The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-05
Headquarters.

Washington, June 3O.-The situation
at the close Of the day was described
by Secretary AIger as being such as to
warrant him in entertaining the ex-
pectation of important news at any
moment.
Secretary Alger was very much graf
fled when he learned today that d.
rect telegraphic communication now
existed between Washington and Cen
eral Skaters headquarters at Siboney
Heretofore all messages from the gen.
era have been delayed twenty-four
hours, owing to the necessity of send
ing 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 hat to that end part of
Skaters force is to Immediately
upon Moro castle to capture the
forts and enable the naval launches to
open the gateway into the harbor by
a it6 YIN IN AH~ ~
of the vessels while in Guantanamo
harbor in pulling up the mines there
is expected to very much facilitate
similar work at Santiago.
No telegram came to the war depart
ment today from General Shafter and
the understanding here is hat he is
employing his time to the best adVan-
tage in taking his artillery and max
ing all ready for the final assault upon
Santiago. 1t is not known how far
the Spanish reinforcements have ad-
vanced since yesterday, but General
Shafter has full knowledge of their
movements, and it is believed is not
likely to delay his attack until they
have strengthened the garrisons e,
Santiago by uniting with Linares.
DELAY IN SENDING REINFORCE
MENTS.
The second expedition from Tampa
to reinforce Shafter appears to have
encountered almost as many difficult
ties as the original expedition in get
ting away. 1t was confidently expect
ed 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 was
with a feeling of relief that the news
came to the department from Tampa
that the flagship of the expedition, the
Hudson, has swung out into the
stream and was ready to lead the pro-
cession of transports, which 1T is be-
lieved by this time, are under way,
bound for Santiago.
t TO CONTINUE SENDING REIN
FORCEMENTS.
. 1t is calculated that the second in
stallment of the reinforcements dis
patched to Shafter from Camp Alger
via steamer from Newport News, Va,
reached him today on the Harvard
and the steamer Yale is expected at
Newport News day after tomorrow,
returning from her first trip with
Dufield's soldiers, to take more rein
forcements, probably including Gar
retson's battalion. h department is
thoroughly satisfied with the success
attending this method Of transporting
the troops from Camp Alger, having
found it to be not only much more
economical thar the combined rail
and water route via Tampa, but more
expeditions. The steamers will be
further availed of, in pursuance of
Secretary Ayers intention, to continue
to dispatch reinforcement after rein
fOrcement to Shafter until he has an
~overpowering force at his command.
Major General Coppinger is not to
go to Santiago with any of these ad-
OlIlOIldI IOICeS. 1 10 SCIllol ~ SCl
eral Shafter, and if sent to Santiago,
by virtue of the army regulations,
would assume command of the army
in front of that place. Therefore, it
is likely that he will be reserved for
the m of the Porto Rican ex-
petition.
OUR EASTERN SQUADRON.
It was announced at the navy de-
~ ptnonn thiS nftnCnnnn thot tho
Spanish Cadiz squadron has paid the
heavy Suez ANAL tolls and was about
to proceed eastward through the ca
nal, though this statement was prob
ably erroneous, in view of the later
reports to the press indicating that
the Spanish vessels were stopping for
repairs. The advices only FASTENED
the preparations making for the de-
parture of Commodore WatsOn's east
ern squadron. The commodore had
reported to the navy department his
arrival off Santiago and is in consul
tation with Admiral Sampson respect
ing the details of the cruise, which it
is expected will occupy fully four
months, provided the war endures that
length of time. The delays to which
the Spaniards are subject at Port
Said will rebound very greatly to the
advantage of Admiral Dewey if Ca
mara is still in reality bound for the
philippines, for they ensure the ar
rival of almost the whole of General
Merritt's military force and almost
certainly the cruiser Charleston and
the monitors Monterey and Monad-
mock before the Spanish squadron
could reach Manila harbor.
QUESTION OF USING BALLOONS.
The reports from Santiago as to
accommodating parties and efforts OF
our officers to take observations of the
city leads to the belief at the war de-
partment that a big balloon may be
utilized by General Shafter as a
means of surveying Santiago and all
the surrounding country. Genera
Greedy, chief signal officer, sent a com
plete balloon train with General Shat
ter's expedition and it is now available
for use on the field if General Shafter
desires this mode of observation. These
balloon observations are in vogue with
foreign military bodies, but it is
thought h a General Shafter may not
feel disposed on the eve of a big fight