Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14
MILES
INCUBA
Commander of u. S.
Army Arrives at
Santiago.
And Holds Two Confer
enCes With Gen.
Shafter.
Nothing Is Known in
Washington Yet
AS to Result.


commanding the United States army,
arrived off Santiago Monday after
noon. Upon the arrival Of the aux
Hilary cruiser Yale, on which Miles
was a passenger, communication was
opened with Sampson and the two
commanders were soon in conference.
Later Miles landed at Playa del Este
and communicated with Shat
ter by telephone The result Of the
two consultations was not disclosed
at the war department, but Miles
doubtless was placed in possession OF
all the salient points of the situation.
1t is understood to be Miles purpose
to proceed Immediately to Skaters
headquarters at Siboney and after
discussing with Shafter the latter's
plan of campaign, to make a personal
examination of the American position.
It is not to be understood that Miles
is to supersede Shafter in command
of the forces before Santiago. Shafter
is operating there under written in
structions from the secretary of war,
approved by the president, and as
long as he is able physically to direct
the troops he will retain his command.
The Yale had on board the 9Th Massa-
chusettS regiment. The Columbia,
which left Charleston practically at the
same time with the Yale, carried a
| battalion of the 9Th Illinois. 1t also
has arrived off Santiago.
Up to midnight no news from either
the army or the nevy at Santiago had
reached the department, SO far as the
public was Informed. 1t is thought
that possibly the arrival Of Miles
caused suspension of active opera
lions in order that the entire situation
might be discussed.
Fleet Bombards Santiago.
Off Santiago, via Playa del Este,
July 12.-At $50 Monday morning the
cruiser Newark opened fire into the
city with her eight-inch guns. Sig
nal corps officers were stationed on
! the top of the ridge to report the eff
! fects of the shots. The New York,
Brooklyn and Indiana participated in
the firing at intervals of five minutes.
The bombardment lasted two hours,
when Shafter reported that the shells
were falling in the bay and doing lit
| tie damage. The last shot, however,
| struck a prominent church in the
heart Of the city which was heavily
stored with powder and ammunition,
causing a tremendous explosion. The
extent of the damage is not yet
known. When the warships ceased
firing and before Shafter had begun
the land attack, a flag of truce was
seen coming from the city. The OBJ
ject of this was not known at noon
when the correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press left the front. Monday
afternoon the auxiliary cruiser Yale
with Gen Miles aboard and the cruiser
Columbia arrived.
Spanish Soldiers Deserving.
Skaters Headquarters, Sunday, via
Port Antonio, July 12.-The deserters
from the Spanish ranks this morning
included a non-commissioned officer.
He said that the situation in Santiago
was bad, but by no means hopeless from
a Spanish point of view. He said that
the troops had food enough for pres
ent needs, were in good health and
would make good fight when called
upon. He said the men were given
81 each Saturday and as that was the
first money they had received in many
months, they are feeling very cheer
full. The water supply is getting quite
bad and the amount somewhat limit
ed, although up to this time there has
been no serious distress on this ac-
count. Desertions from the ranks
of the Spanish volunteers continue,
and it is now said that fully 5000 men
who agreed to fight for Spain are out
of the city. A party of 500 cavalry
left the city Sunday morning, marching
in the direction of Holguin.
All But One Ruined.
Off Santiago, Sunday, via Kingston,
Jamaica, July 12.-The board of sur
vey appointed to examine the wrecks
Of the Spanish ships and inquire into
the nature of their injuries reports
that only one ship can possibly be
saved. She is the Infanta Maria
Teresa, the former flagship Of Cervera.