The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-16
SANTIAGO TO BE SURROUNDED.
CUDANS WHO JOINED MARINES
MADE CIRCLE OF CITY,

AAsuFEenN FOrce bnuer Gen. Hnhi
Occupies AQuadOrcs-Wnr Depart
ment Not Considering Availability
of Making Another Call for Troops.
No Reliance Put in story of Ger
nRndinn Seems to Have Inside
Track as Camp site.
Washington, June 15.-I4ike the relief of
the beleaguered at Lucknow came the
welcome news TO the navy department this
afternoon that the little band of Ameri-
can marines who had planted the flag on
Crest Hin and were defending It night and
day against heavy odds, were not only
safe, but were strongly reinforced by Gu
bans from the commands of Garcia and
Rab, and We're now strong enough to more
than hold their own.
It was disclosed in dispatch from Ad-
miral Sampson. and brought much relief
to naval officials
The most significant feature of the ed-
miral's dispatch was the statement that
the Cuban general Rabi. had occupied
Aquadores, only miles from santago,and
practically a suburb of that Spanish
stronghold. 1t was the consummatioE OF a
plan arranged in Washington some weeks
ago when two of the staff officers Of Gen.
Garcia came here to confer with Gen.
Miles.
AT that time Gen Garcia and Gen. Rabi
were at Bayamo in the western part of
Santiago province. and more than 100
miles northwest OF Santiago de Cuba.
Admiral sampson's dispatch showed
that Gen. Rabi and his force have made
a complete circuit of Santiago and com
ing south of 1t have occupied Aquadores.
This IS looked upon as a fine military
stroke for Aquadores Is the port with iron
wharves and will afford facilities for un-
loading the heavy artillery carried by
Gen. Skaters invading expedition.
The news also indicated to the authorl-
ties here that the Spanish garrison at
Santiago has practically retreated inside
the city proper, giving up the outlying
towns.
In making his march Gen. Rabi has
crossed the line of communication be-
tween the Spanish commander, Gen. Pan
do, at Holguin, and the Spanish forces at
Santiago de Cuba.
This fact makes 1t clear that Santiago
is not likely to get reinforcements from
Gen. Pando
In circling around Santiago to reach
Aquadores, Gen. Rabl, 1t Is believed here,
has also established 1t as a fact that the
lines of communication and relief to San
tiago are broken, interrupted and practi-
cally broken Off in all directions.
Secreatry Alger this afternoon denied
positively that the government was con-
sidering the advisability of making an
other call for volunteer troops. on the
contrary, the war department Is now ell
IA II
ing the equipment of the large number OF
organizations stlll without accourtrements,
and has not even taken up In earnest the
procurement of the 1900 men called for
in the second proclamation of the Presi-
dent.
The secretary has Just received the re-
port Of the special board headed by Mai.
Hopkins that was charged with an inspec-
ton of various points that were offered
- good camping grounds for the United
States troops. The board found that good
facilities could be furnished at Jackson
vIle Fla, Fernandina, Fla, and Sayan-
nah, Ga.
Charleston had many points to recon-
mend II, but sufficient ground space was
lacking.
The best features for a large military
camp were found at Fernandlna, Fla. This
point lies twelve miles Off the main line
of railroad communication, which makes
1t possible to easily isolate the camp
should it become necessary to do 50
through the appearance of yellow jack.
A broad plateau affords splendid camp
ing and dril ground for 10000 troops and
within mile lies one of the finest sea
beaches In the country. One of the best
features of the site is a great well, 100
feet deep, flowing pure water at the rate
20, 100000 gallons per day.
The board reported that this water could
be piped all over the camp and Secretary
Alger with a view to having everything in
readiness, has ordered the piping to be
laid at once thus indicating the depart
ment's choice OF sites.
There is no intention TO break up the
present camps unless disease should ap-
pear necessitating the change. Secretary
Algers purpose in sending out the Hop
klns board was to prepare a camp, not for
immediate occupation, but for the instant
reception of troops who might necessarily
be moved from other camps where conta-
giOus disease appears.
The attorney general has referred TO the
navy department an appeal of Capt. Laze
and the twelve members of the crew of
the prize steamer Argonauta to be allow
ed 10 go to Cuba. The Argonauta was
captured by the Nashville, April 20, off
Cienfuegos and was condemned as a fair
prize Her officers and crew were re-
leased upon giving their parole not to
take up arms against the United States
during the present war.
They represent that their families live
in Cuba and ask permission to join them
promising to observe their sparole. The
navy department has been Obliged TO re-
fuse this request, contenting itself with
giving the men their liberty.
The constant reports that Germany Is
on the eve Of making a serious issue in
the Philippines are unaccountabie to off,
cials here, who have the most direct and
positive information that Germany has
never contemplated such a step and Is not
now moving toward its execution either
alone or with the Powers. There Is the
highest official authority for saying that
each one Of these reports Is groundless, and
they are all attributed to a malicious pur-
pose to embitter the feeling between Ger
many and the Unlisted States.