The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-02
PERILS OF THE SITUATION.
Over 10000 Spaniards Liable to
EIanL A ri IEorcaa


Copyright, 1898. by the Associated Press)
OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, June 30, 2 p.
m, by the Associated Press dispatch boat
Wanda, filed Port Antonio, Jamaica, July
l, s a. ma two days visit to the Cuban
lines and outposts by a correspondent of
the Associated Press has developed a sit
uation which, if not broken by vigorous
and successful attack on Santiago, may
result in causing much more serious work
than has been anticipated with the Spanish
forces that have retired from the vicinity
of Acerraderos on the west and Baiquiri on
the east, to join General Linares.
The forces in Santiago and within the
fortified defenses of the city now number
L, 200, seven thousand regulars and four
thousand volunteers. Concerning the latter
the Cubans allege that they will not fight
with any heart, but will lay down their
arms According to Spanish soldiers cap
tured yesterday and held in the camp of
General Perez, near Guantanamo, half of
the force Of men on the Spanish war ships
had been landed, with all the rapid-fire
guns. This would make a total force in the
city of 1880 men, in addition to the pro-
lection from the earthworks and forts and
the assistance Of the ships in the harbor.
To meet this force or at least to invade it's
stronghold, the American commanders now
have H. 500 men and four thousand Cubans-
the latter to prevent, if possible, flank move
ments at the expense of the Americans
Now, here is the dangerous and most sig
nificant feature of the situation. Marching
from Manzanillo, 120 miles west of Santiago.
and having BEEN on the road for six days.
q quite we'll advanced now in his progress, is
General Pando with seven battalions, aggre-
eating S,400 men. To oppose him is Gen.
Jesu Rab, with force of 1900 Cubans,
lying in wait seventeen miles from Santiago
and on two roads Now, of course, it would
be perfectly possible for General Pando to
take his column far to the north and make
a junction with the Spanish troops supposed
to be on the way from Holguin and num-
bering, it is said, 5000 men. This advance
from the north is being held in check by
about 1900 Cubans. under General Castillo.
who claims to hold the passes.
General Castillo admitted in camp yes
terday, as he smoked his cigar and slipped
his coffee, that his method was to do Indian
fighting in the mountain passes. When he
was asked what his forces would do if
aanked he gravely said he had not thought
of that, but he supposed he would have to
retire The object of the Spanish advance
ing from Manzanillo may be to elude Rabi
and by effecting a junction with the Span
ish 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. General
Rabi's forces, combined with those OF Gen
Castillo, would only give a combating force
of 800 Cubans; and the Cubans do not hes
itate to run before overwhelming numbers
Nor is that all that menaces. Leaving the
C,,o ,,f., " Of ma ND vaI,r
ing into the wood to the west, the Asso-
ciated Press correspondent found force of
500 Cubans under command of Colonel Pc
rez. This force had variously been esti-
mated at from 1900 to $500 Cubans; but
there were certainly not more than SOO as
Colonel Perez admitted in the course of a
conversation. although he had distinctly
claimed to have about 1000 men. This force
of 500 is supposed TO be keeping at bay 3,4OO
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 on
the flank of the American army. In other
words, there are TO the northeast and west of
the army of invasion thanking forces of
Spaniards comprising over 10000 troops.
held at bay by less than 5000 Cubans, whose
lighting qualities are as yet rather enig-
msatical.
In an interview with General Garcia the
correspondent called attention to this situa-
tidn. General Garcia replied: II believe
that we should be left to the west and
north to prevent Pan6o making a junction
with Linares. We can do that" In spite
of this warning, General Garcia and his
lConttnued on Second PaRe.l