The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-06-13

All doubt has been cleared away re-
Garding the report that the American
flag floats over a fertilization in Cuba,
and that our marines have gained
foothold on Cuban soil. by the official
notification from Admiral Sampson to
the government, confirming the press
reports published Saturday. As the
"heroic" Spanlards manning the fort!fi-
cations in the harbor of Guantanamo
fled like sheep before the fire Of the
three American vessels, while the regi-
ment OF marines were landing, there is
no battle to chronicle. Not an Ameri.
D can life was lost, and the capture OF
the vantage point Is of great Importance
in View of the plan OF campaign as It
is supposed to be arranged.
It Is reported that Admiral Sampson
\ has now an admirable base of eupplies
on. the southern Cuban coast. and COM
! mands magnificent harbor. in which
/ his ships can be coaled without diff
+ Guilty, and where troops can be landed
without resistance" A further advan-
tage is that a coal station can and
doubtless will oe established which will
give the naval fleet and the troops 10
: be landed on the southern coast direct
communication by telegraph with
Washington. This advantage Will be I'M
( portant, since l. Will relieve the strain
Of long delays that nigh. Otherwise oc-
cur in hearing from naval and military
operations in that portion OF Cuba,
which will be, the principal sea. of war
! for the time Being, and until the base Of
operadons!s extended TO Havana.
In connection with this news Is the
report through Spanish sources that
/ several thousand troops of the Fifth
J, army corps, under General shattcr ar.
4 rived of Santiago. Joining Admiral
4 sampecn's feet The report Is from
4 Havana, and It g said to have come
TIC General Blanco. direct from Santiago.
! II 1t was true on Saturday there Is lit
tie Goubt, IL the information received
previously from Admiral Sampson is au-
Z thentic, that the troops have already
I been lnndcd. II seems that the opera
tlons on the southeastern coast Of Cuba
4 have indeed begun In earnest and that
7 The way Is paved for the possession OF
! the island completely BY the United
States within a short time.
IS II Is not to be supposed, however, that
! the remainder OF the campaign in con-,
nection with military operations is to
be SO easy as have been the trlumphs OF
the naval fleets, which, In the. absence
OF sepn.sh war. fleets to, fight, have been
I called upon to dcmollsh land batteries
and Qualifications. It must not be for
gotten that Spain has anearmy in Cuba,
Though reduced somewhat by hunger
/ and eiEcase and other hardships, II Is
4 gtill a seauoncd army, composed Of
4 fighting mon, we'll armed and with the
!. courage that comes Of desperation
The taat before our army. while there
Y IS no doubt ofiils ability to accomplish
Sit,5 Will not be a bloodless one. Unless
4 conditions n1o such that the Spanish
troops will be carly forced 70 surrender.
4 tiiorc Will be Nshting and plenty oft.
But the American troops will BIO in con.
4 junction with lhe insurgcnt forces, and
the later, encouraged by their allies and
3 better armed and fed than in the past,
Will prove most Important factor. To.
y apply tho expression made use Of in a
Hayana dispatch, |" Hot ncwsmay DO ,ex-i