The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-15
Stuck to His Refusal to Give Up
His Arms.
PREPARED TO DIE AT POST
LinareS Likely to Lose His Arm at
the Shoulder.

Gen. Wheeler's Headquarters, Before
Santiago de Cuba, July 13, 4 D. M. via
Kingston, July IA, 1:S0 p. m.--White flags
still flutter over the opposing lines. The
truce has been extended until tomorrow
noon and negotiations looking to the sur
render of Santiago are proceeding Both
sides have yielded somewhat
Gen. Toral, the Spanish commander,
realizes the hopelessness of further resist
ance and the American commanding gem
eral shafter, is inclined to reduce the
harshness of the terms which at first pro-
posed to impose upon the enemy.
1t appears that on Monday Gen. shafter
did not again demand the unconditional
surrender which Gen. Toral had refused
on Sunday, but offered as an alternative
proposition to accept the capitulation OF
the enemy and to transport the Spanish
officers and troops to Spain. they to leave
all their arms behind and he to accept
their parole
This proposition Gen. Toral declined
yesterday.
This morning 1t was decided to hold
personal interview with Gen. Torai. Gen
Miles and his staff, who got no further
than Gen. Skaters headquarters last
night, accompanied by Gen. shafter and
his staff, rode out to the front shortly
before o'clock, under a flag of truce.
A personal interview with the
Spanish commander in chief was re-
quested and acceded to, and about O'Clock
Gen. Miles, Gen. shafter, Gen Wheeler,
Gen. Gilmour, Col. Morse, Capt. Wiley
and Col Maus rode up, passed over our
intrenchments and went down into the
valley beyond. They we're met by Gen.
Toral and his chief Of staff under a
spreading mango tree at the bottom Of the
valley about half way between the lines.
The interview that followed lasted an
hour. The situation was placed frankly
before Gen Toral, and he wac offered the
alternative of being sent home with his
garrison or leaving Santiago province, the
only condition imposed being that he
should not destroy the existing fortihca-
tions and should leave his arms behind.
This latter condition the Spanish gem
eral who does not speak English. explain
ed through his interpreter, was impossible.
The laws of Spain gave a general no dis
erection. He might abandon a place when
he found it untenable but he could not
leave his arms behind without subjecting
himself to the penalty Of being court
martialed and shot. His government, he
said. hadMranted him permission to evac-
uate Santiago. That was all. Further
than that he was powerless to go.
Without saying so In words. Gen. Miles
said the tenor of Gen. Torars remarks all
betrayed his realization that he could not
hold out long. When Gen. Shafter ex-
planned that our reiRforcements were com
Ing up, that he was completely surrounded
and new batteries were being posted, Gen.
Toral simply shrugged his shoulders.
'I am but subordinate" he said, "and
I obey my government. If 1t is necessary
we can die at our posts"
Gen. Toral is a man Of 60 years Of age,
With a strong, rugged face. and fine SOL
iierly bearing His brave words inspired
l feeling Of respect and admiration ia the
hearts Of his adversarles
Nevertheless the Spanish generals anx-
ETY. to avoid further sacrifice Of life In his
command was manifest, and he did not
hesitate to ask for lime to communicate
he situation to Madrid, although he du-
'iously shook his head when he spoke Of
he probable response.
In the course of an interview, Gen. To-
al said the bombardment- Of Sunday ard
Monday had done Iifte damage He ad-
ntted that shells from the guns Of the
ieet had destroyed four houses, but he
asserted that only half a dozen soldiers |
If the garrison had been injured
Ffe also volunteered the Information
when Gen. Niles CALAMITY inquired after
len. Linares' wound, that the latter
would probably necessitate the amputa-
ion Of his left arm az the shoulder.
Gen. Miles, at the interview, did not at
empt to assume the direction OF the ne |
rotations. but as general Of the United /
states army he vouched for the condi- /
ions Gen. Shafter offered.
Upon the return Of our commanders 10 |
he American lines an important consul |
alton was held at Gen. Wheeler's head I
quarters.
Gems Garcia and Castillo, with their
taffs, had ridden around from the ex- 4
RENE right to see Gen. Miles Ii was q 4
Ioiable group gathered under the pro- 1
Getting awning OF Gen. Wheeler's tent.
Gen. Miles, In blue fatigue uniform. 4
gith the double star at his shoulders ard [
lis CAMPAIGN hat encircled ~ single
(Conffnued estl sixth Paual