The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-14
has finally and definitely refused to ac-
cept Skaters proposal for an uncon-
ditional surrender, and the American

tiago at noon yesterday. 1t went in
the form of a terse note in which the
general pointed out the hopelessness
of the Spanish position, surrounded by
the American troops and cut off from
reinforcements, and without means
to combat our fleet, which can hurl
shells by the hundred into the heart
Of the city Unconditional surrender,
1t was declared, was the only terms to
be considered and only prompt &C
ceptance of these terms could save the
Spanish forces and innocent citizens
from awful slaughter.
The firing which has been going on
at intervals since Sunday afternoon
was ordered stopped when the flag Of
truce started for the Spanish lines and
has not been resumed since. No at
tention was paid to Gen. Skaters COM
munication until shortly after O'Clock
this morning, when a reply came un-
der flag of truce. Gen. Toral was as
brief as his foe, saying In effect that
If the Americans wanted Santiago they
could come and get it. He declared
unconditional surrender to be entirely
beyond reason and possibility, and iex-
pressed himself as ready to meet an
attack at any time the invading army
saw fit to make one.
PREPARING TO ASSAULT.
Gen. Shafter accepted the answer as
final, and. although no firing was or
dered, he Immediately began prepara-
tions for the coming struggle. Gen.
Randolph's ten light batteries We're Or
dered rushed from the landing place at
Juragua, and a change in the lines was
made. Gen. LaWtons entire division
was moved to the northward a mile
and half, his extreme right being
placed at Caimenes. on the border of
the harbor. This movement places the
American forces in semi-circle, and
cutting off the retreat Of the Spaniards
the waters edge.
The little town Of Caimenes was
evacuated by the Spanish troops yes
terday, and Is now occupied by the
Cuban troops with a few companies of
regulars.
Its occupation is most important to
the American forces, as 1t completes
the semi-circle from water to water
line. and hens the city in. It was a
great blunder on the part of the Span
ish to desert the place without strug-
gle, as with it Gen. Lawton flanks
them completely.
Near this point the Spanish left lies,
and this flank has been known to be
the weakest portion Of their lines. Dur
ing the weeks truce they have been
cfr ,crfI he ,i,,or h,,t
ments at this point have ben construct
ed raggedly and apparently without
definite plan. Gen. Lawton anticipates
little difficulty in driving the Spaniards
from their positions.
Under the present plans the Amer
lean army and navy will begin the at
tack at the same time The fleet will
hurl shells into the city, while the great
coil Of American soldiers will gradually
tighten about the Spanish positions
the divisions advancing from all along
the line. AS the semi-circle narrows
the batteries in the rear will maintain
heavy fire. The American officers feel
confident the city can withstand this
terrible assault but short time 81.
Hines battery yesterday did some
filing ON the bull ring at the northern
end Of the city and also on the
trenches. The shrapnel seemed to have
little effect on the Spaniards in the
trenches, and apparently did very lit
tie damage.
Gen. Miles went to the front today
and probably will remain there the
greater part of tomorrow. He went
ashore early this morning and telc-
phoned to Gen. Shafter. The latter
advised him not to start out until lat
er, as the roads were in frightful
condition from the rains and badly
blocked by supply trains The gem
eral waited until noon and then set
out, accompanied by Troop A, of the
Second cavalry, the only mounted
troop Of Cen Shafter's army. It was
raining heavily when the start was
made. The general was attired in a
long black macintosh and wore rub
Der riding boots and a black SLOUGH
hat, ornamented with narrow strand
of gilt cord. Owing to the deep mud.
1T was almost dark when he reached
the front.
Gen. Miles was much interested in
the war maps and information re-
garding the trails and the chances Of
getting artillery to the front. His
Journey was very trying one, owing
to the rain and mud. the latter in
many places being up to the horses
knees.
WORST OF THE CAMPAIGN.
The last two days have been the
worst of the campaign, so far as the
weather is concerned. Fierce, tropical
thunderstorms have been FREQUENT
with an almost continuous downpour
Of rain. The rifle pits and trenches
at the front have been flooded, and
last night few men in the besieging
army were able to sleep, owing to
the amount of water on the ground,
The already heavy hardships endured
have been increased, and much i'll
ness is likely to result, as no adequate
shelter is possible.
The trail to the front is in frightful
shape. The streams and the forts
are swollen, and the soft soil Is cut
into almost impossible shape by the
wheels Of the supply wagons. One of
Gen. Randolph's light batteries oc-
cupied whole day in getting to the
front
The rain is coming down in torrents
tonight and thunderstorm is raging
along the coast. If the storm continues
1t is likely to delay operations Serious
ly.
ho