The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-07
Santiago May Not Be
BOmbarded This
Ween.
The PRESENT FORCES ARE INSUFFICIENT.
Not Advisable to Attempt
to Carry the City by
Storm.
The SPANISH FIGHTING FORCE SUPERIOR.

WASHINGTON, July 5.-There will
be no bombardment of Santiago to-
day, and possibly not during the
present week. This is the opinion of
members Of the cabinet as expressed
on leaving the White House after the
cabinet meeting. Secretary Alger
and Secretary Long have been in
almost constant communication with
General Shafter and Admiral Samp-
son upon the general situation, and
the conclusion has been reached that
it would be inadvisable to attempt to
carry the city of Santiago by storm
with our present forces.
General Shafter, in dispatch re-
ceived last night, confirmed the re-
port that General Pando with about
5000 Spaniards, had arrived in the
city and the latter were distributed
among the Notifications. This rein
forcement makes the Spanish forces
defending the city from 10000 to 49,
900. The very great advantage of
being intrenched adds materially to
their strength, and, in the opinion of
military men, makes their effective
fighting force from a third to half
greater than our own.
Assault Would Be Unwise.
General Shafter in his dispatches
states that the excessive heat and
rains of the last two weeks have con-
tributed nearly as much as the Span
ish bullets to the ineffectiveness of
our army. Under these circumstan-
ces it is his opinion that it would be
unwise to attempt to carry the city
by assault. This view is shared by
the officials here, and also, it is under
stood, by Admiral Sampson, in COM
mand of the fleet.
At the Cabinet meeting the Presi-
dent directed that kilograms be sent
to Admiral Sampson suggesting that
they confer as to the situation, and
particularly as to the advisability of
the Admiral's attempt to force pas
sage into Santiago bay, and so be in
position to render effective aid in
the assault upon the city.
Shafter Wants SIMPSONS Aid.
1t is known to be Gen. Skaters de-
sire to have the fleet enter the harbor.
Orders were also given looking to the
immediate dispatch of troop-ships
from Tampa with reinfOrcements for
Shafter, and others now off Santiago
will be brought here at the earliest
possible minute to aid in the trans
portation of reinforcements. 1t is
probable that at least $4,000 will be
sent forward at rapidly as transpor-
tatiOn can be provided. Thus aug
mented, there seems to be no doubt
that the forces under Gen. Shafter
will be able to storm and take the city
without delay. These are the ideas
entertained by members of the Cabi-
net who talk freely on the subject
Nevertheless the orders under which
both the Army and Navy are now
operating gives the commanders wide
discretion, and it is not doubted that.
should changed circumstances seem to
warrant it, an aggressive movement
will be begun.
Arrival of Pando.
4 Senator who talked with the mil
itary officials said there was no doubt
of the outcome if the American fleet
could get inside the harbor and thus
place the city between the land and
sea bombardments. The arrival at
Santiago of General Pando with rein
forcements forLinares occasioned some
comment on the course of General
Garcia and his Cuban troops in not
holding Pando back, particularly in
view of the fact that Gen. Lawton's
brigade was cooperating with Garcia,
but it is believed that the latter left
Lawton in an embarrassed position.
AT the same time the disposition of
the authorities was mainly to meet
the situation now presented rather
than to question how it come about.
Large Reinforcements.
In meeting this, the most active
steps toward getting large reinforce
ments to Gen. Shafter were in pro-
gress. Three regiments of Gen. Gar
retsons brigade go from Camp Alger,
one of them, the the Eighth Ohio, un-