The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-17
He Insisted that Consent of Madrid
Authorities Was Necessary, but
General Shafter stood Firm.
AGREEMENT FINALLY SIGNED
BUT LATER REFERRED TO THE
SPANISH GOVERNMENT.
Incidents of the NegOtiatiOns-BOth
from Linares to Shafter.
tcopyrlght. 1sss, BY the Assoelatea PRESS

Copyright. 1898. by the Associated Press)
AT GENERAL WHEELER'S HEAD
| QUARTERS, before Santiago de Cuba,
July Is, 10 a. m, via Kingston, Jamaica,
July 16, 7:25 a. m.-The preliminary ar
rangement of the basis of the capitulation
of the Spanish forces in Santiago de Cuba
was agreed to and signed under pictur-
esque ceiba tree, between the lines, shortly
after midnight Our commissioners were
Invited to enter the city by those repre-
senting General Toral, but the invitation
was declined and the conference was held
under the spreading ceiba, just such a tree
under which Columbus assisted In the cee-
bration of mass at his first landing in Cuba,
near Havana.
AT the very outset a hitch occurred ow-
ing to misunderstanding of what was said
at the personal interview between General
Shafter and General Toral at noon. At that
time our interpreter, translating the LAM
guage of General Toral, had given Generals
Shafter, Miles and Wheeler distinctly to UNI
derstand that Captain General Blanco had
consented that the commissioners should
have plenary power to negotiate the terms
of surrender, such terms as they agreed on
to be binding on both parties Something
was said about notification to the Madrid
COVE, mt, but General Shafter insisted
thai capitulation had been actually
agr and that no further consent of the
Ma government was required
Wnen the commissioners met, shortly aft
er o'clock in the afterroon those in be-
half of General Toral General Escario.
Lieutenant Colonel Fortan and Robert Ma
son, the British vice consul) combated at
once the idea that the cspitulation had, in
e. mn
Madrid. they insisted, was still necessary.
But, at the same time, they claimed strong
ly that it would be forthcoming, as Captain
General Blanco had authorized it. and the
home government would do the same. Gen.
Toral, who was personally present, and
who, in fact, directed the negotiations ON
his own behalf, said he had never been
overruled by the captain general. Still. he
added, until Madrid had sanctioned 1t San
tiago had not capitulated.
All this was extremely unsatisfactory to
our commissioners, who clung tenaciously
to the understanding General Shafter had
received earlier in the day. Finally with
the question of whether or not the Spanish
forces had actually surrendered still open,
the commissioners proceeded to considera-
tion of the preliminaries.
Captain Mley had drawn up thirteen arti-
cles of a general nature, and these were
submitted to General Toral, personally. lie
made a strong appeal that the word "capit-
ulation" be used instead of the harsher
term, Surrender" and that his army be
allowed to march out, the officers with their
side arms and the men with their small
arms. He said the arms could afterwards
be sent to Spain either on the same ships
with the troops. or some other ships. Gem
f,tV.f I4ox lrnI ft,of Il
pected our commissioners, as. represents
tives of brave and chivalrous people,
would not seek to humiliate his army. or
make it appear that he was vanqushed.
AS brave men, his soldiers desired to go
home with honor. They had simply yielded
to superior force, and they would prefer
dying to going home without their honor.
Our commissioners could not resist this ap-
peal. but they said it lay beyond the terms
laid down by our government, and they
could only recommend the matter to Wash
ington. At o'clock General Toral returned
to the city to consult with General Linares.
General Toral and the Spanish commits
sioners returned at $3.50 saying they desired
a still further change in the phrase of the
articles and suggested postponement of
the negotiations until morning. This Gem
eral Wheeler firmly declined. Thereupon a
recess was taken until $3.50. The commits
sioners returned at that hour and the arti-
cles were again gone over in detail. Va
rious changes of verbiage, which tended
only to soften the sound Of the terms with
out affecting the sense, were proposed by
the Spaniards and our commissioners ac-
cepted practically all of them.
Shortly after midnight General Wheeler
suggested that the good faith of the Span
ish commissioners be tested. All the arti-
cles were reread and each commissioner in
turn was asked if they were satisfactory.
When they replied in the affirmative Gem
eral Wheeler asked them to affix their Sig
natures. This they appeared reluctant to
do, but they could not well refuse. When
all had signed the commissioners separated.
to meet again at $3.50 in the morning.
The present municipal authorities are to
continue in control of the city until the
Spanish troops are embarked. The Spanish
troops from other points are to be en-
barked at the nearest points. Refugees are
to return to their homes, but not until the
sanction of Madrid Is received, and the same
applies 10 the removal OF the obstructons
at the mouth of the harbor. Pending this.
however, Miss Clara Barton and the Red
Cross agents. with supplies, are to be al
lowed 10 enter the city over the line OF the
Juragua Railroad The water which was
cut IS to be repaired to-day. No cubans
are to bN allowed to enter the city. All the
artillery and batteries at the harbor en-
trance are 10 be left intact. and we are 10
obtain possession of the gunboat In the har-
bor.
General Shafter said this morning. re-
ferring to the situation: THE Spanlards