Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-10
SANTIAGO IN SORE STRAITS
Americans and Cubans Pressing Bsleaguered
City from All Sides.
SPANISH MAKE But FEEBLE RESISTANCE
Food Is Scarce and Troops and Sail
ois Are Now ON Half Rations-
Mcrrimac's Crew All
safe.

Copyright, 1895. by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON. June s.-tNew York World
Cablegrsm-Special Telegram-)-A Daily
Mail Cape Haytien dispatch says:
Frequent skirmishes are reported as TAX
ing place between the Spanish and Cuhans,
who were recently reinforced by the marines
al Daguiri. The Spanish are making but
feeble resistance. The Cubans and Amer
leans are pushing steadily forward and have
already gained many points Of vantage. in
Guiding a small fort a few miles east Of
MORO castle. which was captured on Tues
day under cover Of several ships. The fort
is considered important because II COM
mands Aguadores bay, where it is contem-
plated General Skaters forces will land.
The marines have landed and mounted sew
eral guns on the fort The Cubans under
Garcia number 5000 and are rapidly in
c~reasing. They maintain constant com
munication with the American feet. which
has supplied them with a large quantity Of
arms, ammunition and stores. Recent re-
ports state the Spanish forces under Lin
ares have been weakened by desertions, and
now number only $500, including sailors
from the Spanish feet and volunteers.
Santiago is on the verge Of starvation. Food
is being seized for the army and navy. The
troops and sailors are on half rations. The
Spanish are now encamped on the hills on
both sides Of the harbor and are terrifying
their positions.
Nerrimae'S Crew safe.
PORT ANTONIO. Jamaica. June 9.-JNew
York World Cahlegran-Special Telegram J
The United States dispatch boat Dolphin
on Monday shelled and struck a railroad
train on the coast. The train was fun Of
Spanish troops. Many Of the soldiers were
killed.
A constant communication is kept up be-
tween the insurgents. who are besiegiag
Santiago by land. and Adnira! SIMPSONS
feet After the engagement al Guantanamo
the Marblshesd and the Yankee returned 10
the feet bIockading Santiago. The cable
steamer Adria, after cutting the cable, re-
turned 10 Key West Its Norwegian crew,
frightened by the IRE Of the Spaa.ards, re-
fused 10 work longer.
BY direction Of the admiral the Vixen yes
terday entered Santiago harbor under a flag
of truce 10 arrange an exchange Of the
Merrinac prisoners for some Spaniards cap
,u-ed on q prize made by the M~arblehead
Admiral Cervera asked for tine for consulta-
ton. Today he sent word that the matter
had beer referred 10 General Blanco. The
Merrimac men are safe.
The blockade of Santiago and Csrvera'
feet has developed another hero. Admira.
Sampson conRrends tie courage of Ensigz
Palmer OF the New York. WHO ran within I9t
yards Of the Santiago batteries Sunday night
in the launch under fire. Cadet Powell tooI
the launch into the harbor for information
regarding the Merrimsc's crew under a rife
fire. Neither suffered harm. Ensign Palmer
learned that the Spaniards were making at
tampts 20 repair their disabled batteries ant
remounting guns. Admiral Sampson be.
neves that more than half Of the enemy
guns were dlsmoua1ed by the bonba-dmenr
-ockade Running story a Fake.
KEY WEST, Fla. June e.-New Yorl
World Cablsg-am-Speuial Telegrau.1-
There IS no truth IN The story sent out from
here that Spalish'var ships have been see7
OF the north coast OF Cuba The repur
originated in a mistake IN signalling
The story brought here was that a govern.
ment ug from Cardsnas joined the feet Of
Havana yesterday afternoon and reporte,
that on Tuesday night Al auxiliary gunboa
sighted four vessels, which II took 70 be
battleship, TWO cruisers and q torpedo boat
between Salt Cay and Padre del Cruz light
When within speaking distance the gunboz
holsted the private fleet signal The stranger
answered with three mast head lights. whici
was not the required signal. and then pu
out all their lights. The gunboat cruise,
after the strangers for 4 while and thel
abandoned the chase.
Il Is thought one Of the vessels was tn,
British cruiser Talbot which left Havan.
Tuesday.