The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-06
LONDON. June s.-The Madrid CORE

LONDON. June s.--The Madrid CORE
spondent Of the Standard says:
An a0ount received from Santiago of
defensive preparations denotes that the
sharp outlook day and night fer any
movements by the Americans continues.
Detachmeats Of 1000 regulars and 5.11S vol
unteers, composing the garrison at Sanfi-
ago under Gen. Iinares. have been sent
10 the Mcrr0 and Punta GoTda batteries.
Both works have been greatly strength
ened ana are provided with krupp and
Houtoria guns. while La Socapa is armed
with guns taken from the Rsina Mercedes.
At the time OF attack by the Ameri-
cans the LIS Socapa guns Were served by
sailors from the ship. whHe she was
anchored ia a position - sweep the en-
trance to she harbo-.
The Spanish staff had connected with
the shore works several lines OF sub
marine torpedces. The torpedo boat de-
stroyers PIaton and Terror fFuroFl with
steam up. were on the watch. several
steam launches had been detailed as
scouts In the navigable channel and out
side the entrance OF the bay. and the
Almirante Oquendo and CrstobI Colon
We're ready TO support the forts the for
mer flying the pennant OF the admiral
Between and o'clock in the morning
the scouts noticed two vessels rapidly adj
yancing toward the mouth of the chan
mel. The fort about the sama time opened
UP. just as the Merrimac was we'll inside
the passage. The Spanish officers, having
allowed her TO pass the first submarine
mine defense unmolesled. gave the signal
to the land batteries. and the submarine
battery at La Socapa and the destroyers
and launches 10 fire on the Merr.mac,
which was sunk. without completely
blocking the channel. just as Admiral Ger
vera appeared on the scene with the AL
rv.sr
saved the Americans. Meanwhile the
other American vessel, supposed to be the
battlesh.p Iowa, hastily retired. The
Spaniards suffered no loss and no ma
tsr.al damage. The impression in naval
circles at Madrid Is that the Americans
merely wanted to sink the Merrimac in
a narrow part Of the channel in order to
block the egress OF the Spanish fleet, but
IL is argued that the wreck can be easily
dynamiied as soon as Admira! Cervera
considers IL unnecessary TO keep II there
as a check TO any attempt of the Ameri
cans to force the channel.
The Affair il said 10 have caused much
enthusasn at Santiago. where several
thousand regulars under Gen. Luce are ex
pected. having succeeded In crossing the
river cauto at the beginning of the week.
They are now advancing by forced
marches In spite of the rains.
On the whole, a tough resist1nCe Will
be made in case, as Is fully expected. the
Americans renew the attack.
When the result OF tho Merrimac affair
was known In Madrid the money market
became animated while in political and
financial circles curiously conflicting i'm
pressions prevailed. some faneying that
the suggestive failures of the Americans
might have tho result of making the
United States favorable 10 peace. Finan-
ciers. on the other hand. are divided be-
tween patriotic satisfaction and the feel
ing that the drift OF the war means its
proiongation and pecun.ary sacrifices Diet
rimental 10 the Spanish crAiit Most of
the newspapers attach Importance 10 thu
affair. since IL WAS shown that the Span
ish forces are not only alert. but we'll able
10 hold the enemy In check.