The Saint Paul globe., 1898-07-02
Santiago and Escape

WASHINGTON, July 1.-Just two
months after the battle of Manila and
on the first day of the month, like that
glorious engagement, began the first
set battle of the war in this hemisphere.
Never before since the declaration of
war has there been such a feeling of
Intense interest and anxiety manifest
ed. The officials here are conid MT that
they have done everything possible to
strengthen Skaters hands for the
great conflict he is waging, and they
have an unlimited confidence in his dis
cretion, his bravery and his energy.
The attack today. several days be-
fore the public expected the battle, is
attributed to his energy as we'll as his
Judgment, showing that in the present
light he found it necessary to cross the
foe in detail, following Napoleon's
favorite maxim. instead of allowing
them to consolidate and outnumber
him.
AS the day wore along without bring
ing any news the anxiety increased
and the question was in every ones
mouth: why does he not report 2"
Adit. Gen. Corbins response was brief,
ing" and this was accepted as a like
ly and sound explanation.
Just before o'clock came brief dis
patch from Playa del Este, the cable
station near Santiago. But it was from
an engineer officer to Gen. Miles, and
made no reference to the progress Of
the battle, merely referring to certain
necessary material and live stock. On
the whole this very absence of official
news was regarded as rather a favor
able indication, the reasoning being
that this mornings engagement was
bu, a heavy skirmish, and that our
Amy was feeling the enemy to dis
cover and strike at his weak spot 1t
was nearly o'clock when the signal
office received the welcome news that
the enemy was retreating.
HEAVY SKIRMISH.
Gen. Miles was of the opinion that
the action Of today was in the nature
of heavy skirmish all along the
American front, particularly on the
right, and that It's main purpose was
to develop the strength of the enemy
and If possible learn the vulnerable
point along the Spanish front. This
however, was based only on the lack
of definite information and Gen. Miles
felt that any hour might bring word
ot a general engagement
Erig. Gen. Stone was inclined to be-
lieve that after maintaining their stand
today, the Spaniards would retire dur
ing the night. leaving the city evacuat-
ed. The military authorities here are
fuliV cOnSi6prnQ ha nbo %
retreat of the Spanish army from
Santiago, and are endeavoring 80 to
shape events that Gen. Skaters forces
will not only take Santiago. but will
capture 10000 Spaniards before thew
get away northward to effect a juno
ton with Gen. Pando. Full informa-
tion as to the possible lines of retreat
has been placed at the disposal Of the
wa, department. One of the most in
teresting statements is that of General
Manager Cox, Of the Spanish-American
Mining company at Baiquiri, who is
thoroughly acquainted with all the
country surrounding Santiago. He
shows that two possible lines of re-
treat are: First, by the road to Ell
Cobre; or, second, by following the line
of the Sabinallo & Marato railroad.
SPANIARDS LINE OF RETREAT.
The rfist line will be easy for about
the first ten miles, or as far as Ell Gu
bre, but after that the country is
mountainous and barren and would
not afford subsistence, and the pass to
reach the central plateau of the island
would be difficult. The more likely
line Of retreat would be along the line
of the above mentioned railroad, cross
Ing the Sierra Maestro at Ell Critic, a.
pass 600 feet above the sea, ten miles
north of Santiago, which is the lowest
pass through the Sierra Maestro for
many miles. The country back of this
is a rolling plateau of rich agricultural
land. AT Manacas, on the railroad,
two miles north of the pass, Is an iron
bridge, consisting Of a series of thirty
foot spans on iron trestle bents. This
point is about two miles beyond the
Cristo Summit, and just beyond this