The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-06-14

Mole ST. Nicholas. Haiti, June a.
After brief engagement, in which a
regiment of Spanish infantry was
driven headlOng from its position, $50
American marines were landed on the
eastern side of the harbor of Guantan-
amo Saturday afternoon. The landing
was made under the protection of the
guns of the Oregon, the Marblehead
and the Yosemite. By this stroke the
American forces gained a most deSlra-
bic base. They now will be able to
seize the railroad which runs from
Guantanamo to Caimanera, and they
can take without trouble several ships
loaded with coal now lying in the har-
Dor whenever coal is needed for the
American feet. This first landing in
the vicinity of Guantanamo was ac-
complished in broad daylight. The
Spaniards made a feeble attempt at
resistance, but they were forced to flee
under the heavy fire of the American
vessels. So hasty was their departure
that when the Americans landed the
first duty was to haul down the Span
ish flag left by the enemy. In it's place
was
Raised the Stars and Stripes
at the sight of which the marines be-
came wildly enthusiastic. Rear Adj
miral Sampson early in the morning
sent word to Capt. Goodrich, of the
marines, who was aboard of the ore
gon, that the Panther, with $50 ma
rines on board, would proceed also to
Guantanamo, accompanied by the Yo-
semitic Accordingly the Oregon and
the Marblehead opened fire on the
blockhouse and the cable station at the
mouth of Guantanamo harbOr, where
a regiment of Spanish infantry was To-
Gated A shower of SiX-inch shells
fell about the Spaniards, and soon the
cable station was in ruins. SO ac-
curate was the work of the American
gunners that the Spaniards were very
quickly thrown into CONSERVATION
They offered some opposition at first.
but it was feeble When they saw the
destruction being worked about them
and realized the futility of their own
efforts, the Spanish fed precipitately.
Capt Goodrich with sixty marines
from the Oregon, landed at II o'clock
to select a camping place. Crest
heights, point overlooking the harbor
and Guantanamo, was chosen and
made ready for the marines who were
coming in the Panther. This is fine
site, climatic conditions being very ia
vorable and the point being
ImpregpabIe Against Attack
by the enemy. Before Capt. Goodrich
and his men had finished their work
the Yosemite and the Panther appeared
off the coast. The work of landing the
men from the Panther began. In
whaleboats towed by the launches the
entire force of $50 men was quickly
put ashore. They formed under COM
mand of Lieut. Col Huntington and
went hurrying up to Crest heights. The
landing was affected in an hour with
out accident. 1t wa sknown that 5000
Spaniards were assembled within five
miles of Crest heights and the work of
fortifying the base was begun forth
with. The spirits of the Americans
We're high and the work of mounting
guns went on very rapidly, so that by
$3.50 the camp of the Americans was
made capable of resisting any force
the Spaniards would be able to send
against it. No attack was made on the
town of Guantanamo, as it is not need
ed as base for the operations of the
American forces. Crest heights is so
situated that the men there can be
fully protected by the guns of the Ore
gon and the other warships in the vi
entity, although ship protection is hard
~ necessary.
Warships Take en- Coal.
Kingston, Jamaica, June 10. - For
three days the scene of the chief mill
tary and naval operations has been
Caimanera and Guantanamo bay. The
American flag is flying on the shore
and in the harbor, first planted on Gu
ban soil by United States marines from
the transport Panther, under Lieut.
Col. r. w. Huntington, covered by the
guns of the cruiser Marblehead, COM
manded by Commander McCalla,
whose name is a SYNONYM for activity
and fighting. The battleship Oregon
has already coaled in the smooth
waters of the harbor and has sailed
away. The battleship Texas is coaling,
to be followed by other ships.
A Master Stroke.
London, June 14.-The Paris CORE
spondent of the Standard says: Critics
here regard the occupation of Guam
tanamo harbor as a master stroke, and
the fact that 5000 Spanish allowed the
landing as ominously significant
GirOn Gives Tin