The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-06
WILL ATTACK
BY LAND AND SEA
Believed that Sampson Will
Enter the Bay.
MEHX 0C NuAklkEl 0pE nj
NECK OF CHANNEL OPEN
NO DIFFICULTY EXCEPT FROM
BATTERIES AND MINES.
THE SPANISH DELUSl0NS DlsPElltD
Watson Starts for Spanish Coast at Earliest
Possible Moment Commodore Schley's
Gaantry--Hcw News Of cevera's
Capture was Recived by Army.

Capture was Received by Army.
Washington, d. c., July 5.-As re-
suit of the Cabinet meeting to-day in
structons were sent by the President
to Admiral Sampson and General Shat
ter to confer together concerning q
joint plan of attack upon Santiago.
Upon the outcome of this conference de
pends the line of action for the imme-
date future. For the present, the land
bombardment by General Shafter's $
forces has been deferred, as the situa-
annihilation of the Spanish fleet that
it is manifestly the part of wisdom
for this land bombardment to await
the cooperation and support of bonn
bardment from Admiral SIMPSONS fleet.
Up to the close of office hours to-day
no word had come either to the War
or Navy Department so war as was
disclosed, as to what determination had
been reached ut the conference. AT
the same time it is the expectation OF
the authorities here that the conference
will result in determination by the
admiral to take his fleet through the
narrow channel of the harbor, make
his way past the shore batteries, and
Notifications and take position before
the city for a bombardment. There is
reason to believe that the instructions
sent to Admiral Sampson at least, con-
vey the desire if not the instructions
that he enter the harbor. But it is
said that the admiral and the general
continue to be the supreme officials
in authority and that being on the
scene. fully alive to all the conditions,
their Judgment will be taken as final
in the course to be adopted.
There is said to be no obstacle. 50
far as navigation is concerned. to the
entrance into the harbor of the AmerI~
can fleet. The Cristobal Colon. which
cleared the Merrmac and got out of the
harbOr Sunday, drew 23 feet inches,
which is within seven inches of the
draft of the battleships Iowa. Indiana.
Massachusetts and Oregon, and is great
or than the draft of the battleship Texas.
Moreover the Navy Department has
known for the last ten days that the
neck Of the channel was open. despite
the sinking of the Merrimac. and that
there was clear sea way of seven
fathoms. through which any ship in our
navy could sail. This removes all diff
ficulty. except from submarine mines.
or from the shore batteries. As to the
mines. little account is taken of them
since the Spanish fleet passed over them.
The Spaniards are in the habit of using
contact mines, so that there is little
likelihood of there being mines operated
hy electric connection with shore. The
forts and batteries have been badly
weakened by the constant fire Of the
feet for many weeks past. and while
still factor. they are greatly disabled.
Once M to the city. the feet and army
could combine in a terrific double fire.
No less than 292 heavy guns would be
trained from the American warships on
the city and at the same time. the big
siege guns which it is expected have
been brought to the front of Shafter's
line would rain down torrent from
that quarter. The siege guns throw
shells Of 135 pounds. Aside from them
are four Morton hOwitZers and large
number Of small howitzers. These are
in the heavy artillery. while the light
artillery embraces q great number of
guns of 80 caliber Combined. this fire
from land and sea would be terrifice in
effect
The action of the foreign representa-
tiyes at Santiago has been an additional
reason for deferring the bombardment.
1t was made known late to-day that one
Of General Shafter's dispatches stated
that these representatives had joined in
n request to him to put off the shelling
of the city for another brief period. until
their respective colonies could be re-
moved. This accounts for the departure
of foreign warships from the Santiago
harbor as they are bearing away the
foreign residents before the lombard
ment begins. The activity of the con-
snls at Santiago has led TO no diplo-
matte complications thus far. and the
authorities here feel that nothing Of that
nature will develop.
The State Department to-day took oc-
casiOn to dispel some Of the Spanish de-
lnsions over the escape of Admiral Ger
vera's fleet. 1t seems that Madrid. is
not alone in the belief that the feet
made handsome sortie from Santiago
and left the American ships far in
the rear. To-day n cablegram came
from United States Minister Lunis. at
Caracas, saying the Spanish residents
there were gloying i'm the Spanish
naval victory. The minister was in
formed briefly that Cervera's fleet had
been destroyed. the admiral made prison
or and that General Shafter had de-
manded the surrender Of the city
The definite official report reaching
here to-day that the Spanish feet had