The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-07-16
VIEWED AT WASHINGTON
THE SANTIAGO SITUATION As UNDER
STOODAT THE CAPITAL.
Skaters Delay in Attack OH the City
Caused by His Desire to Prevent the
Escape of the Spanish-.Ihe Guns of Ger.
vera's Ships Rendered Useless.


sent Sunday night, caused officials OF
the war department to wait all day
Monday with the expectation of hear
ing that the bombardment Of Santiago
had begun. No word to that effect
came, however, up to the time the de-
partment closed, and though there is
little reason to doubt that the general
carries out the programme of which he
had notified the department, it was
regarded possible that he had con-
scented to further extension under
thu flag of truce, in view OF certain
signs of weakening on the part of the
Spanish commander.
The experiments recently made OF
the naval ordnance gave very nnsatls.
factory results when it was attempted
to project shells over the high hills
from the open sea to Santiago city.
Possibly better results may be attained
when the attack is resumed,
but there is more likelihood that
the main reliance will be upon such OF
tho lighter draft vessels of Admiral
Simpsons feet as may succeed in get
ting closer to the shore and in better
position than the heavy battleshipa.
The Washington officials are satisfied
that what appears to be delay on the
part of Gen. Shafter was really caused
by his efforts to carry out strictly the
presidents instruction to prevent the
Spanish army from escaping from San
tiago. He might have attacked the
town several days ago, with the result
that if the Spanish were overcome
they could have retreated without OBJ
struction to the northwest beyond the
reach of our soldiers to follow.
His dispatch indicates clearly that
he has been trying to complete his
line of investment so as to prevent
such an escape, and as he appears to
feel satisfied that he has accomplished
this, tho final assault will not be de-
layed much longer. Gen. Shafter is
disposed to save every life possible in
the war. probably having in mind the
particularly large proportion of killed,
wounded and missing compared to the
total strength of his army in the bat
tie of Caney, which the official figures
promulgated Monday shows was unex-
ceptional in modern warfare. It is to
save our troops that he desires to
make free use of artillery when the
assault proper begins, and also to Sc
cure the cooperation of the navy in
the attack.
The little artillery duel of Sunday
appears to have been more serious in
its results than was at first supposed
by Shafter, for during the afternoon he
was obliged to report as one re-
y suit the death OF Capt. Charles Row
ell, Second infantry, one of the most
gallant and popular officers of the reg
ular establishment. Capt Rowell was
born in New York and appointed to
the military academy in 1881, and was
placed in charge of the company which
he led to his death in 1896. His death
caused deep grief among the officers
OF the department who respected hin
for his soldieriy qualities shown in his
hard service in the past.
The cable communication between
Washington and Gen. Skaters head
:, quarters las now been. gotten into ex
cellent condition, so that it has beer
, possible to receive at the department
. q message within twenty minutes aftel
it has been dispatched by Gen Shafter
, Col. Allen, who is in charge of Gen
q Skaters end of the line, has reported
r to the department that he is now en-
a Gagged in laying cable from Guanta
{ namo to Playa del Este, and whicl
> will still further deduce the time re
? quired for the exchange of communi
! cations.
Tie appearance ct the navy depart
ment Monday morning at an earl
hour of Ensign Palmer, one of the Of
b fcers of the St. Louis, which arrive
8 at Portsmouth Sunday, led the official
Y to believe that he had brought wit
d him the reports of the American CON
: manders upon the battle which re
suited in the destruction of Ceryera'
g squadron.
}. Naval officials say a serious difficult
l. occurred at the time the ships of AZ
d miral Cervera's fleet hauled down the
9 colors and surrendered. Inquire
Q have brought out the fact that tt
t, breech blocks Of the guns were throw
q overheard, thus disabling the gul
, and making them practically wort
o less, and the valves by which Il
ships were flooded opened after IL
1t surrender, when, under the rules
,, warfare, the enemy had ceased figh
ing and had asked for quarter. It
y said that further destruction to II
q ships at such time was bote wantc
ot and dishonorable, and if the perso
II responsible for it are located they G
. likely to be held responsible.
d Hs;n;etara WITT Re Scarce