The record-union., 1898-06-24
AGGRESSIVE
MOVEMENT
TO Be MADE.
Troops Will Push on to
Santiago,
Driving in the Spanish and
Forcing them to Fight.
Sampson Expected to Push His
Way Into the Harbor,
After Moro Castle Has Been Attacked and
Suhdued, Giving the Fleet
Chance to Remove the Sub
marine Mines.
Sampson Expected to Push His
Way Into the Harhor,


-Alger and General Miles We're in con-
ference in the Secretarys office at
O'Clock to-day, when the first Madrid
bulletin announcing that fighting had
begun was shown to them. The Sec
retary read it aloud with evident salts
faction and both of them expressed
themselves gratified with this favor
able report coming as it did from the
enemy There was no surprise that
the lighting had begun so soon. 1t was
suggested by the reporter that the
troops had completed their landing only
this morning.
Yet, but they have gone there to
fight. and are ready to begin at once,
replied General Miles.
Secretary Alger said that no word
had been received up to that hour in
dicating that fighting was in progress.
He had no reason to doubt, however,
that our troops had encountered the
Spanish forces. and had given a good
account of themselves. He commented
on Admiral Cervera's cable that the
situation was critical" and that The
Spaniards had been obliged to retire,
as in strange contrast with Madrid's
claims of Spanish victory"
General Miles said that the American
troops would now push forward ag-
gressively. driving in the Spanish and
forcing them to fight. There was not
suggestion of apprehension or doubt
eral Miles as to what the outcome
would be. They had made their plans,
and they were confident that General
Shafter and his troops would be ham
mering at the gates of Santiago before
long.
The impression here is that the Span
iards will make their strongest stand
close to Santiago and the inner har-
bor, within the range Of protection of
the guns of the big Spanish warships
lying there. There is no doubt that un
til these ships are removed from the
scene of operation the campaign
against Santiago will be conducted
against odds. The guns of the ships
command the hills over which our sol
diers must come to attack the town
and reach the bay, but we will soon
bring our own artillery into play.
The naval officials here believe that
when the time comes for an attack by
land on the town Sampson will force
his way into the harbor and take part
in the engagement. They are satisfied
hot ha nf ha arriYy
not completely block the channel, and
say that if Sampson does not come in
the Spanish fleet is likely 10 make
desperate effort to get out. The mines
are 70 be considered in such case. but
it is believed that once Moro Castle is
taken by the combined attack of the
soldiers and fleet, these Instructions
can be easily removed, with the cx-
perience gained in Guantanamo Bay.
The only positive news coming to the
War Department up to the close of of
fee hours was dispatch to General
Miles from one of his staff officials
with General Shafter. and also brief
dispatch 10 General Greely from Lieu
tenant Colonel Allen. General MileS
dispatch stated in substance that the
landing of troops had been completed
without any casualties. save one Cuban
soldier had his arm injured by the
bursting of shell. The troops of
Garcia and Rabi, about o,iGo in num-
Der. had met the American forces with
enthusiastic greetings.
Stress was laid upon the point that
the Cubans were we'll armed and we'll
disciplined. Garcia was confident that
his forces would be swelled TO luCbo
men as soon as Santiago fell. About
the only need among the Cubans was
shoes and quinine.
The dispatch to General Greely
merely stated that progress was being
made in connecting the military forces
directly with the War Department.
During the day orders were issued to
the entire division comprising the new
~ created command of Brigadier Gen
eral Guy Y. Henry for its speedy de-
parture to reinforce General Shafter at
Santiago. Already the Thirty-third
Michigan Regiment and one battalion
of the Thirty-fourth Michigan have
started on this mission To-days or
ders cover the balance Of General Hen