The commonwealth., 1898-06-23
WAR NEWS

Schley are before Santiago. In the
east, affairs seem to be drawing to
close. It is reported that Captain Cen
eral August has resigned military
leadership to the Spanish general COM
manding at Manila so that the caplt-
ulation of the latter place may be sign
ed by him and thus have less impor-
tance In the eyes OF the nations than
If signed by the Captain General. If
this report be true which is very prob
able. Spanish possessions in the east
will soon be completely at the mercy
of the American Admiral.
The only hope of the Spanlard is
German Intervention. For some time
past the Germans have been collecting
warships about the Philippines. Some
think that they intend to interfere, II
| the Americans are victorious. The
German and Spanish officers are seen
much together and seem to be Oh most
intimate terms while the British are
| more cordial toward the Americans.
However, Emperor William says that
Germany will maintain course strict
ly impartial, and will do nothing det-
rimental to her present friendly rela-
tlons with the United States.
J The Charleston and transports passed
Honolulu June 4th. Their arrival at
Manila, which is daily expected, Will
strengthen materially the position OF
Admiral Dewey.
In the West Indies our position is
much stronger than it was last week.
There is strength in certainty, and the
report of Lieut.. Blue, who made tour
of observation around Santiago last
week, renders it certain beyond doubt
that the feet of Cervera is at Santiago.
! The handful of marines who effected
landing at Guantanamo held their
own bravely, until reinforced by the
insurgents from the commands of the
Cuban generals, Rabbi and Garcia.
When our transports arrive Gen. Shat
ter will have no difficulty should he
wish to land troops there.
Aguadores, Spanish fort only eight
miles from Santiago, has been captur-
ed by Gen. Rabbi. This IS quite an
important military stroke on account
of the towns proximity to Santiago
and It's excellent iron wharyes upon
which we can unload our heavy ar
tillery.
Many of the outer Notifications at
Santiago have been practically demol-
ished, and the Spaniards haye been
forced to draw In their lines.
Provisions are becoming scarce in
from some unexpected quarter starva-
ton will compel surrender. The enc
my are now on half rations and are
said TO have enough for about 10 days.
| There are many rumors adoat con-
cernang the Cadiz fleet under Admiral
Camara. Just where the fleet is, and
what is it's destination are questions
which no one can answer. Some
think that a Spanish attack on Boston
! is medita.ed; while others assert that
| the vessels are bound Tor Manila. Like
Cervera, Camara will probably dodge
us until he Is "bottled tip"
Mondays news service to the press
through the dispatch boat Dauntless
| off Santiago de Cuba said that 1nspec-
ton along the crest of the hills defend
| ing Santiago reveals wreck and ruin to
the Spanish Notifications In the bonn
! bardment last Thursday.
Here are few lines OF gruesome de-
scription
"Some of the batteries were demol-
ished beyond repair. The yultures,
which clrcled OH level wings over the
hills as thick as swallows around a
chimney for hours after the firing
ceased, furnished gruesome evidence Of
the fatality among the Spanish soldiers.
Hundreds of troops could be seen from
the ships digging IN mounds of earth
piled up by the explosion of the pro-
jectiles from the heavy guns tor bodies,
while their heads were famed by the
wings of the black scavengers- of the
battlefield. There were two spots, one
on the east and the other on the west
OF the harbor entrance, which were de-
nuded of foliage. The hill tops seem
literally blown away. These marked
the places where the two.hundred
pound charges of the gun cotton blown
by the Vesuvius landed. But the
most ominous token OF death flew from
Moro Castle. The saffron flag Of
Spain was half-masted on the keep for
several hour. The significance of this
is not known. It is not customary tc
half-mast flags, but possibly some Span
ish leader was killed by the heavy fire
OF our guns, though some officers OF the
squadron believe that half-masted is a
notification to the Americans that
Lieutenant Hobson and his brave men
are dead. Ii such is the case they must
have been wantonly murdered. The
Spanish might seek to lay their death
to thebomba bardment, but not shot
from the American fleet struck the
fortress"
Juan Santos, a Cuban pilot. has re-
ported at Key West that he has been
into Santiago and the Spanish garrison
Is fifteen thousand strong. He says
that Cervera's feet in Santiago harbol
consists of the armored cruisers Cristo
Dol Colon, Vizcaya. Almirante Oquendo
and two small cruisers, with two tor
pedo boats, and Reina Mercedes, which
had been stripped of her guns to rein
force the land batteries.
SHORES LINED WITH sPANIARDs.
Attempts to find landing places fol
American troops along the coast few
miles from Santiago have revealed the
tact that for fifteen miles the shores
are swarming with Spanlards. The
launches New York and Massachusetts
tried tn land hnt fn1ipo fhoir poeoc