Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-30

WASHINGTON. d. c., June 29.-The
opinion prevails here that within a day
or ,wo al most General Shafter will have
begun his attack upon the city of San
tiago proper. The important event OF the
day was tho Generals announcement that
he could take the city in forty-eight
hours. but az considerable loss. Taken
in connection with the announcement con-
tanned in another dispatch. that he is
going TO attack without awaiting REIN
forccments, it will be seen that the Of
ncials have ground for their expectation
that the first generSl engagement OF the
war will begin in a very short time.
Numerically. the opposing armies are
not very different. the estimate Of the
Spanish force being placed at 1900 men,
thoroughly cnte enched and behind barbed-
wire fences and blockhouses. as against
about 1900 men, under Skaters com
mand, aided by 1000 Cubans. one OF
the gevest elements in the problem.
however. is the Spanish warships, for
unless shafter is materially assisted by
Sampson. who might engage the full at
tention Of the Spanish warships, their
fire upon the American advance forces
would be very hard to meet.
LINAREs TACTFUL.
The military authorities here say that
General Linares has shown great military
tact in slowly retiring during the last
few days. as he has gradually drawn our
troops away fBom the protection OF the
American ships. and brought them close
to the fire OF the Spanish ships in San
tiaeo harbor. For this reason, 1t was
with relief that the announcement was re-
coi,e5 here that Shafter had succeeded In
landing all of his artillery, including ms
siege train for unless Sampson can DC
Yelled upon TO force his way into the
rsrbor and attack the Spanish ships these
sicpe guns. planted on heights command
,re the bay. will be the main reliance oi
,;crcraI shafter in oifsetting the presence
OF the Spanish ironclads.
SPANISH REINFoRcEMENTs
1-rdoybtedlv. shafter IS animated to at
.,cl, az soon as possible by his knowledge
80 ,no arn~oach Of the reinforcements
CO.. IJrars- from Manzanilo, for with
,bis additional force Skaters position
would be disagreeable. if not perilouS' 81
least until he had received reinforce
,,ents The War Department received inc
prgt definite news to-day. as TO the APP
,,-,~cb of these Spanish endorsements
This was in an official dispatch stating
,bat 5000 men. with pack-trains ana
drovcs OF animals, were advancing rom
taozeniuo and were ffty-four miles
,ro-, Santiago. 1t has been known,
through reports from Lieutenant joyce
made TO General Miles, that the Span
isrds have 1900 men al Manzanilio ana
1000 az Holguin and every precautlon
has been taken 20 guard against their
advance from either quarter. The oihciaI
report to-day showed that 5000 OF those
at Nlanzaniuo had covered half the dis
lance 10 Santiago and 1t is the belief of
military officials here that General Pando
IS making a similar advance with his
1000 men. from Holguin. These advances
now practically unopposed, are regarded
rs one OF the most serious phases of the
situation.
LESSONS OF 80 AND '6i.
There is the further element to which
the military authorities are giving care
ful attention, that one man inuenched
behind earthworks OF in rihe-pits IS
worth three men in the open. II is said
that the battles OF Chanceilorville and
SpJtsyIvdnla Afforded me most direct
proof on tnis point.
II was announced at the War Depart
mcnt that. according to their reports
500 soldiers should be leaving Tampa
to-day 70 join Shafter. They Will be
three or four days on the voyage and It
is probable that it is this force that
General Shafter refers to as likely to ar
rive TOO late for his action.
GERMANY, NOT INTERFERING.
The Navy Department to-day gave out
a message from Admiral Dewey. which |
was brought 10 Hongkong by the McCul- !
loch, SO that Il must have left CaYite on !
the sd The Admiral made no reference /
10 the landing OF German marines. and |
the officials here are satisfied that Ger
many is acting in good faith and accord |
inc 10 the rules OF neutrality.
WILL cAMARA RETURN?
The report that the Egyptian Govern
ment had finally refused coal 10 Camara's |
aeet az Po,t Said has not yet been Off
e!sIly confirmed. but It's accuracy is not |
auestioned There s. still some doubt
whether this refusal In Itself viii operate
20 prevent the further movement OF the
spanish squadron toward the Philippines.
as Madrid aGyices alleged purpose on
the part OF the spanish Government 10
send additional oolliers with the expedi-
tion 10 overcome the refusal OF the va
rioue t,or.s al1nl. the WAY 70 the Phillp-