Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-07-02
SKATER NAY NOT WAIT
Our Military Leader at Santiago
May Hasten the Fight.
THE NEED FOR SPEEDY ACTION.

Eight Thousand spanish soldiers From
ManzaniIlo Are Marching to the Aid
of General Linares. and Are Now
within Fifty Miles OF santiago.
Washington, June so.-The opinion
prevails here that within a day or two
at most General Shafter win have be-
gun his attack upon the city OF San
tiago proper. The important event Of
yesterday was the generals announce
ment that he could take the city in IS
hours, but at considerable loss. Taken
in connection with the announcement
contained in another dispatch that he
is going TO attack without awaiting
achievements, il win be seen that the
officials have ground for their expecta-
ton that the first general engagement
OF the war will begin in very short
time. Numerically. the opposing forces
are not very different, the estimate of
the Spanish force being placed at $4,000
men, thoroughly entrenched and be-
hind barbed wire fences and block
houses, as against about $4,000 men
under Skaters command, aided by
1900 Cubans.
one of the gravest elements in the
problem. however, is the Spanish war
ships, for unless Shafter is materially
assisted by Sampson, who might en-
gage the full attention of the Spanish
ships. their fire upon the American adj
vance forces would be very hard to
meet. The military authorities here
say that General Linares has shown
great military tactics in slowly retreat
ing during the last few days, as he
has gradually drawn our troops away
from the protection Of the American
ships in Santiago harbor. For this
reason 1t was with relief that the am
nouneement was received here that
Shafter succeeded in landing all of
his artillery including his seige train,
for unless Sampson can be relied upon
to force his way into the harbor and
attack the Spanish ships these seige
guns. planted on heights commanding
the bay, will be the main reliance of
General Shafter in offsetting the pres
ence of the Spanish ironclads.
Undoubtedly Shafter is animated to
attack as soon as possible by his
knowledge of the approach of REIN
forcements of Linares from Manzanillo
for with this additional force Skaters
position would be disagreeable, il not
perilous, at least until he had received
achievements.
There is a further element to which
the military authorities are giving
careful attention that one man en-
trenched behind earthworks or in
rifle pits is worth three men in the
open. 1t is said that the battles of
charlottesville and Spottsylvania af-
forded the most direct proof of this
point.
The report that the Egyptian gov
eminent had firmly refused coal to
Camara's fleet at Port Said has not
vet been officially confirmed, but is
accuracy is not questioned. There Is
still some doubt whether this refusal
in itself will operate to prevent the
further movement of the Spanish
squadron toward the Philippines, as
Madrid advices alleged a purpose on
the part of the Spanish government to
send additional Golfers with the ex-
pedition to overcome the refusal of the
various ports along the way to the
Philippines to supply coal. There is a
strong impression, however that the
Spanish government will avail itself of
the pretext afforded by this refusal to
turn the fleet back to Spain True,
SPANS war minister asserted yester-
day that Camaras squadron has al
ready begun the passage of the Suez
canal, but no credence will be placed
in this report unless it is verified from
other sources.