The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-30
He viii Hasten the Attack On Account
of Spanish Reinforcements Coming
ALL THE ARTILLERY IS LANDED.
This is Very Important, For the Heavy
Guns Can Command the Bay and
Give Ceryera's Fleet Something
toThink About Should Samp-
son Not BE Able 10 Force
Entrance to HarbOr.

WAsHINGTON, D. c., June 2o.-The
opinion prevails here that within day
or two at most. General shaftor viii have
begun his attack upon the city Of Santi-
ago proper. The important event OF t7e
day was the Generals announcement
that he could take the city in forty-eight
hours. but at considerable loss. Taken
I'm connection with the announcemet con-
tained in another dispatch that he IS
going to attack without awaiting rein
forcements St will be seen that the Of
ncials have ground for the expectation
that the first general engagement Of tho
war will begin i'm a very short time.
Numerically the opposing armies are
not very different the estimate Of the
Spanish force being placed at 1900 men.
thoroughly entrcnched and behind barbed
wire fences and blockhouses as against
about 1900 men under Skaters COM
mand aided by 1000 Cubans.
THE SPANISH FLEET.
One of the gravcst elements in the
problem. however is the Spanish war
ships for unless Shafter is materially as
sisted by Sampson who might engage
the full attention Of the Spanish war
ships their fire upon the American adj
vance forces would bee very hard TO meet
The military authorities here say that
General Linares has shown great mili-
tary tact I'M slowly retiring during the
last few days as ne has gradually drawn
our troops away from the protection Of
the American ships and brought them
close 10 the fire Of the Spanish ships TN
Santiago harbor For this reason 10 was
with relief that the announcement was
received here that Shafter had succeed
ed I'm landing all of his artillery includ-
ing his siege train. for unless Sampson
can be relied upon 20 force his way into
the harbor and attack the Spanish ships
these siege guns planted on heights COM
mandng the bay will be the main reli-
auce of General Shafter iu oif~setung
the presence of the Spanish iron clads.
HE SEES THE DANGER.
Undoubtedly shafter is animated TO att
tack as soon as possible by his knowledge
OF the approach OF the reinf0rcements
for Linares from ManzanillO. for with this
additional force Skaters position would
be di5agreeable If not periIous. at least
until he received reinforcements.
The War Department received the drst
definite news to-day as TO the approach
OF these Spanish reinforcement This
was I'm an official dispatch stating that
animals were advancing from Manzanil-
10 and were hfty-fsIr miles from San
tiago 10 has been known through Zee
ports from Lieutenant Joyce made 20
General Miles. that the Spaniards have
1900 men at Mlanzanillo and 1000 at
Holguin. and every precaution has been
Eaken 20 guard against their advance
from either quarter. The official report
to-day showed that 5000 Of those at Man
zauillo had covered half the distance to-
Sntiago. and 10 is the belief of military
officials here that General Pando Us max
ing similar advance with his 1000
men from Holguin These advances, now
practically unopposed. are regarded as
oso of the most serious phases OF the
situatiQn.
STRENGTH IN ENTRENcHMENTS.
There is the further element 90 which
the military authorities are giving care
ful 1ttcntion-that one man cutrenchcd
behind earthworks cor in rifle pits i7
worth three men in the open. 10 is said
that the battles of Chanccllorsville and
Srotsylyania afforded the most direct
proof ON this point.
II was announced at the War Depart
mcnt that. by their reports. 1900 men
should be leaving Tompa to-day to Join
Shafter. Thcy will be three or four days
on the voyage. and /. is probable that IT
As this force that General Shafier refers
to as likely to arrive too late for his
action
MESSAGE FROM DEWEY.
The Navy Department to-day gave out
message from Admiral Dewey, which
was brought 20 Hong Kong hy the Nc
Cmlocn. so that II must have left Cavite
on the 27d Inc Admiral made no refer
encc 10 the landing of German marines
and the officials here arc satisfied that
Germany Is acting in good faith and ace
cord.ng 10 the rules OF neutrality.
The report that the Egyptian govern
mert had finally refused coal 10 Camara' $
feet al Port Said has not yet been ofii-
ciailv confirmed. but its accuracy IS not
questioned There Is still some doubt
whether this refusal I'm Itself viii operate
10 preycnt the turther movement of The
spanish SQUADRON toward tho Philippines.
as Madrid advices alleged purpose on
te part of the Spanish government 10
send additional colliers with the cXpedi-
ZION 10 overcome the refusal of the vari-
ous ports along the way 10 the Philip
pines To- supply coal There IS strong
impression. however. that the Spanish
government will avail itself OF the pre-
text afforded by this refusal TO turn the
fleet back 10 Spain.