The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-07-14
TO PHEVENT ESCAPE.
General Skaters Efforts to Garry
Out Presidents Injunction
FOR SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO.

Tests OF the Naval Ordnance Give Un.
satisfactory Results In the Attempt
to Shell Santiago Over the High
Hills From the Open Sen.
Washington, July 12.-General Shaf-
ter's report from Siboney sent Just be-
fore midnight Sunday caused officials
OF the war department to wait all day
with the expectation OF hearing that
the bombardment OF Santiago had be-
gun. No word to that effect came, how
ever. up to the time the department
closed. and though there is little reason
to doubt that the general carried out
the program OF which he had notifI
the department 1t was regarded as pos
sible that he had consented to a further
extension under the flag OF truce in
view of certain signs of weakening on
the part Of the Spanish commander.
1t Is supposed here that General Miles
with additional achievements on the
Yale will arrive at Siboney this morn
Ing and II a surrender has not been Sc
cured by that time it is believed that
the assault upon the town proper will
be prosecuted at once with the greatest
energy and determination. The tests
made recently Of the naval ordnance
gave very unsatisfactory results when
1t was attempted to project shells over
the high hills from the open sea into
Santiago city. Possibly better results
may be attained today II the attack Is
resumed then, but there Is more likeli-
hood that the main reliance will be
upon such of the lighter draught YES
sells of Admiral SIMPSONS fleet as may
succeed In getting closer to the shore
and In better position than the heavy
battleships.
The officials here are satisfied that
what appears to be delay on the part OF
General Shafter was really caused by
his efforts to carry out strictly the presi-
dents injunction to prevent the Span
ish army from escaping from Santiago.
He might have attacked the town sew
eral days ago with the result that II the
SpaniaPds were overcome they would
have retreated without obstruction to
the northwest beyond the reach OF our
soldiers to follow. General Shafter is
disposed to save every life possible In
the war; probably having In mind the
particularly large proportion killed.
wounded and missing compared to the
total strength of his army in the battle
OF Caney, which the official figures pro-
mulgatcd today shows was exceptional
In modern warfare.
The little artillery duel Of Sunday ap-
pears to have been more serious in its
results than was at first suspected by
h,C Ctn,- - g.. n.
afternoon he was obliged to report as
one result the death OF Captain Charles
w. Rowell, Second infantry one OF the
most gallant and popular officers OF the
regular establishment.
The cable communication between
Washington and General Skaters
headquarters has now been gotten into
excellent condition, SO that 1t has been
possible to receive at the department a
message within 20 minutes after 1t has
been dispatched by General Shafter.
Colonel Allen, who Is In charge at Gen
eral Skaters end of the line. reported
to the department that he Is now en-
gagged In laying n cable from Guanta-
namo to Playa del Este, which will still
further reduce the time required for the
exchange Of communications.
Naval officials say that serious IT.
regularity occurred at the time the
ships OF Admiral Cervera's fleet hauled
down their colors and surrendered. In
quiries have brought out the fact that
the breech blocks of the guns were
thrown overheard, thus disabling the
guns and making them practically
worthless, and the valves by which the
ships were flooded opened after the sur
render, when. under the rules OF war
fare. the enemy had ceased fighting and
had asked for quarter. 1t is said that
further destruction to the ships at such
a time was both wanton and dishonor-
able. and that II the persons respen-
sible for 1t are located they are likely
n no held accountahla