New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-02
ON THE EVE OF THE BATTLE
PLA NNING FOR THE ATTACK
BALLOONS USED FOR OBSERVATION OF
SPANISH INTRENCHMENTS AND
SANTIAGO HARROR

SfANlSH ENTERTAINMENTS AMI
SANTIAGO HARBOR.
General Lawtons Headquarters. Rio Guamo.
Cuba Thursday. June 80. 8 p. m. Via Kingston.
Jamaica. July l. $50 a. m.-Daylght to-mor-
row will see a movement Of the Fifth Division.
under General Lawton to a new base north and
east OF Santiago
All this morning General Garcia's Cubans have
been moving from their hill camp on the east.
and have been passing headquarters almost at .
Jog trot.
Assuming that four thousand men will be de-
ployed on the northeast. the American advance
is one big net. which is now drawing closer
around the doomed city.
General Lawtons men will move at daybreak.
Three miles east Of their present position there
rises a narrow ridge in the Santiago valley.
Southwark from here the troops can look down
on Caney. tiny. picturesque. Old. and once
thriving Spanish town. almost at their feet.
Three miles west. crowning a low ridge that
crosses the Santiago valley. seen the Span
ish barracks and large red building over
Relns Mercedes Hospital where. according to
all accounts, Lieutenant Hobson and his COM
panions are imprisoned.
The valley, three miles wide, would be gar
den spot in time Of peace. Now Il s filed with
rank tropical growth. covering abandoned
plantations. The only sign Of a habitaton be-
tween Santiago and Caney is Duguro House.
| once hospitable country hotel, bur now used
by the Spanish as a barracks
sKIRMISH EXPECTED AT cANEY
| Opposite on the northern side OF the valley.
| is broad plateau. accessible by good road.
This is the key TO Santiago Artillery there
could command the city and force the Spanish
70 evacuate. or storm the heights TO capture
the battery.
General Lawton and his command from tho
ridge will FIRST take caney. A slight sk.rm!sh
is expected. but nothing serious the captured
pac.icos all alleging that the Spanish main
force. which here four days ago. has now
been withdrawn into Santiago In pursuance Of
| a general plan OF concentration.
Spies report that General Linares continues to
retreat toward Santiago. This plan is said to
be much against his own wishes. but TO b
forced upon him by his superior oficer. General
Toral. commanding at Santiago 1t Is evident
| that the Spanish stand is to be made inside the
| strong intrenchments Of the city.
The temper OF the spanards is hard to ascer-
tain Owing to the Cubans' biassed estimate Of
spanish ability they predict merely nominal
resistance; but the Americans think otherwise
At any rate the Spanish are eating horses and
the civilians are gathering mangroves IN a sub
urban wood. where some twenty have been cap
tured by the American patrol. The Span!ards
have, therefore. the spur OF hunger. Whether
It has broken their fighting spirit few days
may tell.
COMMAND IS WELL PRovIsrONEn
The capture Of Caney. and possibly the occu-
patton Of the commanding plateau. is now
thought to be the limit Of to-morrow's move
ment. General Lawtons command carries pro-
visions sufficient to last until July f. With the
present supply train service continuing without
70 last till July IL. BY that time. according to
one well-nformed officer. and perhaps sooner.
Santiago will be taken.
This move Of the Fifth Division WILL complete
" turn the Spanish eastern flank. General
Kent.s command will be able TO move up parai-
lei to Its present position. acting as a wall
| against the horde ot Spaniards from three
strong lines south and east. Should a serious
| effort be made to prevent General Lawton from
| gaining the desired plateau and the Spanish
interior forces thereby be weakened. General
Kent and General Wheeler may be thrown for
ward. precipitatng a general engagement.
A large detail has been at work all day i'm
nroying a military road to eaney with view
Of the artillery and the supplies for the other
force cutting through the woods parallel to the
old Santiago road. 1t Is also possible that this
onening may be used to bring inland from the
| railway the siege guns that now -yorking
ND the coast in the hands Of our troops.
TROOPS IN GOOD CONDITION
rh. condition Of the American troops IL ex.
cellent. Despite the hard rains and the hot
aim onlv eighteen out Of General Lawton's s. .033
were reported i'll on to-day's sick CALL The
| ya,,ters International Dictionary is marvel In
| bookmaking both in literary contents and mechan-
| ical excellence: II is satisfactory in every way
| II represents the best there Is in the English
lop student.