The Portland daily press., 1898-06-24
Sagasta Says That Camara's Fleet
Is Going To Manila.

Washington, June 23.-Seoretary Alger
| and General Miles were in conference as
four ocl ock this afternoon when the first
Madrid bulletin announcing that fighting
had begun, was shown to them. The
Secretary read it aloud and both ex-
pressed themselves gratifed with this fav-
orable report, coming as it did from the
enemy There was no surprise that the
fighting had begun SO soon. 1t was sug
gested by the reporter that the troops had
completed their landing only this morn
ing. Eyes, but they went there to fight
and are ready to begin 1t at once" replied
General Miles. Secretary Ager said no
word had been received up to that hour
indicating that fighting was in progress
He had no reason to doubt, however, that
our troops had encountered the Spanish
forces and had given good account of
themselves. He commented On Admiral
Cervera's cable, that the situation was
critical and that the Spaniards had been
obliged to retire as in strong contrast
with Madrid's claim Of tSpanish vic
tory
troops would push forward aggressively,
driving in the Spanish and forcing them
to fight. There was not a suggestion
of apprehension or doubt either with Sec
rotary Alger or General Miles, as to what
the outcome would be. They were conf
dent that General Shafter and his troops
would be hammering at the gates of San
tiago before long.
The impression here is that the Span
iards will make their strongest stand
| close to Santiago and the inner harbor
within the range of protection of the
guns of the big Spanish cruisers lying
there. There is no doubt that until these
ships are removed from the field of opera-
tions, the campaign against Santiago will
be conducted with great odds. The guns
OF the ships command the hills over
which our soldiers must go to attack the
town and reach the bay, but we will soon
bring our own artillery into play. The
naval officials here believe that whom the
tlme CONES Tor an attack upon the town
Sampson will force his way into the har-
Dor and take part in the engagement
They are satisfied that the wreck of the
Merrimac does not completely block the
channel and say that if Sampson does
not come in the Spanish feet is likely to
make desperate effort to get out
The mines are to be considered but 1t
is believed that once Moro castle is taken
by the combined attack of the soldiers and
fleets these obstructions can be easily re-
moved.
he only positive news coming to the
war department up to the close of office
hours was despatch to General Miles
from one of his staff officers, with General
Shafter, and also brief despatch to Gen
eral Greely from Lieutenant Colonel
Allen. General Miles's despatch stated in
substance that the landing of troops had
been completed without any casualties
save to one Cuban soldier who had his
arm injured by the bursting of shell.
The troops of Garcia and Rabi, about 57O0
In number, had met the American forces
With enthusiastic greetings.
Stress was laid upon the point that the
Cubans were we'll armed and well disci-
cplined. General Garcia was confident
that his forces would be swelled to 10000
men as soon as Santiago fell About the
ONLY need among the Cubans was shoes
and ouinine. The despatch to General
Greelev merely stated that progress was
hping made in connecting the military
forces directly with the war department..
Ouring the day orders were issued to the
entire division comprising the created
command of Brigadier Henry for its
speedy departure to reinforce , General
third Michigan regiment and one battal.
ion of the thirty fourth Michigan have
started on this mission. Today's orders
cover the balance of General Henry's
command. 1t includes the remaining
battalions of the Bath Michigan and the
9Th Massachusetts regiment. These will