The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-07-02
GREAT battle IMPENDING.
Gen. Shafter Announces that BE
Can Capture Santiago in
Forty-Eight Hours.
The FORCES OF THE OPPOSING ARMIES.
Military Tact Shown by Gen. Linares-A
Dangerous POsition-Behind Earth
works and in the Open-American Re.
Inducements that Will Arrive Too
Late.

WASHINGTON, June 3O.-The opinion
prevails here that within a day or two
at most Gen. Shafter will have begun
his attack upon the city of Santiago
proper. The important event of the
day was the generals announcement
that he could take the city in 4s hours,
but at considerable loss. Taken in
connection with the announcement
contained in another dispatch that he
was going to attack without waiting
for reinforcement, it will be seen that
the officials have ground for their ex-
pectation that the first general en-
gagement of the war will begin in a
very short time.
Force of the Opposing Armies.
Numerically the opposing armies are
not very different, the estimate of the
Spanish force being placed at $4,000
men, thoroughly lntrenched and be-
hind barbed wire fences and block
houses, as against about $4,000 under
Skaters command, aided by 1000 Gu
bans.
One of the gravest elements in the
problem, however, is the Spanish war
ships, for, unless Shafter is materially
assisted by Sampson, who might en-
gage the full attention of the Spanish
ships, their fire upon the American adj
vance would be very hard to meet.
Great Military Tact Shown by Gen.
Linares.
The military authorities here say
that Gen. Linares has shown great
military tact in slowly retiring during
the last few days, as he has gradually
drawn our troops from the protection
of the American ships and brought
them close to the fire of the Spanish
ships in Santiago harbor. For this
reason it was with relief that the an
nouncement was received here that
Shafter had succeeded in landing all
of his artillery, including his siege
train, for unless Sampson can be re.
lied upon to force his way into the
harbor and attack the Spanish ships,
the siege guns planted on heights COM
handing the bay will be the main re-
lance of Gen. Shafter in offsetting the
presence OF the Spanish irOnclads.
Skaters Position Would Re Disagreeable
IL Not Dangerous.
Undoubtedly Shafter is animated to
attack as soon as possible by his knowl.
edge of the approach of the reinforce.
ments for Lineras from Manzanillo, for
with this additional force, Skaters
position would be disagreeable if not
perilous, at least until he had received
reinforcements.
The war department received the
first definite news yesterday as to the
approach of these Spanish reinforce
ments. This was in an official dispatch
stating that 5000 men, with pack train
and droves of animals were advancing
from Manzanillo and were "a miles
from Santiago.
An Element of Uncertainty and Danger
1t has been known through reports
from Lieut.. Joyce, made to Gen. Miles,
hat the Spaniards have $4,000 men at
Manzanillo and 10000 at Holguiu, and
every precaution has been taken to
guard against their advance from
either quarter. The official report
showed that 5000 of those at Manza-
milo had covered half the distance to
Santiago, and it is the belief of mill
tary officials here that Gen. Pando is
making similar advance with his TO-
600 men from Holguin. These ad.
vances, now practically unopposed, are
regarded as one of the most serious
phases of the situation.
Behind Earthworks and In the Open.
There is the further element to
which the military authorities are CIV
ing careful attention, hat one man in
trenched behind earthworks or in rife
pits is worth three men in the open.
1t is said that the battles of Chancel-
louisville and Spottsylvania afforded
the most direct proof on this point.
American ReInforcements that Will Arrive
Too Late.
1t was announced at the war depart
ment that by reports, 1900 soldiers
should be leaving Tampa to-day to
join Shafter. They will be three or
-four days on the voyage, and it is prob.
able that it is this force that Gen.
Shafter refers to as likely to arrive too
late for his action.