The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-16
SANTIAGO ISOLATED.
Rabbits Fine Military Stroke-Fernan
dina Best Embarking Point.

! Washington, June 15.-Like the relief
of the beleaguered at Lucknow came
the welcome news to the Navy Depart
ment this afternoon that the little band
Of American marines who had planted
the flag on Crest Hill and We're de-
| Tending K night and day against heavy
! odds, were not only safe, but were
strongly reinforced by Cubans from the
commands of Garcia and Rabbi, aud
were now strong enough to more than
hold their own. 1t was disclosed i'm
n dispatch from Admiral Sampson and
brought much relief to naval ofiiciN;.
| The most significant features of the
| Admral's dispatch was the statement
that the Cuban General Rabbi had oc-
cupied Aquadores. only eight miles from
| Santiago. and practically a suburb of
| that Spanish stronghold. 1t was the
| execution of a plan arranged in Wash
| ington some weeks ago when two of
| the staff officers of General Garcia
came here to confer with General Miles.
| At the time Garcia and Rabbi We're
| ut Bayamo in the western part of
Santiago province. and more than 100
| miles northwest of Santiago de Cuba.
Admiral SIMPSONS dispatch showed that
Rabbi and his force have made Il com
plete circuit of Santiago de Cuba. This
is looked upon as a fine military stroke.
for Aquadores is the port with iron
wharves, and will afford facilities Tor
| unloading the heavy artillery carried
by General Skaters invading expedition.
The news also Indicated to the authori-
ties here that the Spanish garrison at
Santiago has practically retreated in
side the city proper, giving up the out
| lying towns. In making his march,
Rabbi has crossed the line of communi-
cation between the Spanish commander,
General Pdndo, at Holguin, and the
Spanish forces at Santiago de Cuba.
This fact makes it clear that Santiago
is not likely to get reinforcements from
General Pando. In circling around to
reach Aquadores, Rabbi, ii is believed
here. has also established it as a fact
! that the lines Of communication and
relief to Santiago are interrupted and
practically cut off in all directions.
Secretary Alger this afternoon denies
positively that the Government was con-
sidering the ACCESSIBILITY of making an
other call for volunteer troops. On the
contrary the War Department is now
entirely occupied with the task of com
| her of organizations still without account
rements. and has not yet even taken up
in earnest the procurement Of the 10000
men called for in the second proclama-
| ton Of the President.
The Secretary has just received the re-
port of the special board, headed by
Major Hopkins that was charged with
an inspection of various points that were
offered as good camping grounds for
the United States troops. The board
found that good facilities could he fur
nished ut Jacksonville, Fla, Fernandina,
Fla, and Savannah. Charleston had
many points to recommend it. but suf-
iicient ground space was lacking The
best features for a large military camp
were found at Fernandina Fla. This
point is twelve miles off the main line
of railroad communication. which makes
it possible to easily isolate the camp
should it become necessary to do so
through the appearance of yellow jack.
A broad plateau affords splendid camp
ing and drill ground for 10000 troops
and within a mile lies one Of the finest
sea beaches in the country. One Of the
best features of the site is a great WELL
LOO feet deep flowing pure water at the
| rate of 20,000.000 gallons per day. The
board reported that this water could be
pmed all over the camp. and Secretary
Alger with view to having everything
in readiness, has ordered the piping 10
| be laid at once, thus indicating the de-
partment's choice Of sites
There is no intention to break M the
present camps unless disease should ap-
pear necessitating the change. Secre-
tary Ayers purpose in sending out the
Hopkins board was to prepare q camp.
| not for immediate occupation, but for
the instant reception Of troops who
might necessarily be removed from other
camps where contagious disease APP
pears.
The Attorney General has referred to
the Navy Department an appeal by Cap
tain Lazedklaze, and the twelve mem
bers of the crew Of the prize steamer
Argonauta. to be allowed to go to Gu
ha. The Argonauta was captured by
the Nashville. April Doth, off Cienfuegos,
and was condemned as fair prize. Her
officers and crew We're released 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 permits
sion to join them, promising to observe
Ihelr parole. Ihe Navy Department
has been obliged to refuse this request.
| contenting itself with giving the men
their liberty. The constant reports that
Germany is on the eve of making a seri-
GUS issue in the Philippines, are unac-
| couAtable to officials here. who have the
most direct and positive information
| that Germany has never contemplated
such a step, and is not now moving to-
ward 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 malicious purpose to
! embitter the feeling between Germany
and the United States.
BRITISH SCHOONER BURNED.