The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-07-01
ON THE EVE OF A BATTLE
ALGER EXPECTS IMPORTANT NEWS
 AT ANY MOMENT.

Eight May be Precipitated by Essher
 side-No One Knows the Spanish Dis
 positton-shafter Has Full Knowledge
 of the Movements of the Spanish Re-
 ents-Xvashington Now Has
 Direct Communication With Shafter.
 Washington, June 30.-The situation at the close of the day was described by Secretary Alger as being such as to warrant him in entertaining the eX- pectation of important news at any moment. There were two parties to a battle and 1t might be precipitated by either side and no one here knew what the Spanish disposition was. Nor is much more known respecting Gen eral Shafter's plan of attack, although in his message. of yesterday he indi- cated purpose to move early on the enemy. Secretary Alger was very much gratified when he learned to-day that direct telegraphic communication now existed between Washington and General ShafterS headquarters at Siboney. Heretofore all messages from the general have been delayed tWen- ty-four hours owing to the necessity of sending them across rough country to reach the cable station.
 The opinion is held here that the navy will cooperate in the attack on Santiago and to that end part of Shaf- ter's force is to move immediately upon Moro castle to capture the forts and enable the naval launches to open the gateway into the harbor by removing the mines. No telegram came to the war department to-day from General Shafter and the under standing here is that he is taking his artillery to the front and making all ready for the final assault upon San- tiaso. General Shafter has full knowledge of the Spanish reinforce ments movements and it is believed is not likely to delay his attack until they have joined the garrison at Sam tiago.
 The second expedition from Tampa to reinforce Shafter appears to have en- countered almost as many difficulties as the original expedition in getting away. It was confidently expected here that a start would be made from Tam pa last Monday, but one difficulty af- ter another has arisen to retard the movement, so that 1t was with a feel ing of relief that the department re- ceiv news from Tampa that the flag ship of the expedition, the Hudson, i,,+o +1,a md oc ready to lead the procession of trans ports which it is believed by this time are under way bound for Santiago.
 It is calculated that the second in- stallment of the endorsements dis patched to Shafter from Camp Alger via steamer from Newport News, Va, reached him to-day on 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 Carretson's battalion. The department is thor oughly satisfied with the success att tending this method of transporting the troops from Camp Alger, having found it to be not only much more 
 water route via Tampa but also more expeditions. The steamers will be fur ther availed of in pursuance of Sec- retary Alger's intention to continue to dispatch endorsements to Shafter un- til he has an overpowering force at his command.
 Major General Coppinger is not to go to Santiago with any Of these addition al forces. He is senior general to Gen- eral Shafter and if sent to Santiago would assume command of the army in front of that place. Therefore it is likely he will be reserved for tile=aaf1@ mand of the Porto Ripan exnedttie9
 TCopyright 1898, The Associated Pfsss
 On board the Associated Press diss patch boat Dandy, off Juragna. Prov ince of Santiago de Cuba, Wednesday, June 29, 6 D. m., via Kingstons Tafnai- ca, Thursday, June 30, Il a. sm. The forces of the Anericar army are Being mobilized as rapidly as possible in the vicinity of Aguadores, four miles from Santiago de Cuba. The moment the tedious task is completed the attack on Spain's last ditch in eastern Cuba will be begun. When taat will be, General ShafteR himseif Cannot say. The troops can be moved without se- rious delay and are pushing forward rapidly, but the moveInent of the pack trains, wagons, ambuiarees and artil- lery is taxing the skill nd endurance of the officers and men tp the Utmost. From Baiquiri, where thf5 artillery was landed, to the presenE pesint Of concen- tration the roads run through g tan gle of tropical undsr& rowth, Ep and down steep hillsides sssa ever treach- erous swamp-bordered streams, for a distance of over tWefVe miles. Through this continuous thicket 1he roar guard of the army is cutting its way. En- gineers are at work le eliing ti1e track and filling pits, whiis large force of regulars and voluntsssrs. with axes, 2 aided by Cubans wlrh maohetes, are hacking down trees @ clearing out the brush. A few lEgAh guns have al- erady reached this port, but tht siege