New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-30
SHAFTER IS CONFIDENT.
CAN TAKE SANTIAGO IN FOR-
TY-EIGHT HOURS.
FIRST GENERAL ENGAGEMENT EN-
PECTED SOON-STRONG REINFORCE
MENTS FOR THE SPANIARDS

Washington June 29-The opinion preValls
bora that within a day or two at most General
shafter will have begun his attack upon the
city Of Santiago proper.
The important event OF the day was the Ten
erals announcement that he could take the CITY
in forty-eight hours. but at considerable loss
Taken in connection with the announcement
contained in another dispatch that he IS going
TO attack without awaiting reinforcements. II
will be seen that the officials have ground for
their expectation that the first general engage
ment OF the war will begin in a short time.
Numerically the opposing armies are not very
different the estimate OF the Spanish force being
placed at II. 900 men. thoroughly ntrenched and
behind barbed wire fences and blockhouses. as
against about $4,000 men under Skaters COM
mand aided by 1000 Cubans.
AID OF THE FLEET NECESSARY.
One of the gravest elements in the problem.
however. is the Spanish warships for unless
Shafter is materially assisted by Sampson. who
might engage the full attention OF the Spanish
ships. their fire upon the American advance
forces would be hard to meet The military
authorities say that General Lnares has shown
great military tact in slowly retiring during the
last few days as he has gradually drawn our
troops away from the protection OF the Ameri-
can ships in Santiago Harbor. For this reason
It was with relief that the announcement was
received here that Shafter had succeeded In
landing all OF his artillery, including his siege
train. for unless Sampson can be relied upon 10
force his way into the harbor and attack the
Spanish ships. these Siege guns. planted on
heights commanding the bay. will be the main
reliance Of General shafter in onsettng the
presence OF the Spanish ironclads.
REINFORCEMENT FOR LINARES.
Undoubtedly shafter is animated to attack as
soon as possible by his knowledge OF the ap-
proach " the reinforcements for Linares from
Manzanllo, FOR with this additional force
Skaters position would be dIsagreeabe II not
perilous. at least until he had received rein
forcements The War Department received the
first definite news to-day to the approach Of
these Spanish reinforcements. This was in an
Official dispatch stating that 5000 men. with
pack trains and droves OF animals. were advanc-
,ng from Manzanillo and were hfty-four miles
from Santiago. 1t has been known through re-
ports from Lieutenant Joyce. made 10 General
| Miles that the Spaniards nave $1,000 men az
ManzanlIo ana 10000 at Holguin. and every
precaution has beeh taken to guard against
their advance from either quarter The ofiicia
report today showed that 5000 Of those al
Manzanlllo had covered half the distance L
Santiago. and 1t is the belief Of military official:
here that General Papdo is making a similar
advance with his 10000 men from Holguin
These advances. now practically unopposed ar,
regarded as one Of the most serious phases O
the situation
There is the further element TO which the mill
tary authorities are giving careful attention
that one man behind earthworks or in rife pit
IS worth three In the open 1t is said that th'
battles Of Chancellorsvile and spottsylvanit
afforded the most direct proof on this fo::'i:.
MORE TROOPS TO JOIN sHAFTER.
II was announced at the War Department
that by their reports 5000 soldiers should b.
leaving Tampa to-day % join shafter. Thes
will be three or four days on the voyage, and
"a nrobable that It is this force that Genera
shafter refers 10 as likely to arrive too lat
FOR his action
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