The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-12

SAMPSON HAS NOT YET MADE A
REPORT.
Washington, July li.-General shaft
ers report from Siboney. sent just be-
fore midnight last night. caused Of
ficials of the war department to wait
all day today with the expectation OF
hearing that the bombardment Of San.
tiago had begun. No word to that ef-
feet came, however, up to the time the
department closed, and though there
is little reason to doubt that the gem
eral carried out the programme, OF
which he had notified the department,
1t was regarded as possible that he
had consented to a further extension
under the flag of truce in view of GER
tain signs of weakening on the part of
the Spanish commander 1t is sup
posed here that General Miles. with
additional reinforcements on the Yale,
will arrive at Sboney tonight or to-
morrow morning, and il surrender has
not been secured by that time it is be-
leved that the assault upon the town
proper will be prosecuted at once with
the greatest energy and determination.
The tests made recently of the naval
bGuidlltt gave very ENTHUSIASTICALLY re"
suits. when it was attempted to pro-
ject shells over the high hills from the
open sea into Santiago City. Possibly
better results may be attained tomor-
row if the attack is resumed then, but
there is more likelihood that the main
reliance will be upon such of the light
er draught vessels Of Admiral Samp-
sons fleet as-may succeed in getting
position than the heavy battleships.
The officials here are satisfied that
what appears to be delay on the part
of General Shafter was really caused
by his efforts to carry out strictly the
presidents injunction to prevent the
Spanish army from escaping from San
tiago.
CUTTING OFF RETREAT.
He might have attacked the town
several days ago with the result that
II the Spaniards were overcome they
would have retreated without obstruC.
ton to the northwest beyond the reach
of our soldiers to follow His dispatch
written late last night indicates clearly
that he has been trying to complete
his line of investment so as to pre-
vent such an escape and as he appears
to feel satisfied that he has accom-
plished this. the final assault. will not
be delayed much longer.
General Shafter is disposed to save
every life possible in the war: prob
ably having in mind the particularly
large proportion of killed, wounded
ana missing compared to the total
strength of his army in the hattle of
Caney which the official figures pro-
mulgated today shows was exceptional
in modern warfare. 1t is to save our
troops that he desires to make a free
use of artillery before the assault
proper begins and also To secure the
cooperation of the navy in the attack
FATALITIES.
The little artillery duel of YESTERDAY V
appears to have been more serious in
its results than was at first suspected
by General Shdfter himself for during
the afternoon he was obliged to report
As one result the death of Captain
Charles w. Revwell. Second infantry.
one of the most gallant and popular
oficSrs of the regular establishment.
Captain Reywel was born in New
York and appointed to the military ac-
ademy in 1870. He became 4 second
lieutenant in 1874, first lieutenant in
1881 and was placed in command of
the company which he led to his death,
in 1896 His death caused deep grief
among the officers Of the department
who respected him for his soldierly
qualities as manifested in his hard SER
vice in the west.
The cable communication between
Washington and General Shafter $
headquarters has now been gotten into
excellent condition so that it has been
possible to receive at the department :,
message within twenty minutes after
II has been despatched by General
Shafter. Colonel Allen, who is in charge
at General Skaters end of the line
reported to the department that he is
NOW engaged in laying a cable from
Guantanamo to Playa del Esta, which
will StIll further reduce the time re-
quhed for the exchange of commur'-
cations.
NO REPORT FROM SAMPSON.
The appearance at the navy depart
mrrt this morning at an early hour of
Ensign Palmer. one of the officers OF
the st. Louis. which arrived at Ports
mouth yesterday, led the officials to be.
lieye that he had brought with him
the reports of the American naval crm.
manders upon the battle which result,
ed in the destruction of Cervera'.
squadron. 1t turned out, however, that
the st. Louis had started from SiboneS
before the official reports on that en-,
gagemcnt had been prepared.
EXSecretary Herbert had quite
conference with Secretary Long thi,
afternoon upon the subject of fire.
proof wood for naval construction. II,
brought with him a formidable array
of facts gathered from the newspaper
reports Of the naval battle to show
that fire was the element that worked
the greatest destruction among the
vessels Of the Spanish squadron anC
that wherever American vessels hat
been hit. even I'm the case of the tin,
torpedo boat they had escaped sucl
fires because all of their woodwork
was iireproof So impressed was Sec
netary Long with the statement tina
Fesrhas concluded 10 reconvene
abecial board which was appointe,
some time ago to deal with this mat
ter and which had recommended tina
the use OF the prepared wood be cur
tailed in some measure in American
warship building.
SPANISH SPITE.
Naval officials say that a serious ir
regularity occurred at the time tn
ships of Admiral Cervera's fleet haule
down their colors and surrendered, In
quirles have brought out the fact ths
the breech blocks of the guns wer
thrown overheard. thus disabling tn
guns and making them PRACTICAL