Show SHAFTER TO Heavy Hell ff avy Y General Gener ll Replies Rep ies to the th Spaniard d TELLS OF POSSIBILITIES c SAYS A ANTAS TASK HAVE HAVEl DEEN BE San Francisco Nov 17 l Major i ajor Gi hertl i h eral ertl eral William R H Shatter h fter when hen a h to comment on Uen General ral Wey s clam cIsm of the Spanish conduct of the te Jl war warin r rin in Cuba was not inclined to take tak Wey Way lers assertions seriously He said sal that evidently WeylEr r was W 8 talking for ef or effect t feet as every military man f the Spaniards in Cuba without the alit aId of f a fleet to prevent the landing lon of In Invaders Invaders In any required number could couta not have held the Inland against the Americans General Shafter added I 1 do not care to of general record in Cuba or whether or not he has received unjust censure C uIt It is very vel well wen known that the th force torca of Spain In Cuba outnumbered ered by sew sev several sewera ev everal eral era times the force landed for the re of Santiago but there w were re but few available to operate against the American troops What Rave Have Been Deen Had the troops stationed at other points not nob far fan from flom SantIago promptly moved to the attack of the Fifth Firth army corps the difficulties of the Americans would have been greatly in increased increased increased creased but I do not think they could have hwe been bean driven into the sea It is possible however that i if these theme troops had bad cooperated with the troops that did reinforce the troops of San Santiago tiago on the night of July 2 in making a vigorous attack they might have placed the American army on the de tie d for a few days but the ultimate capture of Santiago could only have been delayed General Linares tele telegrams tel grams to his government as to the con of affairs clearly Indicate this Fleet Held the Key K y That the the fleet was necessary r for the tl preservation of Swinish possession on In Cuba was clearly shown by the fact fa t that immediately after its destruction and the surrender of of the soldiers then In Cuba overtures for Jor peace p ace were commenced co n the island be i ing tog then absolutely at the mercy of the American army and navy I Results are more conclusive th than n I theories and what General Weyler r might or might not have done is a matter which appears to be of very velY i little interest at this time |