The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-22
SHAFTER ATSANTIACO
believed that He Is Now There with
His Army.
A COUNCIL BEFORE DEGRADATION
was the Plan Formed Before the
Expedition Lift.
PROBABLE POINT OF LANDING.
mere Arc Several Locations where
the Troops Gun Begin the Cam
paign Against santiago.
PROBABLE POINT OF LANDING

New York. June 20.--A special dispatch
| TO the Tribune from Washington says: The
arrival of the Fifth army corps, under Gen.
eral Shafter. at the rendezvous at Santiago,
which in the opinion Of the army and navy
officials, has occurred by this time, devel-
ops the most interesting contingency OF
the war. and there Is frank curiosity among
the officials us well as the public TO re-
ceive authentic reports describing the de-
barkation of such great military force upon
the shores OF country held by an active
enemy. The difficulties involved in this
landing are thoroughly appreciated by mil
itary and naval men, who are unable to
conceal their uneasiness regarding its prac-
teal execution.
According to the plans arranged before
General Shafter sailed his fleet OF thirty
transports will lie at safe distance from
shore while a war council is being held
between the commanding officers OF the
two forces and their chief staff officers.
Admiral Sampson has probably become
familiar with the most accessible and least
dangerous localities in the immediate vicin-
continuously maintained with the Cubans
ashore. He Is also possessed with the
power to batter down any Notifications
which may have been established in the
nelghborhood of the desirable landing
places, and whether the position in Guam
tnnamo bay now held by the MARINES, forty
miles east of Santiago, or that at Assera-
Gero which was seized several days ago by
the Cuban General Rabi ten miles west c'
the main objective point. is selected VIII
drpend largely upon the condition of tue
troops OH arrival
Its most advantageous point of debarha-
ton, under ordinary circumstances, for the
initiation OF sharp end speedy investment
Of Santiago, is found at the Carnegie Steel
conpauys wharf at Aguadores, which is
barely six miles east OF MORO cdstil, TINS
wharf being admirably adapted for landing
The heavier supplies, tn siege tram aud
horses. But the Spanlards are reported 10
have placed batteries In such a position
as to command the locality with an enfilad-
iLt fire of heavy artillery. when might
easily destroy the wharf Itself by Smelling
or create great havoc among the troops at
ter they have landed.
Possibly Admiral SIMPSONS heavier ships
might succeed in disnounting these bat
teries, but grave fears are Expressed that
the ships guns could not reach some of the
masked positions far UP on tho hills. and
the landing at this place would be eventual
ly followed by disaster.
There is wide divergence OF expert
opinion regarding the probable duration of
the military campaign, some declaring that
it will probably take week to land the
troops They have anticipated that a great
number of horses AMI mules Will die on the
voyage and that all the surviving animals
will be practically unfit for use for at least
four or five days after they regain terra
firma.
They also point out that the base of sup
plies must be thoroughly protected by
earthworks in order that It may be held by
a small force beyond the slightest posi-
bilty of capture. Roads must be built for
the transportation of essential subsistence
supplies and ammunition. as well as capa-
BILE of bearing the heavy artillery. In such
rough country the average of six or eight
miles per day will be the rate and II re-
sistance is offered, even slower. On the
other hand civilians who are familiar with
Spanish operations during the last two
years in Cuba are confident that General
Shafter will meet with only sporadic and
Intellectual attacks by scattered guerilla
bands and that the rapidity OF his invest
ment of the city and bay will both astonish
and crafty every one but the friends OF
Srajn.