The times., 1898-07-04

The strain under which the President
and his advisers and the officers at the
Army and Navy Departments had so
fong borne. was relieved at u:3O o'clock
yesterday morning. when a long dispatch
was received from Gen. shafter The
American commander asked for fmmedl-
ate re-enforeements, as he found the de-
fenses of the city TOO strong to be car
ried by his present force.
The full text Of Gen. Skaters dispatch
was not made public He told of his
prospective plans and made certain rec
concentrations relative TO the sending Of
re-enforcemeats, and it was considered
unwise 10 divUlge these things to the pub
lie
The situation has undergone a radical
change Instead Of taking the city by as
sault state Of siege VIII be inaugurated,
which viii, it is thought, last week.
Must Wait "A Week
Large re-enforcements cannot be sent
10 Santiago within a week Gen. Shafter
can hold his own ground against any
sortie the Spanish may make upon him,
but he states that he cannot now take
the town, and It is not believed that he
Will make any attempt to do so before re-
endorsements are sent to him. To do 9TH
erwise would, it is thought here, be the
height Of folly.
The department exerted every energy
all day yesterday and re-enforcements
will be sent in large numbers as soon as
possible.
Gen. Skaters dispatch was received at
1870 o'clock. Within half an hour a noon
day council Of war was held at the War
Department 1t was the first general
conference that has been held since the
war began.
Those present were Gen. Miles, Secre-
tary Alger. Adjt- Gen. Corbin. Quarter
master General Ludington, Commissary
General Eagan. Surgeon General Stern
berg and Capt. Sherer, of the Bureau of
Military Information.
The War Council.
The conference lasted half an hour and
gave rise to the most absurd rumors of
a defeat. Gen. Corbin left the council
Just before il concluded. and as adjutant
general Of the Army informed the Presi-
dent Of the situation and the steps which
will be taken 10 remedy it,
Upon emerging from the White House
Gen. corbin made public the dispatch
received from Gen. Shafter. He said,
when asked what he thought Of the news:
at IS good
Gen. Miles said after the conference:
"Re-enforcements viii be sent to Gen.
Shafter as soon as possible. Fifty thous-
and men viii be sent II necessary. AS
soon as sea transportation can be OBJ
tained troops viii be sent The greater
part Of the transports at Santiago left for
Tampa today. Upon their arrival at
Tampa troops win be embarked and hur-
ried to Santiago.
Miles Going 10 Santiago.
DO YOU expect TO go to the front with
these troops?" Gen. Miles was asked.
Yes he replied; i am going South
in a day or two, and expect to go to
Santiago with the troops
The general said further that he has
been anxious to get to the front all along,
but was compelled by military conditions
to remain at home and get the troops in
shape 50 that no delays or mistakes may
be caused in the future. He compliment
ed the work OF Gen Shafter and his army
very highly and said that though the
Government is very deeply concerned
over the situation every confidence is felt
that Gen. Shafter is thoroughly able to
Withstand the Spanish until re-enforce-
ments are sent him.
Transports Ordered to Tampa.
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn, TO
whom the Government viii look for trans
portation, said to a Times reporter after
the council that arrangements had been
made and that preparations have already