The San Francisco call., 1898-06-22

or 4O0O veterans was III the NlClIllly ol Aserradero, fifteen miles west of San tiago where is the headquarters of Colonel Cebreco, the local Cuban chief, whose following consists of 1000 men. Garcia's army is equipped with thirteen field guns.
 News of the approach of the Cubans was brought to Admiral Sampson and General Shafter to-day by General Garcia, who came accompanied by eight Cuban major generals to present his greetings and compliments to the Americans. The visitin officers were taken on board by the flagship dispatch boat, returning on the Vixen, which makes regular trips to the point at which the Cuban headquarters is To- cated. General Garcia told the Ameri- can chiefs the concentration of Ameri- can warships and troops in the vicinity of Santiago was certain to have a good effect on Cuban troops all through the eastern part of Cuba. There had been a marked improvement. he said, in the discipline of his soldiers since the arri- val of Admiral Sampsons fleet, and the additional encoura cement which the ar rival of General Shafter's army would bring could but result, General Garcia said, in still further increasing the fighting capabilities of his men.
 Admiral Samson and the officers of the fleet at first were skeptical as to the assistance the Cuban troops could be depended upon to give. After con- sidering the personal information ob- tained from General Garcia, however, they now expect great aid from Gar cia's veteran warriors.
 General Garcia also brought the cheering news th~t his men were com pletely equipped for effective warfare. and that the arms and ammunition sent by the Florida had been received all right.
 There is a difference of opinion among the Cuban leaders as to the most available landing place for the American troops. One suggestion from them is that the landing be made upon the Carnegie Iron Companys dock at Aquadores, after the fleet has driven the Spaniards from the hills in that vicinity. But shelling the mountains is unsatisfactory work, and I am told that this suggestion will not be con- sidered seriously until other more promising plans have been investi- gated. It may be decided to land scouting parties at this point. General Garcia, impressed by the advantages already gained by the Americans about Guantanamo Bay, advocates the landing of General Shafter's army there. If that plan should be adopted the American troops, after taking Guantanamo, could march against Santiago from the east, while Garcia and his men attack 1t from the west. There is some objection to this plan by the American officers, as it would mean the loss of two weeks time and subject the American troops to a hard march over mountain roads, during which they would be exposed constantly to bushwhacking attacks by the Span fards before they could get to Santiago. Colonel Cebreco urges the selection of Acerraderos as a better place at which to land troops than either of the others. r. is a hard and dangerous march from that point to the plateau opposite Santiago, but the invading army would be in a commanding posi- tion at the end of the march.
 General Garcia's old failing-seasicx- ness-disabled him from going into tbe matter extensively while he was with Admiral Sampson. It was decided to have conference at the Cuban head quarters in Acerraderos
 It is considered most likely, as indi- cated in my former dispatches. that the American troops will disembark at the base of the high mountain range to the westward Of Santiago. Covering the landing place are two low hills. of which the Americans easily could take possession. This done, field artillery can be moved to tops of hills and from there the Spaniards can be driven into retreat toward Santiago. It will be possible also to destroy the remaining defenses of the harbor, after which the mines now protecting Cervera's fleet can be removed. When everything else is ready the wreck of the Merrimac can be destroyed, the channel to the inner harbor opened and Admiral Sampson can drive Cerveras ships to the northern side of the bay and there capture or destroy them When the Spanish fleet is disposed of General Shafter can readily surround and take the city.
 Information received from the shore yesterday shows the Spanish are get ting into most desperate straits daily. Food is now getting so scarce that 600 Spanish cavalrymen have been dis mounted in order that their horses may be used for food.