The record-union., 1898-07-01
To Capture the Forts and Enable
Warships to Enter Harbor,
When Concerted Action Will Be Made Upon
the Spanish Fleet and Forces
About the City Both by
Land and Water.


alton at the close of the day was de-
scribed by Secretary Alger as being
such as to warrant him in entertaining
the expectation of important news at
any moment. There We're two parties
to a battle, and it might be precipi-
tated by either side, and no one here
knew what the Spanish disposition was
Nor is much more known respecting
General Skaters plans of attack, Al
though in his messages of yesterday he
indicated a purpose to move early on
the enemy as shown by his declaration
that reinforcements could not reach
him before he offered battle.
Secretary Alger was very much graf
flied when he learned to-day that direct
telegraphic communication had been
established between Washington and
General Skaters headquarters at
Siboney. Heretofore all messages from
the General have been delayed twenty
four hours, owing to the necessity OF
sending them across rough country to
reach the cable station. The loss of
so much time might be vital in case
of urgent need for reinforcements, or
of ammunition and supplies.
The opinion is held here that the
navy will cooperate in the attack on
Santiago, and to that end part OF
Skaters force is to move Immediately
upon MORO Castle to capture the forts
and 70 enable the naval launches to
open the gateway into the harbor by
removing the mines. The experience Of
the vessels while in Guantanamo har-
Dor in pulling up the mines there is
expected to very much facilitate SINH
lar work at Santiago.
No telegram came to the War De-
partment to-day from General Shafter,
and the understanding here is that he is
employing his time to the best ad-
vantage in taking forward fffs rtfffery,
and making all ready for the final as
sault upon Santiago 1t is not knoEn
how far the Spanish reinforcements
have advanced since yesterday, but
General Shafter has full knowledge of,
their movements, and it is believed it
is not likely to delay his attack until
they nave strengthened the
at Santiago by uniting with Linares.
The second expedition from Tampa
to reinforce Shafter appears TO have
encountered almost as many difficulties
as the original expedition in getting
away. 1t was confidently expected here
that the start would be made from
Tampa last Monday, but one difficulty
after another has arisen to retard the
movement, so that it with a feel
ing of relief that the news came to
the department from Tampa that the
flagship of the expedition, the Hudson,
had swung out into the stream, and
was ready TO lead the procession OF
troops, which, it is believed by this
time, are under way, bound for Santi-
ago.
1t is calculated that the second in
stallment of the reinforcements dis
patched TO Shafter from Camp Alger,
via steamer from Newport News.
reached him to-day the Harvard.
and the steamer Yale is expected at
Newport News day after tomorrow.
returning from her first trip with Duff
fields soldiers TO take more reinforce
ments probably including Garretsons
battalion The department is thorough
ly satisfied at the success attending
this method Of transporting the troops
from Camp Alger. having found ii 20
be not only much more economical than
the combined rail and water route via
Tampa. but more expeditions.
The steamers Will be further availed
of in pursuance of Secretary's Ayers
intention 20 continue TO dispatch REIN
forcements after reinforcement to
Shafter until he has an overpowering
force at his command. The Secretary
believes that no ground is lost in this
way, for If there is an overplus OF
troops at Santiago they can be easily
used elsewhere.
Major General Coppingersis not TO go
to Santiago with any of these addi-
tional forces. He is senior to General
Shafter. and if sent to;Santiago by vir-
tue of the army regulations. Would as
sumo command of the army IN front or
that place. Therefore It is likely that
he will be reserved for the command OF
the Porto Rican expedition.
1t was announced at the Navy De-
partment this afternoon that the Span
ish Cadiz squadron had paid the heavy
canal tolls. and was about to proceed
eastward through the canal, though this
statement was probably erroneous. in
view of the later reports to the press in