The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-20
TO APPLY IHE TORCH.
PEOPLE to Fire CaImdnGTa and
Then Take Flight.
STRAW And OIL STREWN.
GunbOat in HarhOr Also to Be Given
Over to Flames.

PoDuIacc Starving and Panic strick-
an-No Reliance Placed in the
Suanish soIdiery and Triumph of
the Americans COnceded-Cap-
tives Report Spanish Soldiers on
the Point of Surrender-General
Attack on the American Marines
at Guantanamo by a Force of $500
spaniards Expected.
Copvright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
ON Board the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Dandy, Off Guantanamo, Saturday,
June Is. D. M, via Kingston, Jamaica,
Sunday. June 10, $3.50 a. m.-Cuban scouts
report to-day that the inhabitants of Cal
manera have strewn the streets with
straw and oil, with the intention of de-
stroying the city and fleeing to the hills.
Caimanera lies four miles up the bay
from Camp McCalla, under the guns of the
American ships, and the situation is des-
perate.
Starving and panic stricken, convinced
of the ultimate triumph of the American
arms. and without faith in the protection
of the Spanish soldiery. the people are be-
ueved 10 have determined to leave their
houses In ashes behind them and seek
safety in the mountains on the north.
The scouts declare that the story is ac-
curate and say that every building in the
town is being rapidly prepared for the
torch
The situation of the besieged is fear
full one. The people are eating horses
and mules, and are securing the hills for
fruits and herbs.
Occasionally brief bombardments by the
American fleet leave the helpless citizens
terror-stricken, no preparations for de-
fense being made.
1t is also stated that the Spanish gun
boat at Caimanera has been loaded with
inaamma bles and will be burned with the
city, her commander declaring that she
will never become an American prize.
The scouts also say that the Spanish
soldiers are in almost as complete state
of panic as are the civilians and that
they could easily be induced to surrender.
Some of the prisoners taken by the ma
rines also say they believe the Spanish
troops are on the verge of surrender, ow-
ing to the lack Of food.
Capt McCalla of the cruiser Marble
head and Lieut. Col. Huntington, in COM
mand of the marines, are not so sure,
however, of the reported Spanish rout.
They received information yesterday
that a general attack for force of $500
Spanish soldiers and guerillas on Camp
McCalla is contemplated within a night
or two.
Every preparation was made last night
for an expected assault. When the Asso-
ciated Press dispatch boat Dandy arrived
in Guantanamo narbor, at O'Clock, the
hills about the marine camp were bril-
liant under the shifting rays of the search
lights of the Marbchead Dolphin ana
Scorpion, and the marines were lying in
the rifle pits, at the guns, ready and anx-
ious for battle but the night passed with
out the firing of shot.
The same watchful care was exercised
to-day as Capt McCaIa is convinced that
an attack is likely to occur at any mo-
Inent.
The Iowa Joined the feet here this
morning, and, later, the admiral came over
on the flagship TO inspect the forthcatons
ard confer with Capt. McCana and Lieut..
Col. Huntington.
The coast in the vicinity of Guantanamo
is dotted with the bright-hued Cuban flag.
Numerous camps of the insurgents,
which have been established along the
beach between Santiago and this place are
used Dy the admiral as means of COM
/ munication with the Cubans in the inte-
rior.
The aid which these men have given
has proved highly valuable to the Ameri-
cans.
Their stories Of the destlution and re-
volt among the Spanish soldiers in this
vicinity have been corroborated by inter-
views with prisoners captured around the
camp.
Gen Perrejo, who is in command Of the
Spanish forces here. is Undoubtedly in
bad way in regard TO obtaining food for
his men.
The prisoners who have been captured
appear to have been Ill fed and are appar-
entity Indifferent to their fate.
Another body of five Spaniards was can
tured yesterday by Ensign A. A. Pratt Of
the Marbiehead.
While cruising in a steam launch outside
the bay he picked up a nfty-foot sloop con-
tanning Spanish captain Of the name of
Torres and four sailors.
They said they were on their wav TO
Guantanamo to get a supply Of oil for the
lighthouse at Cape Maysi, but papers
found on the sloop proved that they had
been sent to obtain information relative TO
the American forces.
The crew OF the sloop asserted that thev
had been I'll fed and frightfully i'll treat