Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-06-22

out investigating the matter further him.
self.
General Garcia gave the Americans as
surances that they need have no fear of
contracting diseases on the southeastern
coast of Cuba, as the climate there is not'
unheaithful, only extremely hot at this sea-
son OF the year. The Cuban general de-
clared that his own troops. ill-fed and poor
ly clothed as they Were, were in good
health. and, therefore. the Americans need
not fear fevers or other serious ailments.
General Shafter examined the condition
of the Cuban soldiers during his visit. and
was impressed with their hardy and SOL
dierIy appearance, though ne recognized
the fact that they need clothes and pro-
visions. both OF which were given them
during the day.
The interview closed with the understand
ing on the part of both generals that small
bodies of troops are to be landed al once.
at several points along the coast, where
they will be safe from attack by the Span
ish, and Will be able to keep the enemy IN
doubt. for the present, as to their ultimate
intentions.
Among the troops that Will be laHueu
first are a number of men from the engi-
neer corps. who will begin work at once,
preparing for the movement of the main
body.
Generals shafter and Garcia will con-
suit further tomorrow.
1t was nearly dark before the officers re-
turned to the Seguranca. and then she
steamed back to the flagship and took up
position for the night. -
Before nightfall all the other transports
and the conveying warships had drifted
nearer to the shore, and the Spanish SOL
diers, watching from the bluffs on both
sides of the entrance Of Santiago harbor.
must have been impressed by the great
array of vessels standing off shore There
We're nearly sixty of them. including the
troopships and the men-of-war," compris-
= ing Rear Admiral SIMPSONS fleet and the
r squadron of Commodore Schley.
2 The $500 Spanish soldiers and perhaps
. 1900 Spanish sailors guarding the city and
harbor Of Santiago de- Cuba doubtless con-
cluded that there was but small chance
of overcoming the force of American war
ships and some 20.c0O American soldiers
!. and sailors which will be hurled against
: them before the present week is over.
. The dispatch boat Of the Associated
Press left the fleet for the cable station
just at nightfall. when the warships had
taken their positions in a semi-circIe In
front of the harbor entrance. with the
troop ships further out. the sea was COM
:. paratively smooth. for the first time in sew
: eral weeks. and the great feet was almost
motionless. D.
The soldiers, most Of whom beheId the
shores OF Cuba for the first time in their
lives. watched the steep mountain sides
thoughts of home passing through their
minds realizing the fact that in a few.
days they VIII be fighting for theft corn-
try's honor in the deep canyohss which
were then darkiy visible in the gloom of
the passing day, and wondering how many
of them would return TO the homes they
had left to do service I'm the nations cause
and how many would find graves in that
strange and distant land they had come
TO conquer.
The newspaper dispatch boats. which had
been steaming back and forth among the
transports since the arrival of the latter
were held at every stage of their passage
with the request to take letters to the near
est mailing point, giving accounts of the
voyage and announcing the safe arrival of
the army Off the enemy's coast For some
II might be the last word for mother wife
or sweetheart at home from him who had
answered the call of his country and left
family and fireside with light, buoyant
spirits and all the enthusiasm Of youth to
combat foe foreign to him in race, tongue
and natural instincts.
- According TO the naval regulations es-
tablished at the outbreak of the war, not
light was visible on any of the ships
and the Gordon Of men-of-war lying under
the Spanish guns near aforro castle kept
their vigil with more than usual care dur
Ing the dark hours of the night to guard
against the approach Of destroying tor
pedo boat which might attempt to run out
Of the harbor and with one well directed
shot sink troop ship In the depths of the
sea and send the souls of those aboard into
the realms OF eternity