The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-24

Washington. June 23.-Secretary AL
ger and General Miles were in confer
ence in the secretary's Office at 4 o'clock
to-day, when the first Madrid bulletin
announcing that fighting had begun
was shown to them. The secretary
read 1t aloud with evident satisfac-
ton. and both of them expressed them
selves gratified with the favorable re-
port, coming. as IL did. from the enc
my. There was no surprise that the
fighting had been started so soon. 1t
was suggested that the troops had fin
ished their landing only this morning.
Yes. but they have gone there to
fight. and are ready to begin IL at
once" replied General Miles. Secre-
tary Alger said that no word had been
received up to that hour indicating that
fighting was in progress. He had no
reason to doubt, however, that cur
troops had encountered the Spanish
troops and had given a good account
of themselves. He commented on Ad-
miral Cervera's cable that the situation
was critical" and that the Spaniards
had been obliged to retire as in strange
contrast with Madrid's claim of
Spanish victory"
General Miles said the American
troops would now push forward aggres-
sively. driving In. the Spanish and fore
ing them TO fight. There was not a
suggestion OF apprehension or doubt
either with Secretary A1ger or Cen
eraI Miles, as to what the outcome
would be. They had made their plans
well. and they were confident that Cen
eral Shafter and his troops would be
hammering at the gates of Santiago be-
fore long.
The impression here Is that the
Spaniards will make their strongest
IL ax.fA nd mr.
harbor. within the range and proiec-
tior of the guns of the big Spanish
warships lying there. There Is no doubt
that until these ships are removed from
the field of operations the campaign
against Santiago will be conducted
against odds.
The guns of the ships command the
hills over which our soldiers mus.
come to attack the town and reach the
bay. but we will soon bring our own
artillery into play. The naval officials
here believe that when the time comes
for an attack by land upon the town
Sampson will force his way into the
harbor and take part In the engage
ment. They are satisfied that the
wreck of the Merrimac does not coni-
pletely block the channel. and say that
IL Sampson does not come in the Soan-
ish fleet is likely TO make n desperate
effort TO get out. The mines are - lie
considered in such case, but IL ia
believed that once Morro Castle is
taken by the combined attack ~ the
soldiers and fleet these distractions can
be easily removed with the experience
gained in Guantanamo bay.
The only positive news coming 10 the
war department up to the close Of Of
fee hours was a dispatch To General
Miles from one of his STAFF officials
with General Shafter, and also orief
dispatch to General Greeley from Lieu
tenant Colonel Allen. General Miles
dispatch stated in substance that the
landing of troops had been competed
without any casualties, save one cuhan
soldier had his arm injured by the
bursting of a she'll The troops of Car
ella and Rabi, about 100 in num5e-'.
had met the American forces with en-
thusiastic greeting. Stress was laid
upon the point that the Cubans were
well armed and disciplined.
General Garcia was confident that his
forces would be swelled to 10000 men
as soon as Santiago fell. About the only
need among the Cubans was shoes and
auinine The dispatch to General
Greeley merely stated that progress was
being made in connecting the military
forces directly with the war department.
During the day orders were issued to
the entire division comprising the newly
created command
Guy v. Henry for the speedy departure
to reinforce General Shafter at San
tiago. Already the 33d Michigan regf-
ment and one battalion of the Saith have
started on this mission. To-day's orders
cover the balance OF General Henry's
command. IL includes the remaining
battalions OF the Saith Michigan and 9Th
Massachusetts regiments. These will
complete General Duffields command.
The Sd Virginia. which belongs to this
brigade. will not go. as its equipment is
incomplete. The orders also cover the
entire brigade of Grigadier General Gar
retson. which includes the 6th Illinois.
6th Massachusetts, and sth and 9th Ohio
regiments. The plan is to move all of
General Henry's division on the Harvard
and Yale. these ships TO make two round
trips. The first trip will carry most. II
not all. OF General Duftield's brigade
The war department allows three days
for the trip. two days to unload the
troops and three days to return to New
port News. making eight days. BY that
time General Garretson's brigade will be
at Newport News ready TO go on board
the ships. and then will come the second
trip. taking three days. with two days
allowed for Garretson's troops TO unload
in Cuba.
Reports were current at the war de-
partment again to-day that General
Miles would leave the city within the
next two days. 1t was asserted also