Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-05

ton. The authorities mere, mihiary ana
naval, say that Santiago has already
made It's best fight, and that It's occupa-
ton Is only a question Of time, and very
brief time.
SKATER CONFIDENT.
General Skaters strong position was
shown in a series of dispatches. Most con-
vincing Of all as to his feeling of conf
dence and strength, was that In which
General Shafter gives the text Of the de-
mand for the surrender OF the city on
pain Of bombardment This dispatch Is
given elsewhere.-Ed.)
General Skaters other dispatches
breathe the same air Of confidence and
determination as. shown In his demand
on the Spanish commander. The first one
made public during the day stated that
his lines completely surrounded the town.
from the bay on the north 10 San Juan
enveloped by u stretch OF water on one
side and a stretch OF frowning American
guns on the other. In another dispatch
General Shafter epitomized the strength
Of his position by saying:
Il feel that / am master Of the situa-
ton. and / can hold the eEamy for any
length Of time.'
SPANISH STILL CONSIDERING.
In another dispatch General SKATER
states hat his demand for the su,-erdcr
OF Santiago is still being considered by
the Spanish authorities, which indicates
that the refusal of the Spanish COM
mander to capitulate was not final. In
any event. IL O'Clock on Tuesday marks
the limit OF Skaters concession, and II
Santiago has not capitulated at that hour,
great siege-guns, now brought to the front
and in position, backed by the batteries
of lighter feld-pieces, will begin their
work of destruction.
The pressing need Of reinforcing Shafter
is no longer felt. now that the Spanish
feet is out of the way. A considerable
number OF men, however, are already on
the way, and others will follow.
WATSON TO SAIL AT ONCE.
The changed naval situation will bring
no abatement in the activity of the au-
thorities here in carrying the war directly
home to Spain. There is renewed deter
mination to get Commodore Watson's
eastern squadron away at the earliest
moment for the double purpose of striking
a blow at the coast towns of Spain and
of pursuing Admiral Camara's feet, which
has halted at the entrance of the Suez
canal. Secretary Long made the official
statement that the fleet would sail at the
earliest possible moment, and though he
did not go into details as to its purpose.
1t is well understood that 1t will devote
its attention to the Spanish coast and to
Camara. The destruction of the Spanish
fleet at Santiago relieves Admira Samp-
son from surveillance of this squadron,
and he can readily spare the ships in
tended for the attack on the Spanish
coast.
ADMIRAL SAMPSON IN FACT.
It has been Acting-Admiral Sampson
for some time, but that It will be Admiral
Sampson in fact, as well as in name, is
the prevailing feeling in naval circles, as
a result of the victory reported by the
American admirh. Shortly after the war
broke out Captain Sampson was made
d1NiAt6 III III Ia Vitfl btft lhtt a
rank fitting his command. although his
actual naval rank remained as captain.
BY a singular coincidence his rank was
advanced to-day to that of commodore.
owing to the retirement OF Admiral Kirk
land. In the event Of his now being made
an admiral 1t would advance him over
the ten commodores making up the list OF
that grade, and would place him just be-
low that very famous hero of the war,
Admiral Dewey.
EXCHANGE or HOBSON.
1t is. of course. purely conjectural thus
far, but 1t is a conjecture which receives
such common acceptance In naval quar-
ters that it Is most likely to be realized.
The release Of Hobson and the other he
roes of the Merrimac incident is likely to
be another result of the events trans
piring to-day. 1t may now come about
either by the surrender of the city, which
would include the surrender of Hobson
n other American prisoners there, or
else by the exchange Of Hobson for Ad-
miral Cervera. or some other high rank
ing naval official.
FOREIGN HYPERCRITICISM.
The dispatch from the front stating
that there was likely 10 be some criti-
cism because of the treatment OF foreign
military attaches excited much indigna-
ton among the military authorities here.
1t was stated by one of the highest Off
GERS in the service that the foreign gen.
tlemen had received absolutely every
thing In the way of accommodations, sup
plies, r2tions. etc, given to our own Off
GERS and men. What was most surprising
was that this protest should come at a
moment when our men were fighting in
swamp and thicket. under a blazing sun,
with q thousand dead or wounded, and
under the fire of an entrenched enemy.
There is every disposition here TO extend
the most complete courtesy to these gen.
tlemen that is consistent with the cir
cumstances. There is no purpose, how |
ever. 10 recognize them as a superior set,
or to give them greater attention in
mounts. tents, or attendance han our
own officers and men receive.
HOW THEY HEAR TT IN MADRID.
Suotu Jnsf Txyo