Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 86, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1898 — A DECIDED VICTORY. [ARTICLE]

A DECIDED VICTORY.

Work of Shafter’s Troops Before Santiago So Regarded. VALUABLE GROUND GAINED BY THEM. Fully Prepared for the Final Strnj. arle, Which, It la Confidently Believed, Unit Bind In the Fall of the Spanish Stronghold. Washington, July 2.—The suspense which followed the receipt of Gen. Shafter’s dispatch early Friday morning announcing that a battle had been begun near Santiago was relieved at 12:30 this (Saturday) morning, when a preliminary report of the day’s operations was received by Gen. Corbin from Gen. Shafter. As had been expected by the officials of the war department the fight lasted until sundown. During the day probably it was not possible for Gen. Shafter to stop in the midst of the performance of his onerous duties to send dispatches to the department. He was seriously occupied and the work accomplished, as indicated concisely in his dispatch, clearly shows that not much grass grew under his feet during the day. The president and the war officials are immensely pleased at the information conveyed in Gen. Shafter’s message. While they learned with sincerest regret that so many of the American troops had fallen in the fight, the ground gained by the day’s conflict is regarded as u great victory. No Match for Onr Troops. The battle establishes pretty cbnclusively that the Spaniards are no match for the enthusiastic and aggressive United States troop 3. They were driven from their strong entrench-

ments in front of Santiago back into the city and the Americans are nowoccupying the entrenchments and awaiting only the dawn to resume the greater battle which will result, it is confidently believed by the war officials, in the fall of Santiago before Sunday, night and perhaps before nightfall to-day. Corbin on the Battle. Adjt. Gen. Corbin put the situation strongly and picturesquely this morning while speaking briefly of the aggressiveness and tenacity of Gen. Shatter. "The old bull dog," said he, referring thus half affectionately to the distinguished commander of the Fifth corps, "Is lying right there with his teeth In their neck, only waiting the coming of daylight to finish the work he has so magnificently begun. The engagement yesterday was very heavy for a preliminary fight, but it scores a decided victory for us. 1 regret to know that Shafter has sustained so heavy a loss, but we may hope that there are not, as he says, many killed. It Is, however, pretty certainly to be true that the loss in an engagement like that of yesterday, where the battle line extended over several miles, will be much heavier than Is Indicated by the first reports. It 1* manifestly impossible, in cases where the battle has raged all day and until dark, to ascertain with definiteness the loss sustained.” To Col Off Retreat. The military authorities here are fully considering the chances of such a retreat of the Spanish army from Santiago and are endeavoring so to shape events that Gen. Shafter's force will not only take Santiago, but will capture the 12,000 Spaniards before they get away northward to effect a juncture with Gen. Pando. Full information us ,o the possible lineß of retreat has been placed at the disposal of the war department. Germany Not Unfriendly. Assurance was given at to-day's session of the cabinet of the expectation of the administration that Germany would not interfere at Manila. There was some discussion on this point, but both the president and Secretary Day said they hail received assurances that there was no unfriendly action contemplated on the part of the German empire. TJiey expressed the belief that there was no real foundation for the reports of the unfriendly attitude of Germany and of radical steps contemplated "by that government, and indicated their personal conviction that there need Ih> no serious apprehension on that score. Several members of the cabinet apparently do not share this confidence in the German attitude. The administration has much confidence in the judgment and tact of both Admiral Dewey and Gen. Merritt. The latest advices, it was reported

to the cabinet, were that Admiral Camara’s Spanish fleet would proceed through the Suez canal on its journey to the Philippine islands. This, however, is discounted by previous expectations and preparations, and there is confidence in the arrival of the Monterey, the Monadnock and the Charleston off Manila before Camara can possibly reach there. Respects Our Blockade. Berlin, July 2. The following dispatch has been received from HongKong: “According to trustworthy intelligence from Manila the Spanish governor general had a few days ago, at his own request, a meeting with Admiral Dledrlchs (the commander of the German naval forces in the far east), in order to propose, in behalf of the Spanish government, that Manila should be handed into the provisional charge of a neutral commander. The proposal was rejected by Admiral Dledrlchs, in view of the American blockade." „ * The Manila News, via HongKong, referring to the action of Admiral Diedrichs, may be looked upon as being a semi-official note, as it was issued by the semi-official news agency here. Dewey Heard From. Washington, July 2.—The navy department received a dispatch Friday from Admiral Dewey, dated Cavite, June 27. He made no mention of reenforcements and said he had avoided committing this government to any policy and had left Gen. Merritt free. Dewey Disappointed. London, July 2. —A dispatch to the Daily Telegraph from Manila, dated Tuesday, June 28, via Hong-Kong, says: The nonarrival of the American troops has grievously disappointed Admiral Dewey, but the Americans still count on celebrating the Fourth of July in Manila. It is reported Admiral von Diederichs sent two vessels away on learning that America regarded his attitude as unfriendly. A wholly improved feeling now exists. The American officers express confidence in

their ability to dispose of any ships Spain can now send, but in view of the alleged strength of Admiral Camara’s squadron, the wish is expressed that the Americans had at least one battleship. War Feeling: Revived. Madrid, July 2. —Two cabinet councils were held Friday. A revival of the war feeling is noticeable. The clerical organs publish violent articles against the advocates of peace and the priests are preaching a war to the bitter end. The conservatives also declare against the idea of peace at the present moment.