The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-02
IlIh or RETREAT.
Where SpaaiardS jIay g. When They
Rim.

Rim.
Washington, July 1.-Just two months
after the battle of Manila, and on the
first day of the month, like that engage
ment, began the first set battle of the war
in this hemisphere. What the result will
be was not known when the department
closed today. Never before, since the
declaration of war has there been such
feeling of intense interest and anxiety
manifested here The officials here are
confident that they have done everything
possible to streng then Skaters hands
for the great conflict he is waging and
they have unlimited confidence in his
discretion, bravery and energy. The
attack today, several days before the
public expected the battle is a tribute
to his energy as we'll as to his Judgment,
according to the present lights, for he
undoubtedly found it necessary to crush
his foes in detail, instead of allowing
them to consolidate and outnumber him.
AS the day wora along, without bring
ing any news, the anxiety Increased, and
the question was in every ones mouth:
''Why did he not report?'
Adjutant General Corbins response
was:
a. He is fighting, not writing" and this
was accented as sound explanation.
Tn 4 81
spatch from Palaya del Este, the cable
station near Santiago. But it was from
an engineer officer to Gen. Miles and
made no reference to the progress of the
battle. merely referring to certain mate
rial and livestock. On the whole this
very absence of official news was re-
garded as rather favorable indication,
the reason being that this mornings
engagement was but heavy skirimsh
and that our army was feeling the enemy
to discover and strike at his weak spot.
1t was nearly O'Clock when the signal
officer received the welcome news that,
the enemy was retreating. Gen. Miles
was Of the opinion that the action of
today was in the nature of heavy
skirmish all along the American front,
particularly the right and that its main
purpose was to dey elop the strength of
the enemy, and if possible learn the
vulnerable point along the Spanish
front. This, however, WAS based only on
the lack of definite information, and
Gen. Miles felt that any hour might
bring word of general engagement.
Bri gadier General Stone was inclined to
believe that, after maintaining their
stand today, the Spaniards would, during
the night, leave the city.
The military authorities here are fully
considering the chances of a retreat of
the Spanish army from Santiago and are
endeavoring 10 shape events that Gen.
Skaters force will not only take San
tiago. but also capture the $4,000 Span
1ards nefore they get away north and join
Gen. PandO. Full information as 60
possible lines of retreat has aeen placed
at the disposal of the war department.
One of the most interesting statements is
that of General Manager Cox of the
Spanish-American at Baiqui1ri, who is
thoroughly acquainted with all the
country surrounding Santiago. He shows
that the two possible lines of retreat
are: First. by tho road to Ell Cobre;
second, by following the line of the
Sabinallo an Narato railroad. The first
line will be easy for about the first ten
miles, as far as FL Cobre, but after that
the country is mountainous and barren
and would not afford substance and
the pass to reach to the central plateau of
the island would be difficult. The more
likely line of retreat would be along the
line OF the above mentioned railroad,
crossing the Sierra Maestro and FL Cristo,
a pass 600 feet above the sea ten miles
south of Santiago, which is the lowest
pass through the Sierra Mastra for many
miles.
line country of this is a rolling plateau
of rich agricultural land. AT Manaoas,
on the railroad, two miles north of the
pass, is bridge. consisting of series of
81 foot spans on iron trestle bents. This
point is about two miles beyond the Cristo
and just beyond this bridge the
railroad divides into two branches. The
destruction Of this bridge would be the
most feasible method of preventing the
of Gen. Pando's troops to re.
lieve Santiago. 1t is pro bable that ii
the Spaniards retreat by this road, they
will make stand on the plateau at FL
Cristo and hold tie pass of FL Cristo.
The only other pass through the
near this point is at Escandol
summit, about six miles in a straight
line east Of 81 Cristo pass, Escandol
summit is 1200 feet above the sea and is
reached from Santiago via Canoy. The
road from Santiago to Canoy is fairly
good being wide enough for vehicles.
Between Canoy and Escaudol the road
which is no mors than trail, ascends the
mountains and is very winding and brok-
en-.
Beyond Escandol across the range, the
country is heavily timbered and broken
ard the roads are not good. 1t is an ideal
for ambush. This is probably
the only pass through which the Spanish
position could be turned should the Spanish
troops occupy theCristol plateau and pass
The railroad has been fortified by q line
block houses. protecting bridges, and Ger.
tain ones of cultivation inclosed between
these forts have been planted during all
time of the war and would afford supply
for the army for @ certain time. In the
meantime sweet potatoes could be planted
which in three months would ripen
These zones OF cultivation exist along the
a road as far rs San Luis, at which point
there is considerable country in cultiva-
ton. On the other hand. the other
branches (The Sabanilla branch) the
zones of cultivation extend as far as Son
go.