The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-06-30
BIG FIGHT EXPECTED
BOTH ARMY AnE NAVY Aaz6los'uo
uTIsANTIAe9.

peratsly Resist lao,s' of Good Road
Makes It Difficult to Place Heavy Gun
in Advantageous Positions.
Washington, June 29.-At the war am
navy departments the most decisive
sort of operations in Cuba are expected
to be reported before the week shall
end. The news regarding General
Skaters movements is entirely salts
factory ard 1t is generally accepted
that wha, history will know as the
battle of Santiago will be fought within
the next few days.
Thosf who have predicted an easy
victory at Santiago are now changing
their views, for latest advices indicate
that General Linares is preparing for
stubbo1i resistance.
Ever road and bypath leading into
the cit of Santiago 1t Is learned. has
been ined with dynamite by the Spa
nish oldiers, under the direction of
Genepl Linares.
FIR m several sources the information
com hat the Spanish general has a
largsr 'orce at his command than has
beei imposed. Conservative leaders
in b Cuban army declare that at
Leaf fifteen thousand Spaniards have
beeiEathered in Santiago. 1t also is
asSJed that the city's defences have
be[fstrengthened to q marked degree
ar'ethat the capture of the city will
NJ ibe the easy task so many have
e. :cted.
e1us far the Americans seem to be
,ee In need of artillery than of men.
1t Is believed that the composition
the present land force is due to the
an for the cooperation of the fleet.
= The next fighting will be directly be-
ne Santiago. Our troops have swept
III before them. They took Sevilla
1onoer than they had expected to and
a struggle. Owing W the ex-
energy of our commanding
'fficers in pushing the men along. cou-
'led with the eagerness of the troops
% advance, the American flag was
'aised over Sevilla during Saturday
light.
In this village, where General Lin
res made his headquarters while the
american troops were landing, a des
erate engagement was expected. The
'panish troops had been Fastening to |
nat point from all directions for sew
raj days. 1t was the last defence be-
ween Santiago and the American !
roops. Despite its strategic import
nee, however, the Spanish offered but |
title opposition. They fired on our I
oops for some time, but in a desultory |
'ay, and without effect. They then re-
lred from the village. leaving it for
ne Americans to occupy.
Our troops, after making Sevilla n |
'mporary headquarters, pressed on 10
point two miles beyond and estab-
shed themselves within four miles of
The Spaniards halted in
ieir flight at Caney, small settlement
the northeast of Santiago and on the
ght of our line.
General Skaters next order will be
attack the enemys trenches. These
e In regular trocha form. The brush
Is been cleared for a distance of one
ousand yards from the lines. which |
insist OF series of small forts con-
'cted by deep trenches and barbed
ire.
Off Santiago, June 27, via Kingston
lmaica, June 29.-Lieutenant Victor
ue Of the auxiliary gunboat Suwanee
IS returned to the fleet from another
'estlgating trip ashore. He reported
at ADMIRAL CerVera's ships were all
the harbor. With the exception of
e torpedo boat destroyer they are at
chor and show no signs of activity, .
Lieutenant Blue went ashore on SAT-
day to the west of Moro Castle. ac-
by some Cuban guides, He
Vanced until about two miles north
Cabanas and almost up to the enc
Us batteries. He travelled sixtv {
les and reioined the Suwsnee this q
'rning. At one time the lieutenant
5 at a Cuban outpost separated only
four hundred yards from a Span
outpost.
They popped away at each other all
time" said Lieutenant Blue, "Sut
DO not think the Cubans hurt The
aniards very much and / know the
lnlards did met hurt the Cubans."
lieutenant Blue was able to accur-
ly locate the position Of each of Ad-
raj Cervera's ships.
lear Admiral Sampson warned his 7
t this morning to exercise great cara
shooting at the hills east of MORO "
'tle, pointing out that the American VI
ny had advanced and that our own
Dps might be deployed on the hill
:. al