Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-07-02

| ley, Is q pTolu plateau, accessible Dy a
good read. This is the key to Santiago.
| Artillery there could command the city
| and force the Spaniards to evacuate or
| TO storm the heights to ccpture the bat
terry. The latter course the Americans
/ consider extremely unlikely.
General Lawton and his command from
the ridge will first take Caney. A slight
skirmish is expected, but nothing serious.
The captured pacificos all allege that the
Spanish main force, which was here four
days ago. has now been withdrawn into
Santiago in pursuance of general plan
of concentration. Spies report General
Linares' continuous retreat from Baiquiri
| to Santiago. This plan is said to be much
against his own wishes, but to be forced
upon him by his superior officer, General
Torai, commanding Santiago. 1t is evil
dent the Spanish stand is to be made in
side the strong intrenchments about the
city. With well armed men, eager for a
final clash, this stand might well be des-
perate. The temper Of the Spaniards is
hard to ascertain. Owing to the Cubans'
biased estimate of Spanish ability, they
predict a merely nominal resistance, but
the Americans think otherwise.
At any rate, the Spanish are eating horses
and the civilians are gathering mangroves
in suburban wood. where some twenty
have been captured by the American patrol.
The Spaniards have, therefore, the spur of
hunger. Whether it has broken their fight
ing spirit few days may tell.
The capture of Caney and possibly the
occupation of the commanding plateau is
now thought to be the limit of to-morrow's s
movement. General Lawton's command
| carries provisions sufficient to last until
July T. With the present supply train serv-
ice continuing without any accident he will
easily have food enough to last to July Il.
By that time, according to one well in
formed officer, and perhaps sooner, San
tiago will be taken.
This move Of the Fifth division will COM
pletely turn the Spanish eastern flank. Cen
eraI Kents command will be able to move
up parallel to its present position, acting
as wall against the horde of Spaniards
! from three strong lines south and east.
Should serious effort be made to prevent
General Lawton's gaining the desired plat
eau, and the Spanish interior force there
Wheeler may be thrown forward and a
general engagement be precipitated.
A large detail has been at work all day
improving a military road TO Caney with
a view of the artillery and the supplies
for the other force cutting through the
also possible that this opening may bring
the siege guns inland from the railway
that are now working up the coast in the
hands of our troops.
The condition of the American troops is
excellent. despite the hard rains and the
hot sun. only eighteen men out of General
Lawtons 559s We're reported i'll on to-
! days sick call The other commands are
equally well off. The men are full of snap
| and eager for the big fight. In preparation
for the final assault upon Santiago sixty
tried men in each brigade, non-commis-
stoned officers and privates, have been pro-
NOTED to be wire clippers, and they will
precede the first firing line about 200 or
| 800 yards for the purpose of cutting the
barbed wire fences of obstruction on the
way to the city. Their mission is a most
hazardous one, as they will be exposed to
the fire Of our own men as well as that
Of the enemy. The pacificos who have
been brought into the American camp
during the last few days are in pitiable
condition. Men, women and children are
absolutely starving. and they welcome