The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-06-11
OUR SHIPS WIN AGAIN
Spanish Fortifications at Caimanera
Shelled.
American and InsurEent Forces Unite
Near santiaEo-spanish Report Adj
mits sinking of the Cruiser
Reina Mercedes.

Cape Haytien, Hayti, June 9.-It is re-
ported here that a great battle has
taken place at Caimanera, in the bay Of
Guantanamo. At half past five Tues
day morning Ave ships Of the American
squadron opened heavy bombardment
of the Notifications Of the town. There
was a perfect hail OF bombs IN the bay,
striking and demolishing many houses
beyond the Notifications.
On the Spanish side the artillery re-
piled vigorously, maintaining for some
time a stout resistance. The fire from
the warships, however, never tlackened
for an instant. II was regular and care
fully directed and a great majority OF
the shots proved effective.
spnniards Driven Back.
The Spaniards were forced TO aban-
don their position on the shore and re-
treat 10 the town OF Caimanera proper.
II Is supposed that later they fed from
this position also, with the inhabitants.
Information has reached here that the
Spanish at Santiago and Caimanera are
preparing for final desperate struggle
and are determined 10 resist the as
saults Of the Americans TO the last ex-
tremi;y.
Ordered To Burn the Town.
The commander OF the district issued
orders Tuesday 10 burn Caimanera be-
fore yielding il into the hands Of the
Americans. The latter forced the en-
trance OF the bay OF Guantanamo and
according TO the latest advices from
Caimanera, il was feared that the
Americans would make an effort TO land
forces there Wednesday, afternoon.
Measures to prevent this were taken by
the Spaniards. The American fleet was
still maintaining its position.
Cable communication with Cuba,
which has been interrupted for many
hours, was partially restored Wednes-
day afternoon, but ii Is still difficult and
precarious. The report OF the bonn
bardment AT Caimanern came by cable.
The bombardment destroyed little
house which sheltered the shore connec-
ton Of the French cable al Caimanera,
though whether by the explosion OF
bombs from the water or by explosives
used by party sent for that purpose
Is not known. The cables uniting the
main cable with the office at Caimanern
and the town Of Caimanera with Santa
go were cut, thus accounting for the
prolonged absence OF intelligence here
as 10 operations in that vicinity. Ii Is
also believed that the cable al Santiago
Is cut, as no direct news from Santiago
has yet been received at Cape HaytieI
since Monday at midnight.
Hoisted stars and stripes.
More fighting was reported in and
around Santiago bay Wednesday. Amer
leans made a successful landing and
hoisted the stars and stripes few
miles east Of Morros guns. The insur-
gents cooperated and hoisted the Cuban
flag with the American colors. The
American troops were disembarked al
the old wharf belonging to the Man.
Ranese Mining company, n few miles
east OF the Moro. Their landing was
covered by several American ships OF
war and they were protected from the
land side by a large body Of Cuban
troops from Gen Garcia's command.
The object OF the invaders is TO gair
the heights OF the Maestro hills, and es
pecially Irma San Pablo, which com
mands Santiago city. The lombard
ment OF Monday has left the NIomo and
Socapa forts no longer factors in the
fight. SIMPSONS ships have not passed
the spot where the Merrimac was sunk
but they are within easy range Of three
forts inside and of the Spanish war
ships.
Land Attack Expected.
New York. June "a special from
Cape Haytien says the Americans ant
insurgents have formed junction neal
Santiago and that land attack on tn,
city is momentarily expected Tn,
Spaninrds claim 10 have $4,000 seasoned
troops In Santiago. The special fur
Their says that Col. Thenuz, a renowned
Austrian artillerist in the Spanish serv
ice, was killed in Mondays lombard
ment on the forts OF Santiago harbor.
Reina Mercedes sunk.
Madrid, June o. - IL is officially nd
mftted that the Spanish cruiser Reins
Mercedes was sunk by the fire OF the
American feet at Santiago de Cubs
on Monday. Five sailors and 20 ma
rines on board OF her were killed
THE Reina Mercedes was steel cruiser
built at Carthagena I'm 1887. She was over
5000 tons displacement 27S feet 10 inches
long, ~ feet inches broad and drew II
feet inches OF water. She had 3.700 in
dicated horsepower when completed. wal
driven by one propeller and carried n crew
OF about $40 men. Her engines. recently
had been useless owing to her boilers CIV
ing out. with the Alfonso XII and tn,
Reina Christina, the Relna Mercedes OF
late years has been used as transport
The three vessels were almost alike. The
arma ment OF the sunlSen cruiser consisted
OF six 62-lnch Hontoria breech-loadinR
guns, two 27-inch Hontoria breech loading
guns, three six-pounder quick-firing guns
two four-p ounder quick-hring gums, SIX