The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-06-10
FORTS BATTERED
Portion of Simpsons Fleet
Does Good Work.
THREE MORE CABLES CUT
Brave Tars in the American Navy
Cover Themselves with
Distinction.

While Cables Are Being Severed the De-
lenses Of Caimanera Are Reduced-Citi-
Gems Of the Town Flee in Terror to
Places Of Safety MANY spaniards Re-
ported to Have Been Killed-Navsl Re-
serves Win Laurels.
New York, June "A special cable
from Cape Haytien says: Admiral
Sampson has forced his way into Guam
tanamo harbor. forty-five miles east of
Santiago. securing a safe anchorage in
case Of hurricane and a landing place
for troops. Another dispatch says that
reports indicate that the fighting has
Santiago.
Key West, Fla, June s.-Persistent
rumors, credited by some naval officers
Of high rank, are in circulation here to
the effect that three Spanish warships
have succeeded in forcing their way
into the harbor Of Havana. One re-
port says that a Spanish battleship and
two cruisers have entered the harbor.
Cape Haytien, July, Give Ameri-
can warships at $3.50 in the morning
began to shell the Notifications Of
Caimanera on the Bay Of Guantanamo.
Many Spaniards are reported to have
been killed. The Americans fire was
most effective, driving the Spanish gum
ners in CONSERVATION from the defense
Of their works and then from the town
OF Caimanera, In which they took ref
uge. The inhabitants Of the place also
Joined in the rout. The vessels which
took part in the bombardment were the
cruiser Marblehead, the auxiliary cruis-
ers st. Louis and Yankee and two gun
boats.
Cuts Three Cables.
The latter, however, paid little atten-
ton to the Spanish forts, directing their
efforts to cutting the cables which run
out of Caimanera. Three cables were
cut under protection Of the larger ves-
sells of the fleet. One of the cables was
that connecting Caimanera with the
city of Santiago de Cuba. The Ameri-
can fleet appeared off the entrance to
Guantanamo just as the rising sun be-
gan to redden the horizon. With the
Marblehead in the lead, the little squad
ron sailed into the bay. While the
Marblehead, the st. Louis and the Yam
kee formed in battle order before the
forts and opened fire, the little gunboats
darted out from the line and began to
grapple for the cable. The fire from the
cruisers was rapid and we'll directed,
and was replied to with vigor by the
Spanish.
Naval Reserves Win Laurels.
All the men on board the warships
worked with enthusiasm, the New York
naval reserves on board the Yankee
earning their share of laurels at the
guns The bombardment continued un-
til the gunboats cutting the cables had
concluded their labors. This was at 2
o'clock in the afternoon. The fleet then
sailed out of the bay and took up po-
sition about three miles from shore.
The shells from the warships early be-
gan to tell on the Notifications, from
which the fire became weaker and
weaker. One battery after another was
silenced, until finally not shaft Of
fire or balloon of smoke issued from
the face of the forts to tell Of contin-
ued resistance. AS the walls Of the
Notifications began to tumble on them
the Spanish gunners deserted their
posts of duty and ran to the town,
which was in q state Of high excite
ment. -.
People Are Panic Stricken.
with the silencing of the forts still
greater panic fell upon the residents Of
Caimanera, who feared the Americans
would complete the work by destroying
the town, and there was general
movement for places Of safety. Many
shells from the American ships ex-
ploded In close proximity to the houses
on the outskirts Of Caimanera. A re-
port reached here that several houses
were struck by projectiles. No damage
was done to the fleet. 1t was believed
in Caimanera that the feet was bonn
harding with a view to opening a way
for the landing of American troops near
that point With the withdrawal from
the bay of the American ships those
who had fled from the town ventured to
return, and excitement was succeeded
by calmness.
May Offer Resistance.
The Spaniards there apparently are
determined to offer desperate resistance
to any attempt Of the Americans to
land troops, and are preparing to make
the most effective defense possible un-
der the circumstances. The military
commander of the district has issued
an order to burn the town II necessary
to prevent the Americans from profit
ing by its occupation. Similar measures,
1t is understood, are being taken at
Santiago. After a cessation Of firing
from the forts the fleet concentrated
it's fire upon the blockhouse, at which
the cables Of a French line land, and
speedily demolished 1t. The cables
which connect the blockhouse with Cal
manera were cut On account Of the
cutting Of the cable to Santiago tele-
graphs communication with that place