The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-27
PRESIDENT IS PLEASED
Congratulations CabIed to
Gen. Shattsr.
RUSHING REINFORCEMENTS.
No Chance Of Defeat for Lack of
Men 10 Be Taken.
RUSHING REINFORCEMENTS.

The General 10 BE Allowed the Wild
est Possible Liberty of Action in
His Operations in the FieId-FaciI-
tiles for Getting News by Wire Be
ing Improved DaiIy-spain's Fake
BuIletins-NO Credencc Put in
story That She Has Secured Three
New Crulsers--MOre Credence Civ
en- the story That Cnmara Has a
Diplomatic Point TO Gain.
Washington, June 26.-Though there
were the usual number of officials for a
Sunday at their desks In the war and
navy departments to-day, there did not
seem to be any expectation of important
news from the seat Of war.
Secretary Alger explained this readily
In his view the army has been moved one
of those stages incident to the progress of
a campaign and is now effecting a new
formation.
The reports show that there Is only one
road and that a poor one, from the sea
where the troops landed, leading to San
tiago Along this the army necessarily
has been obliged to move in single coll
umn
Strong accommodating forces were pru-
IDENTIFY thrown out ahead and It was these
that engaged in the action of Friday
morning. They developed the presence
of me enemy in force directly ahead and
Before undertaking set battle our army
must be formed in regular battle array
not single column front as it advanced,
along the road but in broad
open order across the country,
the only feasible manner of conducting a
battle successfully. AS part of this plan
the advance must halt and walt until the
rear guard comes up.
In the secretarys opinion this work was
going on yesterday. The forces left at
near savilla. where the Spaniards are
supposed to be in force, the field artll-
lery was being dragged up the rough
mountain roads, and the quartermaster
was hurrying along the stores as fast as
they could be landed from the transports.
All this Is very necessary work, but not
such as would call for an official report
from Gen. Shafter.
To say that the President and Secretary
Alger are gratlied with the success that
has so far attended the progress of Gen.
Shafter's campaign would be stating the
case mildly
The President in quick appreciation OF
Gen. Skaters energy, has sent a cable
gram congratulating him and the men
composing his army on the excellent work
they have done.
The message could not be obtained here,
the officials taking the ground dhat 1t would
be proper for Gen. shafter alone to make
It public, but Il is known to be couched
in terms of praise.
Secretary Alger added his tribute to-
day In the course Of short talk with an
Associated Press reporter. He said he
felt sure Gen. shafter would prove him
self to be a wise, brave and prudent gem
era He was particularly impressed
with one short statement IN Gen. Shaft
err - dispatch received yesterday, stating
that he wanted nothing, which the secre-
tary regarded as an evidence OF the self
reliant character of the man.
Nevertheless, the secretary is sending
along reinforcements with all possible
promptness. It Is a good deal better to
have 1000 too many soldiers than one too
few, In his opinion. He believes that
Gen, Dumelds troops, to the number OF
1 .30O which embarked four days ago from
Newport News will arrive al Baiquirl to-
morrow and within four days 1900 more
troops, which leave Fort Monroe to-day
VIII be at the scene Of action.
In addition there viii be a further move
ment OF troops 20 Santiago just as soon
as the men and transports are ready. Pos
siby Gen. Miles may go with these.
If the troops are not needed when they
arrive nothing will be lost, for they car
be very well employed elsewhere and win
have the advantage Of seasoning.
The secretary took occasion 10 state
again that Gen. Shafter Is to be allowed
the widest liberty Of action, unrestricted
by unnecessary orders from Washington.
He thinks the wisdom OF this course Is
amply justified by the results SO far OBJ
tained.
For this reason It is not possible to ac-
foretei Gen. Shafter's plan of
operation against Santiago, the matter be-
ing largely In his own hands.
Gen. Greeley, chief signal officer. re-
ceived a dispatch last night from Lieut.
Col. Allen, In charge Of the signal corps.
with Gen. Skaters army. lie said moth
ing about the military operations, but
stated that he was about to extend ms
line OF telegraphic communication wes,-
ward from Playa del Este TO Aquedores
which is only half dozen miles east Of
Moro Castle and very much nearer The
advance OF the American army This viii
be done by short cable which already
exists between the two points.
A field telegraphic service has already
been dispatched from Tampa, 20 that h
The course Of few days at the most Gen.
shafter viii have a telegraph instrument
In his own tent. putting him IN direct
with Washington.
The little band OF signal corps men has
been doing some OF the most energetic
and exhausting work Of the campaign.