Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-02
NO GUNS HEARD AT THE MOLE.
War ONCE at Washington. However, |
Looking for Big News at Any Time.


Looking for Big News at Any Time.
Madrid, July IA rumor was in
circulation here last night, though un-
confirmed, that there had been a great
battle at Santiago de Cuba, resulting in
favor of the Spanards.
The governor general Of Porto Rico
cables that the cargo Of provisions and
war material of the Antonio Lopez has
been landed.
Washington, July 1.-General A. w.
Greeley, chief signal officer, last night
received a dispatch from Lieutenant
Colonel Allen. chief signal corps officer
in Cuba, announcing that telegraph
and telephone station had been estab-
lished at point within two miles of the
city of Santiago.
Playa del Este, Cuba, July 1.-[Copy-
right, 1898, by Associated Press. Inter
cepted dispatches from Admiral Cervera
show a critical state of affairs at San
tiago. Both food and ammunition are
reported to be getting very short and
the latter will be exhausted soon.
Washington, July 1.-The situation at
the close of yesterday was described by
Secretary Alger as being such as to
warrant him in entertaining the expec-
tation Of important news at any mo-
ment. There were two parties to bat
tie, and it might be precipitated by eth
er side, and no one here knew what the
Spanish disposition was. Nor is much
more known respecting General Shaf-
ter's plan of attack, although in his
messages Of Wednesday he indicated
a purpose to move early on the enemy,
as shown by his declaration that REIN
forcements could not reach him before
he offered battle. Direct telegraph COM
munication now exists between Wash
ington and General Skaters headquar-
ters at Siboney. Heretofore all mes
cages from the general have been de-
layed twenty-four hours, owing to the
necessity of sending them across rough
country to reach the cable station.
No News Came from Shafter.
No telegram came to the war depart
ment yesterday from General Shafter
and the understanding here is that he is
employing his time to the best ad-
vantage in moving his artillery and
making all ready for the final assault
upon Santiago. 1t is not known how
far ;el, ai,,fO
Pando have advanced since Wednesday.
but General Shafter has full knowledge
Of their movements, and it is believed
Is not likely to delay his attack until
they have strengthened the garrisons
at Santiago by uniting with Linares.
The second expedition from Tampa to
reinforce Shafter appears to have en-
countered almost as many difficulties
as the original expedition in getting
away. 1t was confidently expected here
that the start would be made from
Tampa last Monday, but one difficulty
after another arose to retard the move
ments, so that it was with a feeling of
relief that the news came to the de-
partment from Tampa tilat the eXpedi-
ton did actually leave Tampa some time
Keeping Tab on Camara's Fleet.
It was announced at the navy depart
ment yesterday afternoon that the
Spanish Cadiz squadron had paid the
heavy SueZ canal tolls and was about
proceeding eastward through the canal,
though this statement was probably er-
roneous in view of the later reports to
the press indicating that the Spanish
vessels were stopping for repairs. The
advices only FASTENED the preparations
| making for the departure of Commo-
| dore Watson's eastern squadron. The
| commodore has reported to the navy
| department his arrival off Santiago, and
| is in consultation with Admiral Samp-
son respecting the details of the cruise
which it is expected will occupy fully
| four months, provided the war endures
| that length of time. The delays to
which the Spaniards are subject at Port
Said will rebound very greatly to the
advantage of Admiral Dewey-if Cana
| ra is still in reality bound for the Phil
| ippines-for they ensure the arrival OF
| almost the whole of General Merritt's
military force and almost certainly OF
the cruiser Charleston and the monitors
Monterey and Modadnock before the
Spanish squadron could reach Manila
harbor.
Camp Tanner Filling Up Again.
Springfield, Ills, July There are
nearly LOO men in camp here. Ths
Ninth regiment OF Illinois volunteers
commanded by Colonel James r. Camp
bell, has arrived. The men all came
from the southern part Of the state anC
are a fine. able bodied set of fellows
None of them, however, has ever haC
any military experience and while the!
are anxious to do their duty their at
tempts are ludierous One man on guarC
was seen carrying his gun under hi
arm and both hands in his pocket like
quail shooter. Another wanted to leav
his gun with a civilian while he wake,
quarter Of mile for a drink o
water. Lieutenant Rollac Pierson wa
detailed on special duty and will be il
charge Of the distribution Of the mail.
Iowa Batteries in Camp.
Des Moines, Ia, July 1-Iowa's ligh
batteries apportioned under the secon
call arrived here last evening from Ce
dar Rapids and Burlington, where pro
yisional organizations were accented