The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1898-06-30
CUBAN INV ASTON
Shafter Has Landed a
Short Distance From
Santiago Bay.
MET WITH SLIGHT RESISTANCE

MET WITH SLIGHT RESISTANCE
Baiquiri, the Debarking Point, First
Sheiled by the warships-New Or
leans. Detroit and the Smaller Ships
Did the Work.
Off Baiquiri, via Playa del Este,
Guantanamo Bay, June 24.-As 9
O'Clock, the hour supposed to have
been fixed for commencing the disem-
barkation came and passed, the expe-
dltion was in suspense, but the ships
lay rocking complacently outside the
little bay.
About 9:15 A. NJ. the bombardment
of the hills surrounding the village Of
Juragua, some six miles off, suddenly
began to distract our attention from
out affairs. Then, steam pinnacles,
trailing strings of empty boats. began
speeding to and fro among the trans
ports, and gradually, though impercep-
tibly, filling with troops.
At 9:45 Cuban scouts appeared west
Of Baiquiri, and Immediately the New
Orleans, Machias, Detroit, Suwanee
and Wasp began mbarding. Forty
five rounds were fred into the bushes
during the first quarter of an hour, and
many rounds from the quick-fire guns.
Not shot was fred in response.
At 9:45 the first boatload, contain
ing the men of the Eighth and First
infantry, started for the shore, fol-
lowed by the Twenty-fifth (colored),
Tenth and Twelfth infantry at 1910.
Prodigious cheering from the shore,
caught up by the nearest ships and fly
ing from vessel to vessel through the
squadron, announced the momentous
fact that the army had begun land
ing on Cuban soil, the honor of set
ting the first foot on the land falling
to detachment of the Eighth infan-
try, which was towed ashore by the
tug Wampatuck.
This important operation thus quick
~ completed without loss of life or at
tack, the troops on land formed and
moved up and away to quarters with
out confusion. A force of mounted
Cubans, which had been under the fire
during the bombardment, now arrived
and congratulations were exchanged.
The inhabitants of the village. assured
that the worst was over, came out, col
ored women and children creeping into
sight from subterranean shelters.
A 1880, detachment of the Second
Massachusetts, volunteers started for
the shore and by noon probably 5000
men had landed. Other detachments
were following as rapidly as the steam
launches could be made available.
The sea was calm and the sky clear.
A cool breeze was blowing. The troops
were in the highest spirits, and strains
of yankee Doodle were greeting
every string of boats coming in.
The press correspondent, going
ashore at 1:10 P. NJ, found that the
Spaniards had done little wanton mis-
chief. A roundhouse, locomotive, a
few cars and railway offices had been
destroyed, but the bulk OF the village
was left standing intact.
The firing on Jarugua still continues
as this dispatch is filed, but it is desul-
tory and is directed over the first line
of hills to clear the country beyond.
Landing Officially Reported.
Washington, June 24.-Oficial dis
patches received tonight by Secretary
Alger and Secretary Long indicated
that the landing of troops near Santl-
ago is progressing most favorably. The
fret landing was effected at Baiquiri
this morning and met with compare
lively slight resistance. This was
stated in dispatch received this even
ing by Secretary Alger. which. though
brief, was full of news and meaning.
It follows:
ssPlaya del Este, June 24s-To the
Secretary of War, Washington: OF
Baiquiri, Cuba, June 24.-Landing at
Baiouiri this morning. Very little if
any resistance. SHAFTER.
Shortly after Secretary Alger re-
ceived this dispatch. Secretary Long
received more extended cablegram
from Admiral Sampson. It, too, was
dated at Playa del Este. at $50 this
evening. The text Of the dispatch,
translated from the navy department
cipher. is as follows:
Landing of the army is progressing
fayorably at BaiQuiri. There is little
II any resistance. The New Orleans,
Detroit, Castlne, Suwanee and Wasp
shelled the vicinity before the landing.
We made demonstration at Cabanas
to engage. the attention Of the enemy.
The Texas engaged the west battery for
some hours. She had one man killed.
The submarine mines have been re-
covered from the channel at 0uantan-
amo. Communication BY telegraph
has been established at Guantanamo.
SAMPSON. =
A one-legged knife grinder IN Phil.
adelphia has taught . Newfoundland
dog 70 turn his grindstone.