Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-07-07
THEN A BOMBARDMENT.
Many Conferences Now Being Held
in Washington Relative to the
Situation.


With Orders From washington-Present
Situation of Our Forces Now Investing
Cuban Territory.
Washington, July 7.-Secretary AL
ger, after the cabinet meeting Tues
day, announced that there would be no
assault on Santiago until after the an
rival of reinforcements or until Admi-
raj Sampson had effected an entrance
to the harbor with his ships.
The president sent word to General
Shafter to confer with Sampson on
the situation.
Reports from General Shafter said
that terrific tropical storm had caus-
ed the surf to run so high that it
would be impossible to land troops from
transports or for Admiral Sampson to
enter the harbor of Santiago until it
subsidized.
General Shafter, in dispatch receiv-
ed Monday night, confirmed the report
that General Pando, with about 5000
Spaniards, had arrived in the city and
were already distributed among the for
tifications.
This reinforcement makes the Span
tsh forces defending the city from six
teen to eighteen thousand men. Tho
very great advantage of being in
trenched adds materially to their
strength, and in the opinion of military
men makes their fighting force from a
third to a half greater than our own.
General Shafter in his dispatches
states that the excessive heat and rains
of the last two weeks have contributed
nearly as much as the Spanish bullets
to the casualties among our men,
Under these circumstances it is his
opinion it would be unwisa to attempt
to carry the city by assault. This view
is shared by the officials here and also
1t Is understood by Admiral Sampson
In command of the fleet.
Orders were given looking to the i'm
mediate dispatch Of troop ship. from
Tampa with reinforcements s,r Shat
ter and others now off Santiago will be
brought here at the earliest possible
moment to aid in the transportation Ii
is probable that at least $1,000 will be
sent forward as rapidly as the trans
portation can be provided.
Thus augmented, there seems to be
no doubt that the force under General
Shafter will be able to storm and take
the city without delay. These are the
views entertained by members of the
cabinet, who talk freely on the subject.
Nevertheless, the orders under which
both the army and navy are now on
Grating gives commanders wide discre-
ton, and it is not doubted that should
changed circumstances seem to war
rant an aggressive movement.
Gen. Shafter made report to Wash
ngton Sunday and Secretary Alger
,abled the Presidents thanks to th.
General All of Skaters report was
not made public. In part he said:
I'VE have the town we'll invested on
the north and east, but with a very
hin line. Upon approaching it we find
of such character and the defense
s so strong that it VIII be impossible
% carry it by storm with my present
.orce. Our losses will aggregate
thousand, but the list has not yet been
made. There is very little sickness
among the men. Gen. Wheeler is seri-
,usly i'll and will probably have to go
o the rear to-day. Gen. Young is also
very i'll. Gen. Hawkins was slightly
wounded in the foot. Gen. Garcia re-
ports that he holds the railroad from
Santiago to San Luis, and has burned
L bridge and removed some rails; also
hat Gen. Pando has arrived at Palma,
md that the French Consul with about
100 French citizens came into his line
from Santiago"
Gen. Shafter cabled to Washington
partial list of officers killed and
wounded at Santiago.
peforo SANTIAGO Julv with tho