The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-07-06
The Situation at SAINT. 20.
Strength of Opposing Ar
mies...What Shafter has to
Contend Against.

Washiugtos, Juoe 29.-The opinion
prevails here that within day or two
at most Gen. Shaftsr will have begun
bis attack upon the city of Santiago
proper. The Important event of the
day was the generals announcement
that he could take the city 10 4s hours,
but at considerable loss. Taken in
connection With the announcements con-
taioed in another dispatch that be is
going to attack without awaiting
reinfcrcemeuts it will be seen that the
officials have ground for their expectation
that the first general engagement Of
the war will begin 10 very short
time
Numerically the opposing armies are
not very different, the estimate of the
Spanish force being placed at $4,000
men, thoroughly entrenched and be-
hind hsrbed wire fences and block
horses, as against about $4,000 men
under Skaters command, aided by
1900 Cubans. One of the gravest
elements in the problem. however, is
the Spanish warsbips. for unless Shat.
ter is materially assisted by Sampson,
who might engage the full atteotion of
The Spanish ships, their fire upon the
American advance forces would be very
hard to meet. The military aushori-
ties here say that Gen. Lioares has
shown great military tact in slowly re-
firing during the last few days, as be
has gradually drawn our troops away
from the protection of the American
chips aud brought them close to the fire
of the Spanish chips iu Santiago bar-
Dor. For this reason it was with re-
lief that the announcement was receiv
ed that Shsfter had succeeded in laod-
lag all of his artillery, including his
siege train, for unless Sampson can be
relied upon to force his way into the
harbor and attack the Spanish ships
these siege guns planted on heights
commanding the bay will be the main
relisnce Of Gen. Sbsfter ir ofsetting
the presence of the Spanish irouclads.
Undoubtly Shafter is animated to at
tack as soon as possible by his kuowl.
edge of the approach of the reinforce
ments for Linares from Maosanillo. for
with this addional force Skaters
position would be disagreeable. if not
perilous. at least until he had'received
rein forcements. The var department
received the first definite news today
ss to the approach of these Spanish
reiuforcements. This was in an off,
cial dispatch, stating that 5000 men,
with pack trains and droves Of animals
were advancing from Manzanillo and
were Sd miles from Santiago
It has been known through reports
from Lieut.. Joyce. made to Gen. Miles
that the SpaDiards have 10000 men
at Mauzanlllo AID 10000 at Holguin
and every precaution has been taken to
guard against their advance from
either quarter. The official report to-
day showed that 5000 of those at Man
zanillo had covered half she distance to
Santiago and it is the belief of mill
tary officials here that Gen. Pando i;
making similar advances with bis TO-.
600 men from Holgiun. These ad-
vances, now practically unopposed
are regarded as one of the most seriou.
phases of the situation.
There is the further element te
which the military authorities are give
Jog careful attention. that one mau
eutrencbed behind earthworks o,
in rife pits is worth three men in the
open. 1t is said that the battles o.
Charlottesville aud Spottsylvanias
afforded the most direct proof on this
point
It was announced at the war depart
mens that BY their reports, 5000 sol
diers should be leaving Tampa to-day
to join Shsfter. They will be three
OF four days on the voyage and it ii
probable that it is this force that Gen
Shsf,er refers to as likely to arrive TOT
late for bis action.