Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-07
WAR NOTES.

Dispatches received in Washington
last night state that the Spanish ran the
cruiser Reins Mercedes ashore Monday
in the harbor of Santiago, near the
wreck of the Merrimac. Their object
was to shut out the American fleet, but
it is stated that they failed to block the
channel. The Indiana poured ter
rife broadside into the Reina Mercedes.
The destruction of the Reina Merce-
des accounts for the last ship of Adj
miral Cervera's once splendid squadron.
She lies in plain view, her bow resting
on the base of the beach under Ell Nor
70. Part of the hull is above water,
and her masts and two stacks are en-
tirely out of water.
Rumors of q similar effort to block
the channel have been circulated before
but the first actual effort in that direc-
ton seems to have been made Monday.
Late details show that the Spanish
had 400 killed, 500 wounded and hun
dreds of prisoners captured in the
naval battle last Sunday. Cervera's
sailors are said to have been drunk at
the time. The Brooklyn was struck
thirty.six times by projectiles, but, it is.
stated, was not injured.
There is still a difference of opinion
between General Shafter and Admiral
Sampson as to the tactics TO be pursued
at Santiago. General Shafter is of the
opinion that the navy should force en-
trance to the harbor at once, while the
Admiral is inclined to think that the
army should first take Moro Castle.
1t is argued by naval officers that il Adj
miral Sampson is obliged to enter the
harbor before the forts are captured he
will jeopardize the safety of the whole
fleet under his command, since, by the
sinking of one of these shiEs in the mar
row channel, through Spanish mine
or shell, the feet might be left helpless
and exposed to destruction under lhe
guns of the forts.
A dispatch from the scene of opera
tions near Santiago says the army is in
an alarming situation and that the
hardships of the troops are almost too
much for human nature 20 endure.
General Shafter, it is said, has not beer
within two miles of the front and his
orders are disobeyed.
Archbishop Utoria, on Bonded knees,
is said to have implored General Lin
ares to surrender Santiago. General
LiDares is reported to have sent word
to General Shafter that this garrison
dies, but never surrenders." The New
York Herald's Washington correspon-
dent, however. says Santiago may sur
render to the American army without
further engagement. A dispatch has
been received at New York from Gen
eral Shafter in which it is stated THAI
the strongest pressure is being brought
to bear upon General Linares to yield
to the American forces.
The Spanish feet commanded by Adj
miral Camara has arrived at the south
ern end of the Suez canal. The battle
ship Pelayo's machinery is out Of order.
Despair and rage are said to prevail
in Madrid at the news of Cervera's de-
feat. 10 some quarters it is considered
likely that Silvela or Campos will sue
coed Sagasta as premier and propose
peace.
1t is almost certain that Brigadier
General Miller will head the fourth ex-
petition to the Philippines, which is
now expected to start from San Fran
cisco next Monday or Tuesday on the,
steamers Peru and City of Pueblo.
The Spanish fleet commanded by Ad-
miral Camara has arrived at Suez, and
has been notified by the officials of the
Egyptian government that 1t must leave
that port within twenty-four hours
Tho bos oil ,,4t;EaI
Admiral that he will not be allowed to,
coal there.
According to dispatches received at
Gibraltar from Madrid, the Spanish
government has ordered Admiral
Camara 30 return to Spain. General
Ochande has arrived at Algeciras to in
spect the sites of the new batteries.