The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-15
MORE PARLEYS.
Shafter Ordered to Assault Santiago at Enc
of Present Truce.
Joint ATTACK BEGINS TODAY
The Fleet Ready to Throw Thirteen Inch Shells Into the Chy--ToraIs
Proposition to Abandon Eastern Cuba Rejected--On Uncondi-
tonal Surrender Onr Government Offers to Send Prison
err to Spain--Y Yellow Fever in the Camp--A Block
ade Runner Wrecked-.Good News
from Dewey.
from Dewey.

Washington, D.. c., July 12.-The
impression prevailed in official circles
when public business closed for the
day that the flag Of truce set in the
Spanish lines at Santiago at 2 o'clock
yesterday afternoon was still flying,
and that negotiations continued look
ing to a surrender. The basis for
these negotiations naturally could
not be very broad, in view Of the in
junction the president aid upon Cen
erdI Shafter to accept nothing less
than unconditional surrender, but it
is supposed that time nay be On5um
ed through the indulgence Of General
Shafter in allowing the Spanish com
mander to communicate by cable with
Captain General Blanco in the effort
to Obtain his assent to the surrender.
General ToraI undoubtedly has be-
fore his eyes the indicative abuse
heaped upon the unfortunate naval
commander, Cervera. for surrendering
at all, so that he probably will be
bound by the direction of Blanco in
his own case. 1t is not generally
known that in Dor to the manly
and pathetic report by cable to Blan-
co, announcing the loss of his squad
ron, CerVera received a most harsh
and unSympathetic reply, but such is
the case. BlanCO's purpose may have
been in this way to dissuade other
Spanish commanders, military and ma
val, from surrendering under any con-
ditiOnS, and in the case of TOral it
appears that he has made a strong
impression. Nevertheless, confidence
wakes in the speedy fall of Santiago,
though many officers fear that the nest
will be Ound empty and the birds
flown when the American troops make
their entry into the town. Still, should
this be the case it may be fairly
claimed that the prime object of the
movement on Santiago, namely the
destruction of the Spanish squadron,
having been achieved, the campaign
as a whole has been successful
TO REMOVE TORPEDOES IN OUR
HARBORS.
The most important result of the
cabinet deliberations today was an or
der to remove the mines which guard
all the coast ports. This will be done
by exploding them. Many military
men were opposed to yielding to the
pressure of the commercial interests
and some of Them are predicting that
not a few of the communities which
nave Dcen so earnest IN their 0efrldlU
for the removal of the mines will be
frantically clamOring for protection
at the very first rumOr of the presence
of a hostile gunbOat or cruiser off
their coast.
The order of removal, it is said, is
to apply to localities where the inter-
ests of m demand the same.
In cases where it is safe an effort will
be made to remove the mines instead
az n~r1,Iirr +Ln,D IUIoraI0r thpro i,
any doubt they will be exploded. The
action of the sea in some instances
causes the dynamite in the iron ell
lipsOidal vessels to OOZe through the
screw threads where the plug is in
serted and unless the greatest care is
taken the removal of the plug may
cause an explosion. 1t will be some
days before the actual work of remOv-
ing or exploding the mines can De put
in operation and the question as to
what the interests Of m de-
mand will be left to the discretion of
the engineer officers having jurisdic-
ton over the various districts of the
United States. Orders for carrying
into effect the decision of the cabinet
will be sent to them Immediately.
Great care will be exercised by these
officers. While the mines prOpe are
TO be removed all the incidental at
taChmentS necessary to their INSTALL
alton and operation will be retained,
such as the classmates, anchors, the
cable connections n the S~witchbOXeS,
so if it is found necessary to place the
mines it may be done on the shortest
notice.
Before the war began our govern
ment accumulated a stock of coal
at st. Thomas. West Indies. Most of
it was ashore. but 1000 tons were on
a schooner lying in the harbOr. Twice
since the war broke out the United
States has awaited themselves of this
coal. once to supply the Minneapolis
and once the Montgomery, but as each
was bound for the nearest home port
and took only enough coal to carry
them it was fairly assumed there had
been no breach of neutrality. However,
it appears that there is now a DISPOSE
ton exhibited by the Danish authori-
ties to prevent the United states from
using this coal, and as there il no
question of their right to lay down
such a rule. the coal itself probably
will be let alone. Fortunately there
is no particular need of it, as there are
other means of COaling the fleet now
in use. The incident is one which will
be used as a strong argument for the
establishment of cOaling stations in
various parts of the globe for the ben
eft of the United States navy.
NO PEACE OVERTURES.
Although the statement has been re-
peated day after day that no overtures
have yet been made to our government
for peace, it may. be repeated once
more in view of the express denial
given at the state department to such
stories emanating from European
sources as seek to create the impress
sion tha the United States govern
ment or any of it's representatives has
nod ~ roNx-a - thic 6irantinn Tho
fact is today as it has been: The first
overtures in the direction of peace
must come from Spain, directly or in
directly
A GLOWING TRIBUTE TO OUR
SOLDIERS.
Major de Grandprey, military at
tache of the French embassy, has just
returned from the American head
nuarterS near Santiago. where he has