Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-12-03
AS A sPANlARp SAW 1T.


interesting Account of some of the
Events Connected with the Santiago
Campaign.
Washington, Nov. 30.-The bureau
of naval intelligence has issued anoth-
er of it's war series, this time the
BATTLES and Capitulation of Santiago
de Cuba, by Lieut.. Jose Muller
Teieiro, the second in command of the
naval forces of the province of San
tiago."
The writer was an eyewitness of
most of the events that he describes
and from his position had access to
official information. The style is
peculiarly interesting, free from bias
and has an air of authenticity which
will give the book a place in history.
The author began to keep an exact
diary of events at Santiago from the
moment of the appearance there of
Cervera's fleet, realizing as he says,
that the vessels were to have a most
powerful influence on the war. The
publication begins with chapter en-
titled "The two fleets" telling of the
arrival of Cervera's squadron on May
10 and of the disappointment of the
people, who expected eight battle
ships, instead of five. He makes
comparison of the vessels of the two
squadrons. The lieutenant mentioned
the fact that provisions were very
short. also that the military element
of the province were nine or ten
months in arrears in the payment of
consignments, and had been living on
credit for some time. Everything was
lacking--food, money, credit and pur-
chasing resources were exhausted.
What happened at Santiago was true
of other places in the island.
The arrival of the army created
considerable CONSERVATION in San
tiago, and considerable speculation
as to where the army would land.
Provisions were still running short,
and it is stated that if FL Caney and
San Juan had not been taken, the
| SpaniarCls would not have lost COM
| munication with the cultivated
region, nor would the aqueduct have
been cut. The small number of the
Spanish forces made it impossible to
save these positions.
He speaks of the difficulties of coal
ing and shows that the fleet was very
badly supplied. Concerning the opin-
|
out. he refers to the great Joy caused
by its arrival and then says that the
ships in the harbor were compelling
the enemy to sustain with superior
| forces the blockade with all its diff
culties. 1t was not believed the Amer
lean ships would expose themselves
to serious disaster or would force any
one of the ports which were being
blockaded. The Spanish ships did not
have to give battle in order to OBJ
tain results and he says that if provis-
ions had not been wanting in San
tiago and the Spanish feet had re-
mained there no one could tell to
what extremes impatience and de-
spair might not have carried Admiral
Sampson.
\ diary of the blockade is given,
telling what occurred in the way of
bombardments and losses to the Span
iards by the American guns. The
movements of the American feet were
puzzle to the Spaniards, as they did
not know why they remained on
watch all day and disappeared at
night. but it was supposed that the
Americans were afraid of the destroy
ers.
He speaks of the action of the Span
ish admiral as one of the greatest acts
of valor. For some time the Span
iards did not know whether the hips
had succeeded in making their escape,
but, having been informed they had,
there was great rejoicing. 1t was at
6 o'clock that the pilot came in and
informed them that the Teresa,
Oquendo and the destroyers had been
lost. The lieutenant gives consider
able space to the naval battle, most OF
which is taken from persons who
were saved from the Spanish ships,
In discussing the disaster, he says
that the loss of the fleet had been
foretold by all its commanders, but
public opinion in Cuba required the
presence of the fleet in Cuban waters
The ships had not been cleaned, were
short of coal and not in good condi.
ton to fight. The feet received
definite orders from Gen. Blanco to
leave Santiago, in spite of Admiral
Cervera's remonstrance.