Show MAY CAPTURE SANTIAGO I Sampson Now Has Sufficient Force at His Disposal Washington June 9It was pointed out today by a naval officer that Admiral Ad-miral Sampson since the arrival of the marine battalion on the Panther has at his disposal what he may regard as a sufficient force of men to capture > in tiago even before the troops arrive The SOO marines on the Panther l deled to the marines ajready with the fleet would make a total of about 1500 men Without impairing the efficiency of his I ships Admiral Sampson could spare 1000 bluejackets for a landing party i and with this total force of 2500 if the j i i I I insurgents who have been armed by the United States government do their share it seems possible for Sampson 1 to capture Santiago at short notice i There seems to be a very decided air of expectation this afternoon among the officials who are acquainted with the government plan in the campaign that almost warranted a conclusion that an engagement of some kind was expected today Naval officers aro confident that with his small but well disciplined landing force Admiral Sampson will be able immediately im-mediately tp uike possession of such points in the neighborhood of Santiago as he may deem necessary to serve as abase a-base for the occupation of the regular I United States troops when they arrive With the marines in possession of the beach and the American warships with their shells clearing the country behind there will be little danger in effecting the landing of the troops Though no official I offi-cial confirmation has yet reached the navy department of the newspaper reports that came from Sampsons fleet to the I effect that he landed marines at Caimar ena and that they are still in possession of a strategic stronghold on the hills I near by the naval officers here are inclined in-clined to accept as accurate the reports I They feel a pride in the fact that the I navy through its marine adjunct has I earned the distinction of having been the first to occupy territory in Cuba The marines who effected this notable feat were drawn it Is believed from the whole fleet and were perfectly capable and disciplined troops |