Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-10
BRAVE NAVAL RESERVES.
They Plant the Flag on Spanish Soil
mt Cafmaaera.

special copyright cable to the New
York Journal from Kingston, Jamaica, yes
terday, says further details Of the fighting
at Caimanera indicate that it has left GU
al tanamo entirely at the mercy of the
Americans The Naval Reserve boys on
the Yankee again distinguished themselves
by fearlessly taking their boat into the
thick of the fight. and when the batteries
had been silenced they were eager to form
a landing party and attack the entire
Spanish force. Some of them we're given
permission. and with the marines from the
other ships they hoisted the United States
flag over the ruined Spanish fort at Cal
nanera. Soon the insurgents siSnaied and
established a connection With the Ameri-
cans.
Then the Yankee lads wanted 20 go right
on and take Guantanamo then and there.
The Spanards were in a panic, and gal
liant dash might have won The day. But
the older heads saw that the place could
not be held without more troops, and 50 re-
strained The eager naval miiitiamen. But
they held the batteries at Cdimanera and
under the protection Of the ships ii would
take a big army t" disiodge than.
Valuable Base Secured.
Thus was secured valuable base for
operations against Santiago. which is forty
miles distant. None of the Naval Reserve
boys were injured during the fighting,
though the Spaniards made quite a spirited
resistance for several hours after the first
shots were fired.
An officer of the Naval Reserve offered to
head q party to go up to Guantanamo in
launches and capture Spanish Sunboat,
which had fled into the shadows beyond the
fire of the American ships, but the YES
Sci is sure to be captured or destroyed
when Guantanamo is taken, the brave fell
lows were not permitted to risk their lives
unnecessarily.
In fact it is Admiral SIMPSONS chief
concern to keep his too daring commanders
from unnecessary risks. He feels that he
can take Santiago and capture Cervera
with very little loss o. life IL his command
ers will only restrain their impetuosity.
Landing of Troops Awaited.
Operations at Santiago. as well as these
at Guantanamo, await the landing of a
large force of Americans. The way is clear
and the men of the fleet are eager to bring
the Santiago struggle to head.
Artillery is the main thing needed, for
once toe heights about Santiago are storm
ed, it will be necessary to shell Cervera' 8
fleet out of it's hiding place. so Sampson's
ships can get them without removing the
Merrimac or taking too many chances of
being blown up by the harbor mines
The insurgents and Admiral Sampson are
In constant communication, and the Amer
leans have complete plans Of the Santiago
Qualifications. n
1t seems probable that Lieut. HoEson and
bis brave companions. will never be eX-
changed, but rescued, for Santiago will be
taken before the red tape arrangements
can be completed.
The American admiral thinks that at last
he has shut Oft Baancos and Havana from
Geographic communication with Madrid
and the rest of the world except by way of
the United States, iwhera all dispatches can
be duly vised and censored. The cables are
thick about Cuba, z but the Americans be-
lieve they have cut all those except the
ones which run from Havana through Key
West to Punta Rassa, in Florida.