The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-07-07

oped situation which. If not broken
by vigorous and successful attack on
may result in causing much
more serious work than has been an
ticipated with the Spanish forces that
have retired from the vicinity of Aver
raderos, on the west, and Baiquiri, on
the east, to join Gen. Linares. The
forces in Santiago and within the forti-
fed defenses of the city now number
11,000-7000 regulars and 1000 volun-
teers. Concerning the latter, the Gu
bans allege that they will not fight
with any heart, but will lay down
their arms. According to Spanish SOL
diers captured and held in the camp
of Gen. Perez, near Guantanamo, half
of the force of men on the Spanish
warships had been landed, with all
the 1apid-fire guns. This would make
total force in the city of 1880 men,
in addition to the protection from
earthworks and forts and the assist
ance of the ships in the harbor.
10 meet this force, or at least to in
wade it's stronghold, the American
commanders now have 1880 men and
1000 Cubans-the latter to prevent. If
possible, flank movements at the ex-
pense of the Americans. Now here IS
thedangerous and most significant fea-
ture of the situations: Marching from
Manzanillo, 100 miles west of Santiapo
and having been on the road for six
days, quite well advanced now in it's
progress, is Gen. Pando, with seven
oattallons, aggregating S,4O0 men. To
oppose him is Gen. Jesus Rabi, with
force of 2,@oo Cubans, lying in wait
II miles from Santiago and on two
roads. Now, of course it would be per-
fectly possible for Gen. Pando to take
his column far to the north and make
junction with the Spanish troops
supposed to be on the way from Hol-
gum, and numbering, it is said. 5000
men. This advance from the north is
being held in check by about 1900 Gu
bcns, under Gen. Castillo, who claims
to hold the passes.
Inc OBJECT OF the Spanish advancing
from Manzanillo, may be to elude Rabi,
and by effecting junction with the
Spanish from the north to form an
army of 17,400 men. AS flank on the
west end of the American army, facing
the city, Gen. Rabi's forces combined
with those of Gen. Castillo would onlv
give a combating force of $500 Gu
bans, and the Cubans do not hesitate
to run before overwhelming numbers.
| Another Menace.
Nor is that all that menaces. Leav-
ing Guantanamo, camp of marines.
and plunging into the wood to the west
the correspondent found a force of
500 Cubans under command of Col.
Perez. This force had variously been
estimated at from 1880 to $500 Gu
bans, but there were certainly not
more than 800, as COL Perez admitted
in the course of conversation. al
though he had distinctly claimed to
have about 1000 men, This force of
900 is supposed to be keeping at bay
5,4OO Spanish troops who are in the
town of Guantanamo. The marines
are near this camp, but to the east OF
it; SO that they could do nothing tc
prevent the Spaniards from moving tc
the west on the flank of the American
army. In other words there are to the
northeast and west of the army of in
vasion thanking forces of Spaniards
comprising over 10000 troops, held al
bay by less than 5000 Cubans whose
fighting qualities are as yet rather
enigmatical.
Cuban Troops Sent Back.
Washington, July Am official dis
patch was received at the war depart
ment confirming the press report tha-
Gen. Shafter had sent back on trans
ports to Aserraderos whence the,
came, 1000 of Garcia's Cubans. The
purpose is double one; first, to pre-
vent reenforcements coming into San
tiago from Manzanillo on the west
and second, to prevent the retreat If
the direction of the Spanish garrison
of the troops.
Bombard Manzanfllo.
New York, July "A CORRESPONDENT
in Santiago de Cuba telegraphs to thu
Journal that four United States war
ships bombarded Manzanillo, on the
Gulf of Guacanaybo, on Thursday in
f1icting much damage to the defense.
of the place. Spanish gunboats, &C
!; cording to this dispatch, opened fire
upon the American ships, which the1
moved out of range.
The same dispatch reports that g
balloon sent up from the American
camp was seen from Santiago on
Thursday In the balloon were two
men, seemingly taking observations oil
the Spanish Notifications about San.
tiago.