The times., 1898-07-09


where they began work at about
O'Clock
Nothing had been heard from Madrid
up to the time the New York Suns
dispatch boat left siboney for Jamaica TO
file this dispatch. A reply is not ex-
pected until late tomorrow or Saturday.
Ready 10 CapftuIate.
The action of Gen. ToraI in seeking
authority 10 surrender the city is 40
surprise TO the Americans. The stories
told by prisoners captured since the two
days fight all indicate that the city is
ready to capitulate. Officers of the Span
ish warships. who We're made prisoners,
said they believed that it was only
question OF a few days, when the Span
iards would have to give in.
It is believed that the driving out Of the
fleet from the harbor was the beginning
of the end. but to cap the climax. the en-
tire civil government escaped from the
city and fed for protection to the Amer
lean army at FL Caney.
Among the refugees were Civil Gov.
Ros, Mayor Porrase. and the president
Of the upper court of justice. These Off
-cIals had. Of course been forbidden to
leave the city. but while protesting Their
love for Spain. they took the first op-
portunity to fee They walked over the
mountains in company with other refu-
gees and made known their identity at
FL Caney, where they surrendered. They
were treated with much consideration.
sfege's Terrible Work.
When questioned they told stories Of
the dreadful effects OF the siege and of
the Spanish losses. which they placed at
larger figures than given in the estimates
to the sun. They declared that many of
the poorer classes in the city were on the
verge of starvation. Food was very
scarce. Only rice and black bread were
obtainable. The food was al held bJ'
the army and was given out in the
smallest quantities by military officers
The people were almost ready TO sur
render before the fight and after It they
were anxious 10 capitulate.
They the refugees. had favored sur
rendering, but had been denounced by
Gen Toral. but they continued to argue
with him. The archbishop of Santiago,
the highest ecclesiastical authority IN the
island. was in favor of surrender. and he
too, had argued with Gen. Toral. who
however, maintained his stubborn atti-
tude.
Spanish Soldiers Scared.
The officials said that the Spanish SOL
diers were all scared by the Americans.
who fought always going forward for
ward. no matter how hot the fire against
them The spaniards wanted no more
fighting Of this kind. Their courage was
gone and they probably would not stand
another battle The official refugees said
that the circumstances We're such that
Gen. ToraI could not possibly hold out
long. Their information prepared our
officers for the coming Of Gen. Torars
commissioner today.
When questioned as TO the probability
OF Spain not consenting TO the surrender
of the city they said public opinion was
overwhelmingly in favor of surrendering.
This was also the feeling in the army,
and no matter what Spain said the pres
sure was too great on Gen. Toral foI
him to hold out.
This opinion OF the officials is supported
by the foreign Representatives, who, OF
course cannot be quoted.
After the commissioner had returned tC
Santiago, the Americans succeeded il
placing more Of their siege guns and NOR
tars in position for business should Spain
see fit to answer Gen. Torars application
unfavorably.
The Exodus of Refugees.
There will be no fighting until then any
way The exodus Of refugees from the
city continues. All the pacificos who
can get away are rushing out and com
ing into our lines for protection. The
country for miles around is dotted witt
lliE N<lLA4l1S VI lBtpltlC " llD nave tSGdJtL
from Santiago. In FL Caney there arr
5000 refugees. They have little clothing
and no food The Red Cross Society i
working among them. Miss Clara Bar
ton visited them today.
Five thousand other refugees are head
ing for Siboney their route being thir
teen miles along through the brush anC
cactus, through which they are wearil!
plodding barefooted. They heard tha
there was food at Siboney. but in thi
they are mistaken, as there is hardl!
enough there for the soldiers Man,
refugees began arriving at sibony today
A large number of them are women an,
children.
The sick were carried on litters TIL,
condition of the roads. so called. is awful
It is reported that many OF the refugee
have already succumbed 10 the hea
and hardships of their journey, and ar
lying half dead by the roadside.
The refugees express themselves a.
satisfied with the turn affairs have taker
They are already preparing for a gov
eminent after the surrencer of the city