Evening journal., 1898-06-24
MILES THINKS III True.
Madrid Story. with Exceptions, Credited
In Washington.

Ahufio ntorhf win EAcephuuhf Nreoltoo
In Washington.
WASHINGTON, June 24-Secretary
Alger and General Miles were Ia confer
ence In the secretary's office at 4 o'clock
yesterday afternoon when the first Mad
rid bulletin announcing that lighting
had begun was shown TO them The
secretary read Il aloud with evident
satisfaction. and both OF them express
cd themselves gratihed with this favor
able report. coming as Il did from the
enamx There was no surprise that the
dkhting had begun 50 soon. It was sug-
Rested by the reporter that the troops
had completed their landing only yes
terday morning Eyes, but they have
gone there TO fight and are ready 10 be-
sin II at once" replied General Miles.
Secretary Alger said no word had been
received. up to that hour indicating that
hghting was In progress. He had no
reason 20 doubt however, that our
troops had encountered the Spanish
forces and had given good account OF
themselves. He commented on Admiral
Cerveras cable that the situation was
Critical and tfst the Spaniards had
been obliged to retire as In strange con-
trast with Madrid's claim Of a Spanish
Victory" General Miles said that the
American troops would now push for
ward aggressively driving In the Span
ieh and forcing them to fight. There
was no suggestion OF apprehension or
doubt, either with Secretary Alger or
General Miles as TO what the outcome
would be. They had made their plans
well. and they were confident that Cen
etal shafter and his troops would be
hammering at the gates OF Santiago be-
fore long.
The impression here is that the Span
iards viii make their strongest stand
close TO Santiago and the inner harbor
within the range and protection OF the
guns OF the big Spanish cruisers lying
there. There Is no doubt that until
these ships are removed from the field
OF operations the campaign against
Santiago viii be conducted against odds
The guns Of the ships command the hills
over which our soldiers must come to
attack the town and reach the bay, but
we win soon bring our own artillery In
20 play.
The naval officials here believe that
when the time comes for an attack by
land upon the town Sampson will force
his way into the harbor and take part
in the engagement. They are satisfied
that the wreck Of the Merrimac does
not CNinplettiy nlOCk lnc CndIlnel and
say that II Sampson does not come in
the Spanish fleet is likely 70 make a
desperate effort TO get out The mines
are to be considered IN such case. but
II Is believed that once MORO castle Is
taken by the combined attack OF the
soldiers and feet these distractions
can be easily removed with the expert
ence gained In Guantanamo bay.
The only positive news coming to the
war department up to tho close cf office
hours was a dispatch 10 General Niles
from one OF his stan officers with Gen
eral Shafter and also brief dispatch
10 General Greedy from Lieutenant Colo
mel Allen. General Miles dispatch
stated in substance that the landing OF
troops had been completed without any
casualties save TO one Cuban soldier
who had his arm injured by the burst.
ing OF a shell The troops OF Garcia
and Rabi. about 700 in number hat
met the American forces with enthu.
siastic greetings.
Stress was laid upon the pont thai
the Cubans were we'll armed and vel
disciplined. General Garcia was con.
fident that his forces would be swellet
70 10000 men as soon as Santiago fell
About the only need among the Cubanl
was shoes and quinine The dispatch
TO General Greedy merely stated tha
progress was being made in connecting