New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-12
THE INVASION HAS BEGUN.
EIGHT HUNDRED MARINES LAND.
RAISED AMERICAN FLAG AND WILL
HOLD POSITION UNTIL TROOPS
ARRIVE
Copyright. 1898: The Associated Press)

vaslon Of Cuba by the American forces began
to-day. Eight hundred marines have pitched
their tents about the smoking ruins Of the outer
Stripes for the first time float from Spanish
Flagstaff IN Cuba. To Captain Clark and the
battle-shp Oregon belong the honor Of accom-
plishing the first successful landing Of the war.
Forty marines from the battle-ship went ashore
this morning and occupied the left entrance Of
the bay until the troopship Panther arrived with
eight hundred marines.
These. under the command OF Lieutenant
Colonel r. w. Huntington. arrived at o'clock,
and within half an hour they had burned the
buildings OF the Spanish camp and had set fire
TO the little village which crouched on the beach
under the hill Of Guantanamo.
The whole operation OF silencing the guns
and landing the forces was as easy as placing a
Sunday school picnic. The Marblehead. backed
by the Vixen and the Dolphin. opened fire on the
earthworks yesterday The shores to the right
OF the entrance were lined with guns and rifle
pits. but the spanards stampeded after firing
a few shots
The city OF Guantanamo lies four miles up the
bay and little Spanish gunboat came down to
help the shore batteries. She stayed Just long
enough TO turn around. Numerous shots were
fired by the SpanIards. but not one landed and
no Americans were injured.
FIRED FIFTY SHOTS AT FORTS.
The main fort lies within the city limits and is
yet 10 be reduced. but 1t is not in a difficult posi-
ton. and the American officers say It can be
taken in fifteen minutes when desired
The Marblehead. the Dolphin. the Vixen and two
golfers have been off the entrance OF the har-
they sailed into the channel. and n mile further
on they opened fire. sending fifty shots at the
for,incatlons on the left. The hills on the right
OF the entrance were deserted. There are no
defences on the right side of the harbor.
No attempt was made to land until the Oregon
steamed In early this morning. Captain Clark
Immediately sent forty marines ashore and
twenty IN the Marblehead followed. They
found evidence Of very hasty departure upon
tn, part Of the valorous spaniards. Hammocks.
clothing. ammunition and several watches were
scattered about the earthworks. and a Spanish
nag was found IN one Of the rife-pis.
The Ii,ile detachment Of marines held the
place until the Panther arrived when they were
recalled and the work OF Decentralization began.
Tie first boa,load had scarcely landed when
the village burst into flames
Company B under Lieutenant Hall. was the
first ashore. and without the loss Of moment
the column started up the steep. rocky hill to
the ear,hworks. For an hour n brown column
~ marines filed up the narrow path eventually
taking up "A position at the top OF the hill.
MARINES TO WAIT FOR TROOPS.
As soon as the American flag swung out
70 the breeze from The nagstaff OF the captured
Spanish camp the Oregon steamed away TO re-
Join the fleet off Santiago de Cuba.
The marines Will hold the position until the
arrival OF the expected troops, in the mean time
scouting In the vicinity, with the Marbiehead
the Vixen and the Dolphin lying by to protect
them.
Rear-Admral Sampson now has a harbor and
n base OF supplies the south side OF the
island. and troops be landed at will.
The ,roopship Panther reached the feet off
early to-day
On her way over the Yosemite fired dozen
fhells into the port OF Baiquiri. but received no
response.
Guantanamo is only forty miles east Of San
,,ago de Cuba and is a splendid location for
base OF supplies.
II s understood that the island OF Cuba Is
now entirely cut of from cable communication
with the outside world. Report here has 1t that
the cable-shp Adria cut the cable at Santiago
lie Cuba on Monday and that the same day the
st. Louis cut the cable running from Guam
'anamo to Mole st. Nicholas She inter
-upted IN the work by shells from the shore, but
he Marblehead sent several shells at the SOL
llers and scattered them.
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