Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-06-16

WASHINGTON, June 16.-The news
that the little band of American ma
rines who had planted the flag on Crest
hill and were defending it night and
day against heavy odds were not only
safe, but were stronly reinforced by
1900 Cubans from the commands of
Garcia and Rabbi and were now strong
enough to more than hold their own,
was welcome news to the navy depart
ment. 1t was disclosed in dispatch
from Admiral Sampson, received yester-
day, and brought much relief to naval
officials. The early reports had indi-
Gated that the marines wofo surrounded,
and it was feared that they might be
compelled to return to the ships before
General Skaters invading army
reached there. The coming of the Gu
ban forces seems to have been in the
nick of time, and naval officials give the
fullest credit to the timeliness of this
Cuban cooperation.
The admirals dispatch stated that
the condition of the marines was ZEN
tirely satisfactory" which assurance,
although brief was enough to re-
heve officials here .of the fears they
had entertained. But probably the
most significant feature of the admiral's
dispatch was the statement that the
Cuban General Rabbi had occupied
Acerraderos, only eight miles from San
tiago, and practically suburb of that
Spanish stronghold. It was the execu-
ton of a plan arranged in Washington,
some weeks ago, when two Of the staff
officers of General Garcia came here to
confer with General Miles. AT that
time Garcia and Rabbi were at Bayamo,
in the western part of Santiago prov
lnce, and more than 100 miles north
west of Santiago de Cuba. Admiral
SIMPSONS dispatch showed that Rabbi
and his force has made complete cir
cult Of Santiago dc Cuba, and coming
up so the south of it has occupied Acer-
raderos.
This is looked upon as fine military
stroke, for Acerraderos is the port
where iron wharves will afford facii-
ties for unloading the heavy artillery
carried by General Skaters invading
expedition. The news also indicated to
the authorities here that the Spanish
garrison at Santiago has practically re-
treated inside the city proper, giving
up the outlying towns. Admiral Samp-
son also states that General Garcia is
cooperating with the American forces
Whether this means that Garcia him
self has arrived from Bayamo is not
quite clear, but if he has, the joint
forces Of Garcia and Rabbi will make
5000 to 5000 seasoned Cubans, recently
armed with Springfelds, as bush
whacking guerrilla force to aid the
American troops From sources other
than the dispatch of Admiral Sampson,
the navy department has been informed
that 500 Cubans were rendering eff
cient aid to the marines at Crest Hill
Now that Rabbi and Garcia are on the
scene this 500 may be swelled to thou
sands.
In making his march Rabbi has
crossed the line of communication be-
tween the Spanish commander, Gen
eral Pando, at Holguin and the Spanish
forces at Santiago de Cuba. This feat
makes it clear that Santiago is not likely
to get reinforcements from General
Pando. In circling around Santiago to
reach Acerraderos Rabbi, it is believed
here, has also established it as a fact
that the lines of communication and re-
lief to Santiago are interrupted and
practically cut off in all directions