CONFLICT AT SANTIAGO.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 136, 10 June 1898, Page 5

CONFLICT AT SANTIAGO.

DEFENDED BY 4.500

-SPANISH TROOPS.

CAIMAMERA BOMBARDED.

SPANIARDS FLEE TO THE INTERIOR.

AMERICAN TROOPS LEAVE FOR CUBA.

WASHINGTON, June 9

Four thousand Spanish regulars and 500 volunteers are engaged in the defence of Santiago de Cuba.

Reports from Cape Hay teen state that a severe engagement took place on Tuesday at Caimamera, 40 miles south-east of Santiago de Cuba.

Five American warships bombarded ths place until the Spaniards abandoned the forts and tied into the interior.

Twenty-nine transports with 27,000 American troops and large supplies of ammunition have sailed from Tampa, and are expected to laud on Saturday, •when an attack on Admiral Cerveras" fleet will follow.

Six hundred and fifty marines have been sent, to reinforce. Admiral Sampson,

General Shafter commands the Santiago contingent, and General Coppinger the Puerto Rico force.

The Santiago force comprises:—lnfantry, 10 regiments of regulars, and 11 regiments of volunteers; cavalry, five squadrons; artillerj', six batteries. The plans of the War Department for sending arms and ammunition to the insurgent army in Cuba under the escort of the United Stales troops have been practically completed. The expedition will be landed in two divisions. The man to command the expedition is Brigadier-General William Shatter, previously commanding the troops mobilised at New Orleans. There are several resons for selecting' General Shafter for this mission. One reason is that the force will be made pp almost entirely of ' infantry, and judged by his record there is no better'infantry officer in the army. The vessels to be used for transporting the expedition to Cuba will be, according to the present plan, the steamers of the Plant system, laid up &t .Tampa. These steamers have been idle since the opening of hostilities, and could, be got ready on short notice for use as transports. When the expedition embarks the landing °n Cuban soil will be made under the guns of a sufficient number of American warships to protect the troops from a land attack. Unless all plans miscarry, as soon as the American troops land the forces of Gomez and Garcia will have taken such a position that immediate communication can. be established between the insurgents and General Shafter.