The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-25
GEN. SKATERS WORK
BRIEF CAMPAIGN IN CUBA IS
FREELY PREDICTED
Admiral Sampson's Squadron VIII
Attack Cervera When the Land
Forces Assault santiaxO-Block-
ado of Cuban Ports Is Complete
Gen. Miles Preparing to De-
part for Cuba.
Washington Bureau st. Paul Globe,
Corcoran Building.

Special to The st. Paul Globe.
WASHINGTON, June "a. - At the
war department today everybody was
busy. The investment of Santiago
city by the forces under Gen. Shafter
was the only live topic under discus
sion. It is said that Gen. Shafter was
selected to lead the expedition against
the Spanish stronghold because of his
aggressiveness and persistency, and,
judging by the progress made to date,
officials anticipate q brief and decisive
campaign in Cuba. Gen. Shafter has
wasted no time wiring the department
what he intends to do next. He goes
ahead and does It, No news from
Shafter is regarded here as good news.
The next word from him direct is ex-
pected to be the announcement Of the
capture of Santiago by the American
forces. Meanwhile, Admiral Sampson
is keeping the government posted as
to what is going on in Santiago prov
ince.
CERVERA TO BE ATTACKED.
The war department has been con-
siderably concerned about the presence
in Santiago harbor Of Admiral Cerve-
ra's fleet Of warships, now that the
attack upon Santiago city is about to
be made. Today came to Washington,
SO it is stated on good authority, in
formation that removed considerable
fear Of possible serious results from
that source. 1t is said that the plan Of
attack upon the Spanish stronghold
includes an assault upon Moro castle
first. In this the fleet will participate,
and ships are expected to go in and
give Cervera battle, in order that he
may be kept too busy to turn his guns
upon the American troops assaulting
Santiago city.
BLOCKADE IS COMPLETE.
There have been so many stories
about Spanish ships escaping from
Santiago harbor and running the
blockade that the government has TAX
en- occasion to give out an official state
ment to the effect that no Spanish
ships have left Santiago bay, and none
are engaged in the running of the
blockade of Cuban ports. The state
ment from Madrid that the Reina
have succeeded in eluding the vigil
lance Of the American blockading
squadron Is given as fair sample of
how much credence can be placed in all
such stories. The Reina Christina was
one of the vessels blown up in Manila
harbor, by Admiral Dewey. The gov
ernment is inclined to the opinion that
the stories, Of blockade running are
being given out by enemies Of the
United States for the purpose of mis-
leading other nations as to the effect
tveness of the blockade.
GEN. MILES INTENTION.
The semi-off1cial announcement
, made yesterday that Gen. Miles next
move would be to Cuba is verified to-
day in an official statement to the ef-
feet that the general Of the army Is
soon to join the forces of the United
States now on Cuban soil. The gov
ernment has perfect confidence in Gen
Shafter, and for that reason the de-
parture of Gen. Miles need not neces-
sarily be hurried. He will first look
| after the dispatching Of reinforce.
ments to Cuba, and the camp arrange.
| ments for the mobilization Of the army
| that is to pursue the programme o1
J war agreed upon by the government.
DIRECT COMMUNICATION.
The government Is greatly pleased
| that Admiral Sampson is now in di:
| rect cable communication with the
| departments at Washington Ere
| quent messages are received from the
! admiral, among the latest being one
! announcing that Lieut.. Hobson is al
! right. He has been taken to Santi
ago, about four miles from Moro cas-.
| tie, and Is being treated as we'll as
| might be expected-in fact, better
when 1t is considered that he is 6
| prisoner in Spanish hands. Their
there are multitude of details tha
| the government is interested in, anG
| that reached Washington only in
stale state up to the time Of establish
| ing cable communication with the
naval commander at Santiago.
LONG TO HoBsoN.
Secretary Of the Navy Long has
sent to Admiral Sampson, for delivery
to Lieut.. Hobson at the earliest pos
sible time, a letter conveying to that
gallant young officer acknowledgment
of appreciation Of the service he ren.
dered his country in the sinking of the
Merrimac in Santiago harbor, at the
| risk of his life. Hobson is assured
that the government will leave moth.
ing undone to secure his release at the