The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-27
SKATERS VIEWS ON SANTIAGO


New York, Aug. pa dispatch TO the
! Herald from Santiago says:
Prior to embarking on the steamer
/ Mexico. Major General Shafter consented
to be interviwed. During the interview
he discussed in general terms the cam
paign that has just ended The bare pos
sibility Of returning TO the United States
caused him to be brighter, more cheerful
and less harassed looking than since he
| embarked at Tampa Critics and detract-
ors were alike forgotten and with i'm
proved health and the evident conscious
ness that whatever might be the eventual
verdict Of the operations before Santiago
difficult campaign had been brought 10
successful conclusion, he spoke with
greater energy and more vigor than at
any time since the capitulation. General
Shafter said;
/ look upon the campaign just closed
as d successful one in the highest degree.
not ony in regard to the military opera
tons, but more especially in regard 10
the great results achieved. When we
decided to attack Santiago we looked for
nothing more as the immediate fruit Of
victory than the capture of the CITY.
What has ben achieved is the capitulation
of the eastern part of the province from
a line at Jibari to the south coast. to-
getner with the enemy's forces, amount
Ing to almost "a 600 men. Surely this was /
the most notable achievement Of the /
campaign, bearing in mind the fierce on /
position we encountered AMI the compare
tive smallness OF our own forces.
From military point of view. I per |
haps took steps which might not be 1
deemed jusufable under other cfrc1Irn-
stances, but I knew the temper ard the /
capabilities of my soldiers and the moral /
effect Of our gradually coping I'D the
enemy within his own lines.
Ny engineers were very appreheneive
that the Spaniards might break through
on my left and cut off Siboney. This.
from a purely military standpoint. might
have been truthfuIly correct. but per
sonally / had not for moment any fear
on that score The result. 1 think. proved
the correctness Of my conclusions.
our primary object was 10 drive Ger
vera out and next 10 take the town We
had gradually driven the Spaaiards back
on MS lines. circling the city and slowly
advancing day b. day. The enemy Pc
gan losing spirit as soon as our guns
had been placed in position 10 cover the
town
''When Crvera left the situation was
changed TIE town vas a. M mercy
and rad ! given the order for a direct
assault. it would have ben taken within
four hours. I believe that with the forces
then a. my command. re. ENFORCED as they
had bear, vas n position 70 AXE ne I
city 5y force
But II I oad taken q step Of such q
character wnst would have been tee .
salt2 estimate that our casualties ro4id
have been 3.oao men and the action ! took
has had more brilliant real resagts Win
1Ut TIE heavy loss q valuable yves
The town itsef u adm rz55y situated
Tor defense and ne hght would nave hez-
Z long ard bloody ore. Every hoa=s is
strongly constructed % stone and eatsreIv
8 aereat from ths ordinary frame build
1gs Every house was > lltsls fortress
tseh Had TIE spani2r5s. forced By ses-
,eratlon. fougat s3e battle or - .ae
streets oar loss EoUis have been snor-
nous.
sETURNISG ATxIEIAETES
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hey wers cAazsered. TAe Yale ard Hzr-
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