The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-06-04
SIEGE OF SANTIAGO
Preparations Evidently Being Made
for a Great Fight.
OUR SHIPS STILL GUARD THE HARBOR

qnsurgent Troops Gather ON the Hills
Ready to Cooperate with schley's
Squadron - The Latest About
Wednesdays Battle.
Cape Haytien, June "A special from
Santiago confirming news of Tuesdays
bombardment says that great events
are expected hourly there. The Ameri-
gan warships are in front of the har-
Dor. The insurgents are gathering on
the hills. The Spanish have taken ex,
traordinary precautions to guard the
harbor entrance.
A dispatch from Santiago says,
"Wednesday morning the American
Squadron reappeared off Santiago, but
pontented itself with firing two shots.
(which are believed to have been signals
agreed upon with the insurgents, who.
numbering 1000 or 5000, are said to
have concentrated three or four miles
from Santiago. Great events are ex-
Pected hourly at Santiago. The Span.
hsh authorities have taken extraordi.
hary precautions and have placed in
the narrow pass at the entrance of the
harbor special contrivances which per-
init the closing and opening of the port
1t will.
Claims Defeat for Americans.
Madrid, June 2.-In the senate
"wednesday Count Cast Valencia asked
II 1.-The news of the American repulse
ht Santiago de Cuba was official" The
minister of marine, Capt. Aunon, re-
piled affirmatively, adding: "The news
Us a good augury for further victories.
which the courage and high merit of our
sailors give reason to hope for" The
senate then quickly "noted with salts,
faction the brilliant victory of the Span
ish feet"
Official Report from Madrid.
! Madrid. June 2.-The minister of ma
zine, Capt. Aunon, on leaving the pal.
ace Wednesday afternoon after visit
to the queen, said:
The American squadron has lombard
Ied and tried to force the Santiago forts
which replied vigorously. The Cristobal
Colon advanced to the mouth of the iar-
Dor. exchanging shots with the enemy, who
fired 70 shots against the forts. The dam.
age done is not reported. The Colon hit
an auxiliary American ship. damaging 1t.
The Colon was not hurt. Further details
are withheld
Official Dispatch from Havana.
Madrid, June 2.-The following un-
dated official dispatch from Havana has
been received here:
I 1.-THE American squadron commanded bv
Commodore Schley, composed of large
1ronclads and cruisers, attacked the forti-
fications at the entrance Of Santiago de
Cuba: Our ironclad Cristobal Colon, clos
ha Of <1,a
ed by the fire Of the forts, repused the
attack, causing damage to the enemy.
"(signeI MANTEROLA."
Admiral Manteroa is the officer in
command of the regular Spanish fleet
in Cuban waters.
story to New York Paper.
New York, June Am Evening Jour
nal special from Cape Haytien says:
The torpedo boat Porter arrived at
Mole St. Nicholas at one o'clock Wednes-
day morning with dispatches for
Washington. She left Immediately.
But before going to sea the following
story Of the bombardment of Santiago
de Cuba, the refuge of Cervera and the
Spanish fleet, was obtained by your
correspondent at the Mole:
lU6 american SuuuuTOIl, duS1 nenCGu Oy
the torpedo boat Porter, the auxiliary
cruiser st. Paul and the protected cruiser
New Orleans, approached the entrance to
the harbor OF Santiago at about 12 80 p. M,
the Iowa leading.
Inside the entrance to the harbor was
seen one Of the warships Of Cervera' 8 fleet
stripped for action.
, AS the American fleet drew near, the
New Orleans was detached and steamed
forward ahead Of the Iowa, Texas and
Massachusetts,: One of the forts opened
fre on her and she replied, the other two
ships directing their fire at the battery
On the Funta Gorda, within the harbor
end to westward OF the position occupied
by the Spanish ship. The latter replied to
the fire and Immediately became q target
Tor all the American ships engaged in the
battle
She retired behind protecting head
land and was not seen again during tho
engagement
Bob" Evans: the Massachusetts, Capt F.
y. Higginson: the Texas. Capt. J. W.
Phillip, and the New Orleans. Capt. Will
liam NJ. Folger, kept up their terrific fire
against the Moro. Socapa and Punta
Gorda forts for two hours, their projectiles
of enormous size doing tremendous dam
age to the defenses of the harbor.
The masonry of Socapa and Moro was
battered almost into dust, and the forms
Of Spanish artillerymen and infantry could
~ plainly SEcu uylilS " Sdlely DenlHQ inc
heighboring hills
! The auxiliary cruiser which Joined
Schley's fleet just before the battle took
place was hit by shells from the forts and
1t Is thought. was seriously damaged.
After seeking the protection Of tutting
headland. the Spanish warships continued
TO fire projectiles over the hills toward
the feet, but they had no range, nor even
direction, to their shots and the shells fell
harmlessly into the sea.
That the number Of killed and wounded
on the Spanish side is enormous no ono
doubts. for time and again the American
shells hit the batteries squarely, and amid
the flying masonry and dismantled guns
the forms Of men. were seen.
The damage done to the American fleet
cannot be learned. but 1t is not thought
any person was killed-if, indeed, anyone
was wounded.
a Valuable Prize.
New York, June "A Journal bulle-.
tin from Key West says: The Spanish
troopship Alfonso XIII. has been cap
tured off the eastern coast of Cuba.
Seventeen shots were fired at her be-,
tore she surrendered. She is the most
valuable prize of the war.
Key West, Fla, June 2.-The last re-
port received from Commodore Schley,
1s1ad Saturday pirht cold po4b3pr