The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-06-04
LAND ATTACK ON SANTIAGO
ORDERS TO GENERAL MILES.
Cervern Between Two Fires-From
the Hills Big Siege Guns VIII
Pour Deadly Rain Upon His Yes
seIs-Arms and Ammunition Land
ed for the Cuban Insurgents.

New York, May 3l.-A special to the
Tribune from Washington says:
General Miles made no secret before
leaving Washington of the immediate de-
parture of the army for Tampa, though
he declined to encourage any speculation
as to its destination for obvious military
reasons. 1t is known, however, that ever
since the first reports announcing the ar
rival of the Spanish squadron at Santiago
last Saturday night he has been thorough
ly live to the practically prohibitive dam
ger which would have to be encountered
by an American fleet in lighting its way
past the elevated batteries and up the
narrow and tortuous channel of that har-
Dor to force a battle with the Spaniards
and has steadily urged upon the authori-
ties the necessity of land attack on the
place as the quickest and most effective
method of dealing Spain crushing blow
His plans have been fully matured with
that end in view and the only question on
which the departure of the army from
Tampa rested was that of Cervera' 5 indis-
putable presence at Santiago with an
American fleet outside OF sufficient power
to prevent his egress and to destroy him
if he attempted to reach the open sea.
In the transports at Tampa, in addition
to the large quantities of supplies needed
by the army, whatever its destination,
have been stored a number of powerful
siege guns, which will be effective for
Smelling the entire basin in which the har-
Dor and the city of Santiago lie when
mounted on high positions among the sur
rounding hills.
sst"s SchIey May Not Walt.
I There is believed to be only a single
contingency which could operate to mod
fly General Miles plans for the land at
tack on Santiago, and that may not de
velop until the fleet of transports under
the convoy of Admiral Simpsons squad
ron arrives off Cape Maisi in the Wind
ward passage, 600 miles from Key West
and scarcely half days run from the
proposed landing place on the coast neal
Santiago.
There is the possibility that Commodore
Schley is impatient over the delay in get
ting at the Spaniards and in the absence
of accurate knowledge that military rein
forcements are at hand may, on drawing
the fire of batteries, ascertain that Their
formidability has been greatly exaggerat
ed and determine to force his way int
the harbor and complete the work withou
assistance. Should this occur, the fleet o
transports and warships arriving in tn,
Wmdward passage will quickly secure tn,
news from the scout ships and the alter
native destination of Puerto Rico would
at once be known.
Army in Readiness.
The promptness with which the depart
ure of the army from Tampa has beer
affected after the last doubt of Cervera'
presence at Santiago was removed, viii
perhaps not be known for several days
although confidence is expressed that tn
celebrity of the movement will prove re
markable annals In fact, it is intimatet
in high official quarters that several of tn
transports have already reached the rem
devious at Key West, if indeed, the en-
tire fleet is not already on the way.
At Key West an effective addition t.
the landing force has been provided il
the marine corps battalion on the trans
port Panther This force is composed O
trained men, especially drilled to land I'm
der fire, and it is expected to be the frs
force ashore wherever the attack is made
General Miles counts on the active SUP
port of the insurgent general, Garcia, VIII
4 n i 4
whom carriers have already been sent
informing him of the intent of the gov
eminent to invest Santiago should an OF
Grafton be necessary to destroy Cervera
fleet.
Generals Colvalez and Hernandez q
Garcia's staff, who accompanied Lieuter
ant Rowan by way of the Bahamas t
Washington, have been constantly cor
: suited by General Miles for three or fou
days, giving him information regardin
Santiago province, and they will accom-
pany the expedition from Tampa and &C
as guides for the army after the landing
effected.
Miles Goes In Person.
General Miles dispelled all doubts as
his own active part in the expedition b
/ announcing that he would be able TO en-
J bark at Tampa on Wednesday on one {
the fastest small cruisers, which will tax
him quickly to the scene of operation
| The force will not exceed $4,000, of whic
/ it is expected over 5000 will take part i
) the siege, the Others being held in resery
2 for use if extraordinary resistance is ell
countered.
The outlook, however, is for quick an