Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-07-02
EARLY FIGHT SURE.
Shafter Expected to Begin at Once
His Attack on Santiago.
Opposing Armies Compared-Gsn. Linasss'
Tact In Failing Back-Gen. shafter
Lands Hts Artillery, but Empha-
, sizes His Need of Horses.

sizes Hls Need of Horses
WASHINGTON, June 30.-The opinion
prevails here that within n day or two
NJ most Gen. Shafter will have begun
mis- attack upon the city of Santiag,
proper. The important event of yes
terday was the general announcement
that he could take the city in 4s hours
but at considerable loss. Taken II
connection with the announcement
contained in another dispatch that hi
Is going to attack without awaiting
reinforcements, It will be seen that
the officials have ground for their ex.
pectatton that the first general en-.
xagement OF the war will begin in q
very short time,
Numerically, the opposing armies
IRE not very different, the estimate OF
the Spanish force being placed at a.
00O men, thoroughly intrenched and
behind barbed wire fences and block.
houses, us against about $4,000 men
under Skaters command, aided by
1000 Cubans One OF the gravest ele-
ments in the problem, however, is the
Spanish warships, for unless Shafter
rs materially assisted by Sampson,
who might engage the full attention
'of the Spanish ships, their fire upon
the American advance would be very
hard to meet.
The military authorities here say
that Gen. Linares has shown great
military tact in slowly retiring during
the last few days, rs he has gradually
drawn our troops from the protection
of the American ships and brought
them close to the fire of the Spanish
Ships in Santiago harbor. For this
reason, 1t was with relief that the an-
mouncement was received here that
'Shafter had succeeded in landing nil
of his artillery, including his siege
train, for unless Sampson can be relied
upon to force his way into the harbor
and attack the Spanish ships, the
siege guns planted on heights COM
manding the bay will be the main re.
liance of Gen. Shafterin offsetting the
presence of the Spanish ironclads.
Undoubtedly Shafter is animated to
attack MS soon us possible by his
knowledge Of the approach Of the re.
Endorsements for Linarcs from Man.
zanillo, for. with this additional force,
Skaters position would be disagree.
able, IL not perilous, Mt least until he
had received reinforcemcnts The war
department received the first definite
news yesterday as to the approach of
these Spanish achievements. This
was in an official dispatch, stating
that 5000 men, with pack trains and
drovcs of animals, were advancing
from Manzanillo and were "a
miles from Santiago. II has been
known, through reports from Lieut..
Joyce, made to Gen. Miles, that the
Spaniards have $4,000 men ut Man
zanillo and 10, 900 ct llolguin and every
precaution has been taken to guard |
against their advance from either |
quarter. The official report yesterday
showed that 5000 of those at Man.
zaniilo had covered half the distance
to Santiago and it is the belief OF mill. |
1Ary officials here that Gen. Pando Is
making similar advance with his
10000 men from Holguin. These adj
vances, now practically unopposed,
are regarded rs one of the most serious
phases OF the situation.
Gen. Skaters various dispatches
contain much information on other
features OF the military situation. lie
expresses the warmest thanks for the
congratulations sent to him by the
president, through Secretary Alger,
and those Of the commanding general,
Gen. Miles, though he modestly refers
to the recent affair in which the rough
riders and cavalrymen participated as
unimportant lie says only 046 of our
mon were engaged, but it was very de-
cisive in our favor, the enemy retreat
ing precipitately. Gen. Shafter says
that the lack of cavalry was all that
prevented the capture of the Spanish
forces. He expressed the deepest re-
greet ut the loss OF so many of our
brave men. He emphasizes the need
Of horses In particular he wants
horses for the Third battalion of the
First cavalry and for Col. Woods
rough riders. He says the horses he
carried on the expedition stood the
voyage well. Il
One of the most satisfactory points
by Gen. Shafter is that the
last Of the artillery had been landed.
This means o great deal, Us 1t was
feared the loss of the lighter would Sc.
riously delay the landing OF the heavy
artillery. He does not specify that
the heavy guns as well as the light ar
tillery were landed, but his statement
that the last OF the artillery was landed
Is taken to cover all of the ordnance.
With these siege guns ON shore Gen.
Shafter Is now in position to support
the infantry aud cavalry with the big
guns OF the heavy artillery, as we'll as ,,
the lighter field guns