The times., 1898-10-24

hlstahce at guantanamo, Mnere everything Is rON
reported quiet Intercepted letter from Guanta-
namO to Spanish commanding army officer at San
tiago reports there is only small quantity Of
food, not more than sufficient for this month.
half rations. Descrter Reina Mercedes states
Me.rimac does not block up channel she is too
far in the harbor. There is possibility. how
ever. Of anything coming out without our knowl-
edge battleship is every night at distance
Of one mile from entrance Illuminating the chan
mel most clearly ! again urge earnestly army
move with all possible celerity. Fine weather
may end any day.
The Captured Letter.
The following is the copy Of transla-
ton of Gen. Pareja's letter referred to:
Excellent Sir: The seventh day, at dawn
brought ships before the port OF Caimanera
They fired grapeshot and all kinds of projectiies
on the Playa del Este and Cayo Toro until they
set fire TO the fort on the Playa Este and burned
the houses OF the pilots which the detachment
occupied. This lasted, cannonading with more
less intensity. until o'clock in the afternoon
As the PLAYA del Este had only two muzzle
loading guns and sand intrenehments, the de,ach-
ment could do nothing before six ships, firing
them from all sides. They retired into Manigua
and to the Cuzco Hill, where they remain to-
day. making sallies on the beach.
From that day $50 occupy Punta Caracolas Oh
serving the movements of ships which occupy
all the outer port with a transport of and
armed merchant ships, total never less than four.
| have also taken Enanto Passes and the vigi-
liant Magne which is disposed to fall on them
where damage can be done.
| remain in Caimanera, and will only come TO
the Enanto when ! think il Necessary, today.
| have not been able to antagonize the American
ships with rife fire. no known ground being at
hand. Yesterday the captain OF engineers ordered
TO make safe projections that would impede and
to make them low. The ground of Playa Este
is better for this purPose. refer solely to dis
eEnbarkation Dia +. Sandoval and Cayo Toro
hafr, al xt-fft,
their short range. when the ships retired TO the
center Of the channel and took positions in the
middle of the bay. or they would not have stopped
answering the FIRE which the enemys ships were
keeping up with impunity. Sandoval has not
over seven discharges of piercing projectiles, and
Caimanera battery did not fire, reServing FIRE
until the ships entered the channel. which is
where their guns reached. | told that the
nsurgent forces at Baracao have come down to
Siguabos their increased happiness being noticed.
and Palamar. and | do not know more.
The American squadron, in possession OF the
outer bay, has taken il as II for harbor OF rest;
they have anchored as if in one Of their own
ports since the 7th, the day they cut the cables
In the entrance and center of the harbor, not
being able 10 reach them, they have not again
molcsted me. except with two cannon shots en-
the sth. 1t appears from the work that Is beng
done that they are preparing to plant the harbor
with mines or place their ships for disembarka-
tion at Playa del Este, their favorite place. II
il is the first, call your attention TO II in case
that time our squadron should come here:
The forces of the brigade are in good spirits
continue serving out half rstions OF everything,
and in that way expect to reach only the end OF
the month"; above all in bread, as ! have no Hour
of any kind, as ] said, and no way oil getting
any on account OF there having been no corn for
some time Quinine for the hospitals the same.
In hard straits have taken private drug stores,
and will have enough until the end of the month.
Town in needful circumstances, first need since
the ID ultimo On the 9TH we had only two
wounded at Cayo Toro. The cabie-house, rlddied
with shell still stands and il Americans abandon
port which | doubt everything possible will be
done TO re-estahlish communication, 10 which end
| have everything ready.
Today there is in the hlrbor large armored
vessel and seven more vessels, with large trans
mort that appears to be storeship. They patrol
PLAYA del Este with armed launches, | have Just
been informed.
return TO Caimanera on seeing the carrier of
this start out, he merting confidence as trusty
of the brigade. having rendered me good service
up to date BY sea / have ready youth that
served in the navy and who offered himself spon-
taneously. actively recommend MN 10 your
excellency should he arrive. FELiA PAfEJA-
His Excellency General Commanding DIVISION oil
CThcre is seal reading ''Ejercito de oper-
acionrs on Cuba. E. NJ Division de Cuba, pa
Bgde."l ~ ru.o
Following this the report details the ef-
forts of the American ships to capture the
spanish steamer Purissima Conception.
hying the English flag, and the blockade
of Cienfuegos; also the bombardment of
the beach and block houses at Baiquiri
and vicinity to cover the landing of Shaf-
ter's army.
After describing the landing of Shaf-
ter's army the report gives a number of
kilograms to and from Washington.
among them the following to Admiral
Sampson:
Washington.
You are authorized to ascertain from the Span
ish authorities at Santiago whether Hobson, with
his men. is imprisoned in the MORO ohtre
fort exposed TO your fire, and, if so. to inform
Cervera and commanding army officer he shall
he held responsible by the United States Govern
mont for the personal safety of our officer and
men above mentioned and that you hold equal
number Spanish prisoners subject to same treat
ment.
Washington.
When the Spanish give up hope at Santiago
they may attempt to escape via Manzanillo, Cuba
As understood here, they receive supplies now
via Manzanillo, Cuba. LONG.
On June % Admiral Sampson wrote
lengthy communication to Secretary
Long. describing the operations of his
fleet and inclosing letter captured by
the Cubans, addressed to the Spanish
general in charge OF the division OF san
tiago de Cuba. 1t showed that the Span
ish forces in the vicinity of Guantanamo
were in sore straits for food.
Admiral SIMPSONS impressions of the
Cuban General Garcia are expressed in
his report in this fashion:
Gen. Garcia Was Sensick.
On the 10Th Gen. Garcia and his staff jaid
visit to the ship, having arrived that morning at
Gen. Rabi's camp at Aserraderos. He had left
1000 Of his men, whom he had advanced to within
two days march of Santiago, and had come 10
the coast for the purpose of consultation. Three
to observe some 10000 Spanish which
are now concentrated there, and to 1T their
passage in the direction of SantiagoA
Ny impressions of Gen. Garcia are OF the most
WHAT DO The CHILDREN DRINK