Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-06-04
land ATTACK ON SANTIAGO
OFFERS TO GENERAL MILES
Govern between Two Fires-FrOm
.h. Hills Big Siege Guns Will
Pour a Deadly Rain Upon His YES
sels-Arms and Ammunition Land
cd for the Cuban Insurgents.

Now York. May 3l.-A special to the
Tribune from Washington says:
General Miles made no secret before
leaving Washington of the immediate de
narture of the army for Tampa, though
ha declined to encourage any speculation
&c TO its destination for obvious military
reasons. 1t is known, however, that ever
since the first reports announcing the ar
rival of the Spanish squadron at Santiago
last Saturday night he has been thorough
" live to the practically prohibitive dan
cor which would have to be encountered
Inv an American fleet in lighting its way
mast the elevated batteries and up the
narrow and tortuous channel OF that har-
bor TO force a battle with the Spanards
and has steadily urged upon the authori-
ties the necessity of a land attack on the
Mace as the quickest and most effective
method of dealing Spain crushing blow
His plans have been fully matured with
that end in view and the only question on
which the departure of the army from
Tampa rested was that of Cervela 5 indls-
putable presence at Santiago with an
American fleet outside of sufficient power
to prevent his egress and to destroy HIM
if he attempted to reach the open sea.
In the transports at Tampa, in addition
TO the large quantities Of supplies needed
bv the army, whatever its destination,
have been stored a number of powerful
siege guns, which will be effective for
1,ori IN NIbI baT-
Dor and the city of Santiago lie when
mounted on high positions among the sur
rounding hills.
SchIey May Not Wait.
There is believed to be only single
contingency which could operate to mod
fly General Miles plans for the land at
tack on Santiago, and that may not de-
yelop until the fleet of transports under
the convoy of Admiral SIMPSONS squad
ron arrives off Cape AIaisi in the Wind
ward passage 600 miles from Key West,
and scarcely half a days run from the
proposed landing place on the coast near
Santiago.
There is the possibility that Commodore
Schlev is impatient over the delay IN get
ting at the Spaniards and in the absence
of accurate knowledge that military rem
forcements are at hand may, on drawing
the fire of batteries, ascertain that their
formidabiity has been greatly eNaggerat-
ed and determine to force his way INTO
the harbor and complete the work without
assistance. Should this occur, the fleet OF
transports and warships arriving in the
Windward passage will qui, KY secure the
news from the scout ships and the alter
native destination of Puerto Rico would
at once be known.
Army in Readiness.
The promptness with which the depart
ure of the army from Tampa has been
affected after the last doubt OF CelVera 5
presence at Santiago was removed, VIII
perhaps not be known for several days,
although confidence is expressed that the
celebrity of the movement will prove re
markable annals. In fact, it is minated
in high official quarters that several of the
transports have already reached the rem
devious at Key West, if indeed, the en-
tire fleet is not already on the way.
At Key West an effective addition to
the landing force has been provided III
the marine corps battalion on the trans
port Panther. This force is composed OF
trained men, especially drilled to land I'M
der fire, and it is expected to be the hrst
force ashore wherever the attack Is made
General Miles counts on the active sup
port of the insurgent general Garcia, VINO
was visited by Lieutenant Rowan ana TO
whom carriers have already been sent
informing him of the intent OF the gov
eminent to invest Santiago should an OPP
Grafton be necessary to destroy Cervera s
fleet
Generals Colvalez and Hernandez OF
Garcias staff, who accompanied Lieuten-
ant Rowan by way of the Bahamas TO
Washington, have been constantly con-
suited by General Miles for three or tour
days, giving him information regarding
Santiago province, and they Will accom-
pany the expedition from Tampa and act
as guides for the army after the landing Is
effected
Miles Goes I'm Person.
General Miles dispelled all doubts as to
his own active part in the expedition by
announcing that he would be able to EN-
bark at Tampa on Wednesday on one OF
the fastest small cruisers, which will take
him quickly to the scene of operations
The force will not exceed $4,000, OF when
it is expected over 5000 will take part IN
the siege the others being held in reserve
Tor use if extraordinary resistance Is en-
countered