The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-23
GEN. BLANCO EXPLAINS
HE TELLS WHY SANTIAGO WAS COM
PEELED TO CAPITULATE.
Proclamation That Belittles the I'M
pOrtance of the American Victory
Spaniards Eager for Battle.

HAVANA, July 22.-Captain General Blan-
co has issued the following proclamation
announcing the capitulation of Santiago.
1t is dated Havana, July IL:
after three months of heroic defense and
many bloody combats, owing to a scarcity
of ammunition and victuals the garrison of
Santiago has been forced to capitulate I'M
der honorable conditions and with all the
honors of war. This occurred on the day of
July 16, when it was recognized by the brave
Spanish general of division, who was act
ing commander of the place, that resistance
was useless, and that he could no longer
hold the place. Notwithstanding that rein
forcements had been possible, and that, al
though he should receive such from Man
zanillo, and although he could infiict fur
ther losses and might put the city in bet
ter condition of defense, he was still face to
face with the fact that reinforcements
would only make further inroads on the al
ready greatly consumed and nearly ex-
hausted store of provisions of the Spanish
garrison. The city was thus placed in a
very lamentable condition The situation
was anticipated, but it caused great depres-
sion to the Spanish forces.
1.-The occupation of the city of Santiago by
the military forces of the Americans is lack
ing in strategic Importance, owing to the
fact that the city had previously been close
ly blockaded for long time by the Amer
lean ships, and will have little or no effect
on the future development of the Spanish
campaign which is to decide Spains fate
The Spanish army is intact and eager for
victory. 1t is willing to measure arms with
the Americans, and in this army the King
of Spain, the Spanish government and the
hn1 Ia 1frxv v,I., he +1,o
tense at any cost of the integrity of Span
ish territory and the honor of Spain's i'm
maculate flag. This army is sure to be tri-
umphant and victorious at the last, in spite
of SO many dangers and impediments, and
that it will show once more the indomita BILE
Spanish character and the well-known mill
tary skill of our people is the hope and ex-
pectation of your general-in-chief.
"BLANCO"
On the morning of July Is several Ameri-
can war ships appeared before Manzaniilo
Among them were two monitors The Span
ish fotilla, consisting of three transports,
was there; but had very little ammunition
and was much inferior in force to the
Americans. The Spanish transports were
fired upon by the Americans and We're
stranded on the beach. The Spanish sailors
went ashore and occupied the land trenches,
opening very lively fire upon the Ameri-
can boats and after two hours the American
SHIPS Withdrew. AT ii O'clock in the morn
ing they were still in sight. They had fired
$50 shots of various caliber. The Spanish
forces lost three soldiers killed and three
officers and twelve soldiers wounded. The
Spanish fiotilla was commanded by Naval
Lieutenant joaquin Gomez Capt. Gen.
Blanco publicly congratulated every one
who took part in the defense and notified
the commander of the garrison, Sanchez
Parron, that he must defend the place to
the very last.
On the evening of Tuesday, the 18th inst
Havana battery No. 4 fired four shells at
an American blockading gunboat, but with
out effect. On the morning of July 20 there
were three American boats and one cruiser
before Havana. four ships at Cardenas and
one at Cienfuegos.
The recent amnesty absolution adopted by
the colonial authorities has been extended
to the province of Pinar del Rio anG the
city of Cardenas and the following political
prisoners have been pardoned and released
from imprisonment: Manuel Diaz, GOWN,
Andres, Perez Santos Cecillo, Garcia, Car
menati, Felix, Moral and Otero
Yesterday the American ships which had
bombarded Manzauillo and destroyed the
fiotilla there appeared off Cape Cruz and
opened fire on the signal tower at Cay
Nuevo A shell exploded in the tower. caus-
ing damage to the instruments and setting
fire TO the papers. which was extinguished
without great damage by the operators