Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-25
Topography Of the Country Around
Santiago de Cuba.
MEN SUFFER FROM TIE HHr
Roads Run Through Narrow Open
imgs in Dense JungIes.
DISPOSITION OF THE TROOPS

Copyright, 1898. by the Associated Press)
On Board the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Dauntless, off Juragua, Province OF
Santiago de Cuba, Thursday, June %. via
Kingston, Jamaica, Friday June "a, pm.
Now that the American land, forces are
threatening thu city of Santiago de Cuba,
the topographic conditions prevailing In
that vicinity become interesting. Baiquiri,
where the first landing was made, and Ju-
ragua, where General Lawton's headquar-
tiers vera last night, are both small coast
towns in the throat Of narrow cuts through
a range of low hills fringing all the south
ern coast. Baiquiri is twelve miles east of
Santiago. and Juragua is eight miles east
by the coast line road, which runs behind
the hills. 1t Is called hers a wagon road,
but it is only practicable for heavy two
wheeled carts, having six bullocks yoked to
them tandem fashion, and drawing a very
small load.
Trail In Practicable.
The pioneers report that the trail is prac-
t'cable for artillery and pack trains. but 1t
is unspeakably bad even for walking,
though it is reasonably level.
Our troops have now passed all the small
hills intervening between here and San
tiago. The remaining twelve miles by road
are over a practically level country, with
more chance for open order. So far, how
ever, the road has been walled and in
most places overarched with impregnable
jungle growth, thorns and creepers. smell
ing like the interior Of a fragrant, over
heated conservatory, and picturesque with
splashes of tropic color in oleanders and
other flowers. but terrible for troops.
For half mile near Demajayaho a
small stream runs in the road and the men
have been compelled to walk in water.
incidentally, the medical advice about
wet feet, night winds or perspiration-
soaked bodies and the necessity Of boiling
drinking water has already been thrown
to the winds. Easy as the advice sounds
at home. it is almost impossible to follow
1t here.
Men Suffer From the Heat.
Some of the American officers who are
faniliar with Arizona say they have never
seen soldiers on the plains present such
pictures of distress from tie heat and they
add that the only wonder is that there are
so few prostl atioDs at present.
The American stature and apparent
stamina are remarkable in comparison with
the Cubans and Speniards. The colored
soldiers of the Goth and 10th Regiments are
VI iformly large, and they seem black
giants in the jungle beside the tiny negro
Cuban guides.
Disposition of the Troops.
Copyright. 1898. by the Associated PressD
Off Santiago de Cuba, Thursday, June
%, by the Associated Press Dispatch Boat
to Port Antonio, Jamaica, filed Friday, June
"a. noon.-The situation as regards the dis
position and location of the American,
Spanish and Cuban forces is as follows:
General Skaters army of 1880 men is
massed to the eastward of Santiago de
Cuba, at Baiquiri and Juragua General
Castillo, with 1900 men. is at Baiquiri and
Colonel Aguiro, with 200 at Juragua. These
are to be Joined by General Garcia, with
1000 men. Three thousand of General Gar
cia's men hold 1900 Spaniards in Holguin,
and General Rab, with 1000 threatens
1000 Spanish troops at Manzanillo. In San
tiago there are believed to be 1900 Spanish
soldiers, with such reinforcements as are
had by the concentration movement now
in progress.