The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-07-02
BEFORE SANTIAGO.
News of a Battle May Be Received
at any Moment.
ARMY And NAVY WILL COOPERATE.
Gen. Shafter Busy in Making Final rrcPs-
rations for the Great Rattle that IL
Imminent-General Review
OF the Situation.

GtStFlDcu Dy ScCTctdIA AlSCi Do oS'hS
such Is to warrant him in entertain
Ing the expectation of important news
at .ny moment. Thee were " par
ties to Il battle and it might be pre-
cipitated by either side. and no one
here knew what the Spanish DISPOSE
ton was. Nor is much more known
respecting zen. Skaters plan of at
tack. although in his messages of
Wednesday he indicated a purpose to
move early in the evening. as shown
by his declaration that reinforcemcnts
could not reach him before he offered
battle.
Direct TeIesraphIc communication Estab-
Iished.
Secretary Alger was very much
gratifed when he learned yesterday
thai direct Geographic communication
now existed between Washington and
Gen. Skaters headquarters at Sib-
oney. Heretofore all messages from
the general have been delayed "a hours
owing to the necessity of sending
them across rough country to reach
the cable station. The loss of SO much
IlLIG Hight Dt VIAL II CdoN VI vi SS"S
need for reinforcements or of ammuni-
tion and supplies.
The Navy VIII Cooperate in the Attack
on Santiago.
The opinion is held that the navy
will cooperate in the attack on San
tiago, and that to hat end part of
Skaters force is to move directly upon
MORO castle to capture the forts and
to enable the naval launches to open
the gateway into the harbor by remov-
ing the mines. The experience of the
vessels while, in Guantanamo harbOr in
pulling up the mines there is expected
to very much facilitate similar work
at Santiago.
Making all Ready for the Final Asss ult.
No telegram came to the war depart
ment Yesterday from Gen. Shafter, and
the understanding here is that he is
employing his time TO the best advan-
tage in taking his artillery and max
ing all ready for the final assault upon
Santiago. 1t is not known how far the
Spanish reinforcements have advanced
since Wednesday, but Gen. Shafter has
full knowledge of their movements.
and it is believed is not likely to delay
his attack until they have strength
ened the garrisons at Santiago by unit
ing with Linares.
Appears to Have Encountered Many Diff
cuIties.
The second expedition from Tampa
to reinforce Shafter appears to have
encountered almost as many difficult
ties as the original expedition in get
ting away. 1t vas confidently eX-
pected here that the start would be
made from Tampa last Monday, but
one difficulty after another has arisen
to retard the movements so that II was
with a feeling of relief that the news
came to the department from Tampa
that the flagship of the expedition, the
Hudson, and swung out into tae stream
and was ready to lead the procession
OF transports which. it is believed, by
this time are under way. bound for
Santiago.
1t is calculated that the second in
stailment of the reInforccments dis
patched to Shafter from Camp Alger,
via steamer from Newport News.
reached HIM yesterday on the Har-
ward. and the steamer Yale is expected
at Newport News to-day, returning
FROM her first trip with Duflield's SOL
dicrs TO take more rcinforcements.
probably including GarretsOn's bat
talon.
The Department IL Thoroughly Satisfied
with the success attending this method
of transporting the troops from Camp
Alger. having found il to be not only
much more economical than the CON
bined rail and water route via Tampa.
but more expeditions. The steamers
will be further awaited of in pursuance
of Secretary Alger's intention to con
tinue to dispatch reinforcement after
reinforcement TO Shafjer until he has
an overpowering force al his command.
The secretary believes that 10 %rudni
is lost in this way. for if there is IN
overplus of troops at Santiago they can
be easily used elseW nero.
Gen. CopainGer No; g." a." to Santiago.
Nai-Gen. COppinger is not to 70 to
Santiago with any of these additional
forces. He is senior to Gen. Shafter
and IL sent to Santiago. by virtue of
the army regulations, would assume
command of the army in front of that
place. Therefore it Is likely that he
Will be reserved for the command OF
t., Porto Rican expedition.
OI.y Iiasiened the Preparations Making
ru- the Departure of the EI>t-
crn Squadron.
1t was announced at the navy depart
mrnt yesterday afternoon that the
Suduish Cadiz squadron had paid the
heavv Suez canal tolls and was about
proceeding eastward through the canal.
tGcI-h this statement was probably
in view of the later reports
indicating that the Spanish vessels
were stopping for repairs. The advices
only FASTENED the preparations making
for the departure Of Commodore Wat
sons eastern squadron. The COM
modore has reported to the navy
department his arrival off San
tiaro. and is in consultation
with Admiral Sampson respecting the
details of the cruise, which, it is ex-
pccted, will occupy fully four months.
provided the war endures that length
OF time. The delays to which the
Spaniards are subject at Port Said Will