The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-20
Copyright 1895 by Associated Press.

On board the associated press boat
Dandy. off Guantanamo, Saturday,
June Is. p. M. via Kingston. Jamaica.
June l9, $3.50 a. m.-Cuban scouts re-
port to-day that the inhabitants Of
| Caimanera have strewn the streets with
straw and oil with the intention of de-
stroying the city and fleeing to the
hills
Caimanera lies four miles up the bay
from Camp McCalla, under the guns
of the American ships, and the situa-
tion is desperate. Starving and famine
stricken, convinced Of the ultimate tri-
umph of the American arms and with
out faith in the protection of the Span
ish soldiery. the people are believed
to have determined to leave their homes
i'm ashes behind them and seek safety
in the hills of the north. The scouts de-
clare that the story is accurate and
say that every building of the town
is being rapidly prepared for the
torch.
The condition of the besieged is a
fearful one. The people are eating
horses and mules and are securing the
hills for fruits and herbs. Occasion
ally brief bombardments by the Ameri-
can fleet leave the helpless citizens
terror-stricken. 1t is also stated that
the Spanish gunboat at Caimanere has
been loaded with infiammables and will
be burned with the city, her command
er declaring that she will never become
an American prize. The scouts also
say the Spanish soldiers are in almost
as complete state of panic as are the
civilians, and that they could easily be
induced to surrender. Some of the
prisoners taken by the marines also
say they believe the Spanish troops are
on the verge of surrender on account
of the lack of food.
Captain McCalla of the cruiser Mar
blehead and Lieutenant Colonel Hunt
ington. in command of the marines, are
not so sure, however, of the reported
Spanish rout. They received informa-
tion yesterday that a general attack
by force of $500 Spanish soldiers and
guerillas on Camp McCalla is contem-
plated within night or two. Prepara-
ton was made for an assault. When |
the associated press dispatch boat |
Dandy arrived at Guantanamo the hills |
about the marine camp were brilliant |
under the shifting rays of the search |
lights OF the Marblehead. Dolphin and |
Scorpion. and the marines are lying in
anxious for battle. but the night passed /
without the firing of a shot. The same
watchful care was exercised to-day, as
captain McCalla is convinced that an
attack is likely to occur at any time.
The Iowa Joined the fleet here this
morning and later the admiral came
over on the flagship to inspect the forti-
ications and confer with Captain Nc
Gala and Lieutenant Colonel Hunting
on.
The coast in the vicinity of Guam
anamo is dotted with the bright -hued
cuban flag. Numerous camps of the in
urgents have been established along
he beach between Santiago and this
'lace and are used by the admiral as
means OF communication with the Gu
'ans In the interior. The information
which these men have given has proved
lighly valuable to the Americans. Their
tories OF the distress of the Spanish
oldiers have been corroborated by the
risoners captured. The Spanish gen.
raj is plainly desperate in trying to OBJ
ain food for his men. The prisoners
mo nave been captured have been ILL
ed and are Indifferent to their fate
Another body of five Spaniards was
aptured by Ensign A. A. Pratt Of the
While cruising in a steam
aunch outside Of the bay he picked up
4o-foot sloop containing a Spanish
aptain named Torres and four sailors.
hey said they were on their way to
to get a supply Of coal oil I
Dr. the lighthouse at Cape Maysi. but
,at they had been sent to obtain in
'rmation relative to the American [
'rces. The crew on the sloop asserted
,at they had been ill-fed and fright
lily ill-treated by the Spanish COM Z,
lander OF the Cape Maysi forces &
There was a brief bombardment of .
blockhouse up the bay by the battle
Zip Oregon yesterday. and il is believed !
lat at least a score of Spaniards were
He'd. Scouting parties report that the !
ockhouse was completely DESTROYED, I
1t that they were unable to discover !
ny bodies. The remains Of the soldiers !.
no had been killed probably having c
.en carried of by their comrades.
Late this afternoon the flagship New
ork returned to the fleet on Santiago
Cuba. I
The marines are growing very restless =
wing to the delayed arrival OF the re-
forcements of troops. but il is gen.
lily believed here to-day that the
ansports will reach Santiago not later d
an Monday. Z,
rumor to the effect that Lieutenant {,