The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-22
INVADING FORCE BEFORE SANTIAGO
Troops SO Long Expected have Arrived LasT Of Debak
alton not Yet Set, but Will Probably Take Place With
in Two Three Days.

posed landing places was also laid be
fore the army officers, but General
Shafter is not prepared to announce
Il definite selection without investiga-
ting the matter further himself.
General Garcia gave the Americans
assurances that they need have no fear
Of contracting diseases on the Southeast
ern coast of Cuba MS the climate there
is not unhealthy. only extremely hot Mt
this season of the year. The Cuban
general declared that his own troops Ill
fed and clothed as they were, We're in
good health, and therefore, the Ameri-
cans need not fear fevers or other seri-
Gus ailments
General Shafter examined the condi-
tion of the Cuban soldiers during his
visit and was impressed with their hardy
and soldierly bearing, though he recog-
niZed the fact that they need clothes
and provisions, both OF which were
given them during the day.
The interview closed with the under
standing on the part Of both Generals
that small bodies of troops are to he
landed at once ut several points along
the coast. where they will be safe from
amy serious attack by the Spanards and
will be able to keep the enemy in doubt
for the present, rs to their ultimate in-
tentions.
Among the troops that will be landed
first are n number of men from the
engineer corps. who will begin work ut
once preparing for the movement Of the
main body.
Generals Shafter and Garcia viii con-
suit further tomorrow.
A GREAT ARRAY OF VESSELS.
II was nearly dark before the officers
returned to the Seguranca. and then
she steamed back to the flagship and took
up a position for the night
Before nightfall, all the other trans
ports and the conveying warships had
drifted nearer to the shore and the
Spanish soldiers. watching from \the
bluffs on both sides, Of the entrance
OF Santiago harbor must have been
impressed by the great array Of vessels
standing off shore. There were nearly
sixty Of them, including the tr0opsEsps
and the men-of-war, comprising Rear
Admiral Simpsons fleet and the squad
ron of Commodore Schley.
The 5000 Spanish soldiers and per-
haps 1000 Spanish sailors guarding the
city and harbor Of Santiago dc Cuba.
doubtless concluded that there was hut
a small chance Of overcoming the force
of American warships and some 20
900 American soldiers and sailors. which
will be hurled against them before the
present week is over.
The dispatch boat Of the Associated
Press left the fleet for the cable station
just at nightfall, when the warships
had taken their positions in a semi-circle
in front Of the harhor entrance, with
the troopships further out. The sea was
comparatively smooth for the first time
in several weeks and the great fleet Vas
almost motionless.
The newspaper dispatch boats, which
had been steaming back and forth among
the transports since the arrival Of the
latter, were held up at every stage OF
their passage with requests to take let
ters to the nearest mailing point. giving
accounts of the voyage and announcing
the safe arrival of the army off the
enemy's coast For some it might be
the last word for mother. wife or sweet
heart at home from him who had an
swered the call Of his country.
According TO the naval regulations cs.
tablished at the outbreak Of the war,
not Il light was visible on any of the
ships and the the Gordon Of the men-of-
war lying under the Spanish guns at
MORO Castle kept their vigil with more
than usual care during the dark hours of
the night to guard against the approach
Of a destroying torpedo boat, which
might attempt to run out Of the har-
bor and with one well directed shot sink
a troopship in the depths Of the sea
and send the souls of those aboard into
the realms Of eternity.