Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-16

News from Germany Hard to
Understand in View Of Official
Information.
Washington, June 15.-Like the re-
lief Of the beleagured Lucknow, came
the welcome news to the Navy Depart
ment this afternoon that the little band
Of American marines who had planted
the flag on Crest Hill and were defend
ing it night and day against heavy odds,
were not only safe, but were strongly
reinforced by 1,500 Cubans from the
were now strong enough to more than
hold their own. 1t was disclosed in a
dispatch from Admiral Sampson and
brought much relief TO naval officials.
The early reports had indicated that the
marines were surrounded, and 1t was
feared that they might be compelled to
return to the ships before General
Skaters invading army reached there
Friday. The coming Of the Cuban
forces seem to have been in the nick of
time, and naval officials give the fullest
credit to the timeliness of this Cuban
cooperation. The admiral's dispatch
stated the condition of the marines was
"tnirely satisfactory which assurance,
although brief, was enough to relieve
officials here of the fears they had enter
tanned But probably the most signifi-
cant feature of the admiral's dispatch
was the statement that the Cuban gen
eral, Rabbi, had occupied Acerraderos,
only eight miles from Santiago, ard
practically suburb Of that Spanish
stronghold. 1t was the execution Of a
plan arranged in Washington some
weeks ago, when two Of the staff officers
of General Garcia came here to confer
with General Miles. AT that Garcia anu
Rabbi were at Bayamo, in the western
part of Santiago province, and more
than 100 miles northwest Of Santiago
de Cuba. Admiral SIMPSONS dispatch
showed that Rabbi and his force has
made complete circuit of Santiago de
Cuba and coming up 10 the south of it,
has occupied Acerraderos. This is look
ed upon as fine military stroke, for
Acerraderos is the port where iron
wharves will afford facilities for I'M
loading the heavy artillery carried by
General Skaters invading expedition.
The news also indicated to the authori-
ties here that the Spanish garrison at
Santiago had practically retreated in
side the city proper, giving up the out
lying towns. Admiral Sampson also
states that General Garcia is co-operat-
ing with the American forces Whe-
Their this means Garcia himself has ar
rived from Bayamo is not quite clear,
but if he has, the JOINT forces Of Garcia
and Rabbi will make 5000 to 5000 sea-
sOned Cubans, recently armed with
Spring fields, as a bushwhacking guer-
rilla force to aid the American troops.
From sources other than the dispatch
Of Admiral Sampson, the Navy Depart
ment has been informed that five humid
red Cubans were rendering efficient aid
to the marines at Crest Hill. Now that
Rabbi and Garcia are on the scene this
SEQ will be swelled to thousands.
The news of the routing and severe
losses of the Spanish guerillas and the
capture of their water supply by the
marines and Cubans had not been re
ceived UP to the cl0se Of the depart
ment, but it is felt here that it will
make the SDaniards very cautious and
enable our forces to get much needed
rest.
In making this march Rabbi has
crossed the line Of communication be-
tween the Spanish commander, Gen
Pando, at Holguin, and the Spanish
forces at Santiago de Cuba. This fact
makes it clear that Santiago is not
likely to get reinforcements from Gen.
Pando. II circling around Santiago
to reach Acerraderos, Rabbi, it is be-
lieved here, has also established it as
fact that the lines of communication
and relief to Santiago are interrupted
and practically cut off in all direc-
items
A disagreeable impression has been
created among officials here by the re
fusal of the Spanish authorities to
carry out their early offers for the ex-
change of Hobson and his associates
The good faith of the first offers are
now being questioned and the impress
sion is growing that the Spanish ar
indirectly endeavoring 10 hold Hobson
as a valuable prisoner. Secretary Al
ger this afternoon denied positively
chat the government was considering
lie advisability of making another call
for volunteer troops.
The constant reports TIA Germany
is on the eve of making a serio u issue
in the Philippines are unacountahle to
officials here, who have the most di-
rect positive information that Ger
many has Dpyar paOtcran1atcd u,Iob n