spanish prisoners who were were turned over to the Spaniards yesterday afternoon. Dr. .Goodfellow and Captain Fryer escorted the ambuances and the correspondent of the Associated Press accompanied them. The Spaniards dis played great gratitude for this kindness and there was cordial fraternizing In which the Spaniards' desire for peace stood put like a headlight in a fog. There is no ioubt that the subordinate Spanish off, cers are anxious to surrender, but they practically said that upon General Toral's decision they would 2.G3. They admitted hat they were short cf provisions, but all appeared to be detest ined and resolute md willing to die, if Feed be, in the de- ense of the city.