The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-21
TO BEAT THE AMERICANS

! On board the Associated Press disnatcL
boat Dandy, off Guantanamo, Saturday
June B.-(Kingston, Jamaica, Sunday
June 10.-Cuban scouts report today thar
the inhabitants of Cafmanera have strewn
the streets with straw and oil, with the in
tention of destroying the city and fleeing
to the hills.
Caimanera lies four miles I'D the bav
from Camp McCalla, under the guns of the
American ships, and the situation is des-
perate. tarving and famine stricken, con-
WINGED of the ultimate triumph of the
American arms. and without faith in the
protection of the Spanish soldiery, the
people are believed to have determined
to leave their homes in ashes behind them
and seek safety in the hills of the north.
The scouts declare that the story is ac-
curate and say that every building of the
town is being prepared rapidly for the
torch.
The situation of the beseiged is a fear
ful one. The people are eating horses and
mules, and are securing the hills for fruits
and herbs. Occasional brief commandments
by the American feet leaves the HELPLESS
citizens terror-stricken. no preparations
for defense being made.
1t is also stated that the Spanish gum
boat at Caimanera has been loaded with
infiamables and viii be burned with the
city, her commander declaring that she
VIII never become an American prize.
The scouts also say that the Spanish SOL
diers are in almost as complete a state
of panic as are the civilians. and that they
could easily be induced to surrender. Some
of the prisoners taken by the marines also
say they believe the Spanish troops are
on the verge OF surrender, owing to the
lack of food.
Captain MCCalla Of the cruiser Marble
head and Lieutenant Colonel Huntington.
in command OF the marines, are not so
sure, however. of the reported Spanish
rout. They received information yester-
day that a general attack by a force Of
500 Spanish soldiers and guerrillas on
Camp McCalla is contemplated within
night or two. Preparation was made for
an assault.
When the dispatch boat Dandy arrived
in Guantanamo the hills about the marine
camp were brilliant under the shifting
rays of the searchlights of the Marble
head. Dolphin and Scorpion. and the ma
rines were lying in the rife pits. al the
guns. ready and anxious for battle. but
the night passed without the firing of a
shot The same watChful care was ex-
arclsed today. as Captain McCalla is con-
WINGED that an attack Is likely TO occur at
any time
The Iowa joined the fleet here this morn
L
the flagship TO inspect the f7rtifcations
and co1fer with Captain McCala and
Lieutenant Colonel Huntington.
The coast in the vicinity OF Guantanamo
IS dotted with The bright hued Cuban aar.
Numerous camps Of The insurgents have
been established along the beach between
Santiago and this place and used BIZ the
admiral - means OF communication with /
|ubans IN the interior The aid which (
these men have given has proved highly F
5aluab,e 20 the Americans. Their stories /
II the restitution and revolt among the (
Spanish soldiers IN this vicinity have been
by Interviews with prisoners (
captured around the camp.
General Perejo. who IS II command Of 1
he Spanish forces here. Is undoubtei.v
desperate in regard 20 the obtaining OF /
-ood FOR his men. The prisoners who have /
been captured appear 70 nave been i'll fed /
md are apparently indifferent as 70 their I
late.
Another body Of i've spaaiards were
,aptured yesterday by Ensign y y. Pratz 4
# The Marbiehead- While cruising IN a 1
steam yact outside the bay ne picked up 4
| 5e-toa sloop containing = Spanish cap /