New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-20
PRICE THREE CENTS.
READY TO BURN CAIMANERA.
SITUATION so DESPERATE THAT IN.
HABITANTS PREPARE TO APPLY
THE TORCH


on Guantanamo Saturday. June 1s. via King
ston. Jamaica, June 19.-Cuban scouts report to.
day that the inhabitants OF Caimanera have
strewn the streets with straw and oil with the
intention Of destroying the city and fleeing to
the hills.
Calmanera lies four miles UP the bay from
Camp McCalla. under the guns of the American
ships. and the situation is desperate. Starving
and famne-stricken. convinced Of the ultimate
triumph OF the American arms, and without
faith in the protection OF the Spanish soldiery,
the people believed to have determined to
leave their houses and seek safety in the noun
tans. The scouts say that every building OF
the town is being rapidly prepared for the torch.
The situation In the town is terrible. The peo-
pie are eating horses and mules, and are scour-
ing the hills for fruits and herbs. Occasionally
brief bombardments by the American fleet leave
the helpless citi7 ms terror-stricken.
II is also stated hat the Spanish gunboat at
Calinanera has been loaded with inflamnables,
and will be burned with the city, her COM
mander declaring that she will never become an
American Irize.
The scouts also say that the Spanish soldiers
are in almost as complete state of panic as
are the civilians. and that they could easily be
induced to surrender Some Of the prisoners
taken by the marines also say they believe the
Spanish troops are on the verge Of surrender
owing to the lack O. food.
ANOTHER ATTACK EXPECTED
Captain McCaa and Lieutenant Colonel
Huntington. in command Of the marines, are not
so sure, however. that the Spaniards VIII not
attempt another attack on the camp They re-
ceved information yesterday that general at
tack by a force OF thrtyfve hundred Spanish
soldiers end guerillas on Camp McCaila is con-
templated within night two. Every prep
aration was made last night to repe an assault
Marines were lying in the rife-pits at tho
guns. ready and anxious for battle, but the
night passed without the firing of a shot The
same watchful care was exercised to-day. as
Captain McCalla is convinced that an attack Ii
likely TO occur at any moment.
The Iowa joined the fleet here this morning.
and later the Admiral came over on the flagship
10 inspect the fortifcations and confer with
Captain McCalla and Lieutenant Colonel Hunt
ington.
The coast in the vicinity OF Guantanamo IS
dotted with bright-hued Cuban flags Numerous
camps Of the insurgents. which have been estab-
lshed along the beach between Santiago and this
place are used by the Admiral a means OF
communication with me Cubans in the Interior.
The aid which these men have given has proved
highly valuable to the Americans Their stories
OF the desttution and revolt among the Span
ish soldiery in this vicinity have been corrobo-
rated by interviews with prisoners captured
around the camp
LAUNCH CAPTURES FIVE SPANIARDs
General Perrejo. who IS in command Of the
Spanish forces here. is undoubtedly in bad
WY in regard to obtaining food for his men.
The prisoners who have been captured appear to
have been ill-fcd and are apparently ndiffer-
ent 20 their fate.
Another body Of five Spaniards was captured
Yesterday by Ensign 4 i Pratt. Of the Marble
head While cruising ir a steam launch outside
the bay he picked up a iifty-foot sloop contain
ng a Spanish captain ram ed Lores and four
sailors They said hey were their way to
Guantanamo to get a supply Of oil for the light
house at Cape Maysi. but papers found on the
sloop Pre- we'd that they had been sent to obtain
information relative to the American forces. The
crew of the sl,op asserted that they had been
il.fed and n-treated.
There was a brief bombardment Of a block
house up the bay 10y the battle-ship Oregon yes
terday and it is believed tfat during the firing
a; least a score cf Spanidrds we're killed. Scout
ing parties repor, that the blockhouse was CON-
pIetely destroyed.
Late this afterno the flagship New York re-
turned to the fleet off Santiago de Cuba
The marines are growing very restless owing
to the delay in the arrival OF the reinforcements
of troops. but it IS generally believed here to-
day that the transports will reach Santiago de
Cuba not later than Monday.
A rumor 10 the effect that Lieutenant Hobson
and his fellow heroes OF the collier Merrmac
mad been seen the walls OF MORO Castle.
under Spanish guard. caused much excitement
among the men with the fleet off Santiago to-
day but the story is discredited on Commodore
Schey's flagship. The officers there say that
Spanish sertries mistaken for the Ameri-
can prisoners
SMUGGLING FOOD INTO CUBA.