The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-03
IF, THE CORRESPONDENT
He Tells What Might Happen It Spain
Should IN Certain Things


SANTIAGO, DE CUBA, June 80, p. m.
by the Associated Press Dispatch boat
Wanda to Port Antonio, Jamaica. July g.
A two-days' visit to the Cuban lines and
outposts by correspondent of the ASSOCIATE
ed Press has developed situation which, II
not broken by vigorous and successful
attack on Santiago, may result In causing
much more serious work than has been an
ticipated with the Spanish forces that have
retired from the vicinity OF Acerraderos on
the ives. and Baiquiri on the east. to join
Gen. Linares. The forces in Santiago and
within the fortified defenses of the city now
number 1900, 1000 regulars and 1000 volun-
teers. Concerning the latter. the Cubans
allege that they will not fight with any
heart, but will lay down their arms. Ac-
cording to Spanish soldiers captured yester-
day and held in the camp of Gen. Perez.
near Guantanamo. half of the force of men
on the Spanish warships had been landed.
with all the rapid-fire guns. This would
make a total force In the city of 12,5O men,
in addition to the protection from the earth
works and the forts and the assistance Of
the ships in the harbor.
To meet this force, or at least to Invade
its stronghold, the American commanders
now have II 500 men and 1000 Cubans-the
latter to prevent, If possible, flank move
ments at the expense of the Americans.
Now here Is the dangerous and most sig
rificant feature of the situation. Marching
from Manzanillo. 120 miles west of Santiago,
and having been on the road for six days,
quite well advanced in his progress. is Gen.
Pando with seven battalions, agsregating
$500 men. To oppose him is Gen. Jesus with
force of 22O0 Cubans, lying in wait seven
teen miles from Santiago and on two roads.
Now, of course, 1t would be perfectly pos
sible for Gen. Pando to take his column far
to the north and make a junction with the
Spanish troops supposed to be on the way
from Holguln with 5000 men. This adj
vance from the north is being held in check
by about 1900 Cubans under Gen. Castillo,
who claims to hold the passes.
Gen. Castillo admitted in camp yesterday,
as he smoked his cigar and supped his
coffee, that his method was to do Indian
fighting in the mountain passes. When
he was asked what his forces would do
if fianked, he gravely said he had not
thought of that, but supposed he would have
TO retire. The object of the Spanish ad-
vancing from Manzanillo may be to elude
Spanish from the north to form an army Of
II 400 men. AS a flank on the west end Of
the American army, facing the city. Gen.
Rabrs forces, combined with those of Gen.
Castillo would only give combating force
of 300 Cubans. and the Cubans do not hesi-
tate to run before Overwhelming numbers.
Leaving the Guantanamo camp Of marines
plunging into the wood to the west, the
force of 500 Cubans under command of Col.
Perez. This force is supposed to be keeping
at bay 3400 Spanish troops who are in the
town of Guantanamo. The marines are near
this camp but to the east of it, so that they
could do nothing to prevent the Spaniards
from moving to the west flank of the Amer
lean army. In other words, there are to
the northeast and west of the army Of in
vasion thanking forces Of Spaniards over
20, 900 troops, held at bay by less than 5000
Cubans, whose fighting qualities are, as yet,
rather enigmatical.
In an interview today with Gen. Garcia,
the correspondent called attention to this
situation. Garcia replied:
II believe that we should have been left
to the west to prevent Pando making a
junction with Linares. We can do that"
In spite of this warning, Gen. Garcia and
his force were taken to the east and landed
with the army, only to be transported back
again to prevent the very movement which
Garcia had predicted. The solution of the
difficulty lies in brilliant and quick at
tack.
The unreliability Of the Cubans' state
ments as to force may be better under
stood when it Is known that the 1900 men
Beres promised to send to help the marines
numbered exactly eighty-two, of whom
twenty-one were on the sick list from over
eating.