New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-06
B0MBARDMENT DELAYED
SHA FTER AND Sd WPSON HOLD
A CONFERENCE.
TERRIFIC TROPICAL STORM FINDS
SHAFTER'S MEN LYING UNPRO-
TECTED IN THE TRENCHES
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrNE.l

lBY TELEGRAPH TRIBuNE.l
Washington, July 5.-The difficulties attending
the siege of Santiago have been materially mag
nifed by a terrific tropical storm which oc-
CURED yesterday rendering inpassable all roads
between General Skaters line OF battle and the
base Of supplies nine miles distant. and con-
fronting him with very serious problem OF de-
livering food and ammunition to his men in the
advanced trenches II had also caused the
heaviest surf on the beach where he embarked,
and rendered it impossible to land supplies.
troops horses from the transports. Rein
forcements. therefore. cannot reach him for
several days unless Santiago Harbor can be
thrown open to the free access Of ships
In his reports General shafter also int,mated
that his men. lying unprotected all day in the
heat Of the sun. and the rains at night. unable
to stir about. were losing strength and the re-
Inducements secured by the Spanish. as we'll
as their advantageous position. make it prac-
tically impossible for him to carry the city by
assault.
sHAFTER AND SAMPSON TO CONFER
structions were sent by the President to Ad-
miral Sampson and General Shafter to confer
concerning a joint plan OF attack upon the city.
Upon the outcome OF this conference depends
the line Of action Of the immediate future. For
the present, the land bombardment by General
Skaters forces has been deferred and the situ-
alton has completely changed by the an
initiation Of the Spanish fleet that 1t is mani
festly the part OF wisdom for this land bonn
bardment to await the cooperation and support
Of a bombardment from Admiral SIMPSONS
fleet General Skaters demand for the sur
render Of Santiago on the pain II bombardmeni
was made al $50 o'clock Sunday morning. An
hour later Admiral Cervera made his suicidal
dash from the harbor. resulting in complete
transformation of the naval and military con-
ditions Instead Of n menacng Spanish Acct
within the harbor the way has been cleared.
save FOR the shore batteries for the entrance of
the American fleet up 10 the very wharves OF
the city With this material change wrought. il
was obvious 70 the authorities here that the
blow. first intended 20 be delivered by General
shafter alone. would he douby effective and de-
csive II the two forces could be brought to-
gether and strike simultaneously from land and
sea Il IS :or this reason that the conference
is held between the American General and the
American Admiral. Up to the close Of office
hours to-day no word had come either to the
War or Navy departments so far as was dis
closed. as TO what determination had been
reached at the conference.
II is known here. however that Il is impossi-
bic 70 get the siege guns into position. and re-
ance is therefore Of necessity placed upon the
speedy action Of the Navy in enectng an en-
trance to the harbor The President. while anx-
ious that no unavoidable delay should occur.
deprecates an unnecessary sacrifice OF life. and
It was at his instance that orders were sent to
Admiral Sampson and General Shafter suggest
ing their cooperation in further operations after
full conference as 70 the safest and speedest
plan Of conduct.
SAMPSON EXPECTED TO ENTER THE
HARBOR.
It is the clear expectation Of the authorities
here that the conference will result in a deter
mlnation by the Admiral TO take his fleet
through the narrow neck Of the harbor make
his way past the shore batteries and fortifca-
tions. and take position before the city for a
bombardment There Is reason to believe that
the instructions sent TO Admiral Sampson at
least conveyed the desire II not the instructions.
D,if Z ia q
Admiral and the General continue 10 be the
supreme officials in authority. and that. being
on the scene. fully alive to all the conditions.
their judgment will be taken final in the
course 10 he adopted.
There Is said TO be no obstacle. as far as navi-
CATION is concerned. to the entrance OF the har-
Dor by the American fleet. The Cristoba Colon
which cleared the Merrimac and got out OF the
harbor on Sunday. drew 23 feet inches. which is
within seven inches OF the draught OF the bat
te-ships Iowa. Indiana. Massachusetts and
Oregon. and is greater than the draught OF the
battle-ship Texas. Moreover. the Navy Depart
ment has known for the last ten days that the
neck Of the channel was open. despite the SINK
ing OF the Merrimac. and that there was
clear seaway Of seven fathoms. through which
any ship in our Navy could sail This removes
all difficulty. except for submarine mines, or
from the shore batteries. AS to the mines. lit
tle account is taken OF them. since the Spanish
fleet passed over them
FORTS AND BATTERIES DISABLED.
The forts and batteries have been badly
weakened by the constant fire Of the feet for
many weeks past. and while still factor. they
are greatly disabled Once up to the city, the
Goo, and Army could combine In a terrific
double fire No LEGS than w heaVy guns wou'u