Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-11
REAL WORK CONES TODAY
Yesterdays Firing Was But the
Prelude Of the Siege
GENERAL SKATER HAS MANY
HEAVY GUNS IN POSITION, AND
WILL BE AIDED BY THE NAVY.
THE SPANISH EVACUATED A
SMALL TOWN, THREE MILES FROM
SANTIAGO YESTERDAY.

| washington, d. c., July l0.-The fact
| that the bombardment of Santiago was
scheduled by General Shafter to begin
SO late in the day created some COLI
| ment, but no explanation of it was Of
fered. In answer to question bearing
upon that point, Gen. Corbin said:
Il have not the slightest information
as to the reasons General Shafter had
for beginning the bombardment at the
hour he names, but it was probably
because he was ready just at that time.
You can speculate about that as well as
l cam
Information received by the War De.
partment during the few days of truce
indicates that General Shafter has ma
terially strengthened his position. Dur
ing the past week he has received re-
Inducements of both artillery and m
fantry. Randolph's battery of twenty
four guns, which left Key West last
! Tuesday at midnight, is now in posi-
ton before Santiago, and as one of the
War Department officials expressed 1t,
when those Long Toms of Randolph's
begin to talk,
SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN
in Santiago"
Gen. Shafter has nearly fifty siege
| guns and a large number of seven
inch mortars, besides lighter artillery
at his disposal. These guns, taken in
connection with the work that can be
done by the fleet, will, it is believed,
carry terror and destruction to San
tiago.
Anxiety has been expressed by the
War Department officials as to
whether Gen. Shafter had a sufficient
| force to prevent the evacuation of
Santiago by the enemy. This anxiety
was allayed about half past twelve to-
/ night by the receipt of dispatch from
Gen. Shafter, which contained con-
firmation, too, of the earlier reports Of
the beginning of the bombardment.
The belief is held by the best inform
ed officials, that Gen. Toral, the Span
ish commander,
WILL SURRENDER
when he finds it will be impossible for
him to evacuate the city. Upon what
grounds this belief is based could not
be ascertained, but that information to
that effect is in the hands Of the War
officials there is no doubt. General
Skaters dispatch tonight shows that
he is engaged now in Strengthening his
position, and tomorrow will follow up
his operations with final assault upon
the city.
General Garcia reports that the enc
| my has evacuated little town called
Doscaninos, about three miles from
Santiago, and near the bay.
The news of the
OPENING OF THE BOMBARDMENT
came at the close of a busy Sunday in
| the War Department Previous to the re-
! ceipt of the dispatch the Secretary of War
| had heard twice from Gen Shafter In
! the early morning came a telegram say
| ing that he had ridden over the American
lines and was gratifed at their condition.
| A second dispatch reported that the lines
were impregnable, thus removing any
| fear of a successful sortie by the Spanish
| troops, should a Vancouver of this kind
/ be attempted. Both kilograms, which all
i so emphasized the fact that Gen. Shat
| ter's physical condition had greatly i'm
| proved, were promptly shown to the Pres
ident. and occasioned him considerable
| satisfaction.
| When questioned as to whether he be-
| lieved that there had been a lombard
ment of the city, Gen. Corbin replied:
"You know as much about it as / do.
I have kept nothing back. l should say,
| however, that the firing to-day was but
| the preliminary to the more serious bus
| mess of tomorrow"
| This being the case. the attempt to take
| the city will probably be made to-day.
HAD A HOT TIME.