The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-16


tiagO City.
Washington Bureau st. Paul Globe, !
corcoran Building. {
Special to The st. Paul Globe
WASHINGTON, June 15.-News re-
celved at the war department. today
was Of the cheering sort, and the gloom
that was so noticeable yesterday had
entirely disappeared. The seriousness
OF the situation at Guantanamo was
fully appreciated and the delay in the
departure of Gen. Skaters invading
army gave rise to all sorts of unpleas-
ant predictions as to what might re-
suit from the delay. The possible loss
of the advantage gained by the occupa-
ton of Guantanamo was suggested
and the moral effect of such a catas-
trophe was what was mCst dreaded by
the war department. officials. Today
came the welcome announcement Of the
arrival at Guantanamo of 1900 Cubans,
belonging to Garcia's forces. The an
nouncement was accompanied by the
statement that the Cubans had already
rendered efficient service and demon
strated their value as guerrilla fight
ers. They can, 1t Is said, give the
Spaniards pointers in bushwhacking,
ard that is just the sort of work that
is needed at Guantanamo until the reg
ular troops arrive.
NAPOLEONIC MANEUVER.
War department officials smiled sig
rificantly as they pointed to a para
graph in the communication on the
subject to the effect that the Cuban
general, Rabbi, had executed a Napol-
comic move by capturing and occupy
ing the town of AcerraderCs, less than
ten miles distance from Santiago. To
add to the pleasure of the achievement,
it was made known that this master
move was arranged by the Cuban au-
thorities, in conjunction with war de-
partment officials at Washington, and
its successful issue was naturally all
the more satisfactory. By this strate-
gic move Gen. Rabbi has cut the Span
ish forces in two, and there is now no
chance for reinforcements to reach the
beleaguered forces cooped up in Santi-
ago City.
SANTIAGO is STARVING.
Another piece of information impart-
ed to the war department officials was
to the effect that Rabbits movement
has placed the Spaniards in Santiago
in decidedly precarious position. Their
supplies are already limited-in fact,
the city Of Santiago is in starving
condition. 1t is sa i that Admiral Ger
vera's presence in Santiago bay is not
regarded with that same degree of en-
thusiasm and cordiality evinced upon
the arrival of the American squadron.
This Is due to the fact that the food
supply, already scarce, has been great
ly diminished by the additional inroads
of the Spanish sailors and marines
manring sCervera's fleet The situa-
tion is said to be so serious that capt.
ulation of Santiago may be brought
about by the pangs Of hunger instead
Of the whistling Of bullets.
MARINES IN NO GREAT DANGER.
The war department has advices
from Admiral Sampson to the effect
that the marines who have planted the
Stars and Stripes on Cuban soil at
Guantanamo are in no great danger,
beyond that which they naturally must
expect to experience in the bushwhack-
ing methods of the Spaniards. The
marines are so situated that, in case
of the appearance Of an overwhelming
force, they can retreat in good order
to the American warships in possession
of Guantanamo bay. 1t is believed
here that all the information, more
than has been given out for days, is
coming direct, for it is known that Ad
miral Sampson had taken to Guanta-
namo operators and the necessary in
struments to begin business with the
French cable recently captured at that
place.
LANDING OF TROOPS.
There is no attempt at Disgusting
the fact that the war department Of
ficials are considerably perpleXed over
the question of landing troops in the
vicinity of Santiago. 1t is almost abb
solutely necessary that there be a
pier upon which to handle the heavy
artillery taken by Gen. Skaters expe-
dition for the reduction Of the Span
ish stronghold. That is one reason
why no more men were sent on the
initial expedition. The number with
Gen. Shafter will be sufficient to gar
rison all the strong points covering
Guantanamo harbor, and if more
troops are needed the vexed problem
of the landing will not In the future
stand in the way.
NO MORE TROOPS NEEDED.
Secretary Alger is authority for the
statement that the government is not
even contemplating another call for
volunteer troops. The department is
completing the work of equipment and
is satisfied that there are a sufficient
number of men under arms today to
accomplish ali that is contemplated in
the campaigns that have been arrang
ed for. The war department today re-
ceived reports from the commission
appointed to inspect Southern harbors
for the purpose of selecting camping
grounds and ports for the embarka-
ton of troops. Fernandina, Fla, is
said to have been regarded with most
favor for the latter purpose. There
are any number of points where camps
can be established and successfully
maintained.
FOREIGN INTERFERENCE
Government officials do not seem T.,
be at all worried about the persistent
rumors to the effect that Germany and
Russia are contemplating interference
in the Philippines campaign The dip
lomatic representatives of those coun-
tries scout as untenable all such sug-
gestions. Neither Germany nor Russia
can afford to interfere at this stage Of
the proceedings. At the German en-.