The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-08
SANTIAGO REFUGEES STARVING.
Clara Barton Distributes 5000 IA.
lions Among Them.


lions Among Them.
Copyright, 1898. by the Associated Press.
I'll Caney near Santiago de Cuba July 6,
u. m, by the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Wanda, via Port Antonio, jam. July
7, 1915 a. n.-Between 12O00 and 1900 in
nocent victims of the war have fled here
to escape the terrors of the threatened
bombardment of Santiago, and they are
now confronted by the horrors of starva-
ton.
In their present confusion they are ap-
pealng to Gen. Shafter for succor. Most
of them are foreigners principally French
or with an admixture of foreign blood, and
their interests are being looked after by
their consuls
The ignorant desire only to be fed and the
cultured want to get away, anywhere, any
how away from the war which has driv-
en- them from their homes. Pathetic sights
are witnessed on all sides.
Gen. Shafter explained to the consuls
yesterday tho impossibiity of caring for
these poor people our of army supplies,
but he did spare some ratiOns, which We're
given out with sparing hands last night
TO the women and the feeble old men.
To-day Miss Clara Barton and George
Kenan of The Red Cross Society offered 10
provide 5000 RI lions If Gen. Shafter would
transport them. After consultation with
the French consul, Gen. Shafter agreed TO
do 50.
The first pack train arrived at o'clock
In the afternoon and was unloaded in the
village square among the clamOring cries
of thousands.
The better class held back, while the
ignorant, especially the negroes, rushed
forward, franucally appealing for bread.
Capt Finlay, who commands the gar
rison in the town, saw to it that enough
food was reserved to supply those whose
delieacy and good breeding restrained
them from begging.
quite number of the Spanish volun-
teers who came out with the refugees,
and who at first were allowed their lib
erty, are being gathered up and placed
under surveillance. While it is known
most of them welcomed opportunity to
escape, it Is feared that some may be
spies.
It has been learned from the refugees
that there was Il regular mutiny among
the volunteers in Santiago the day after
the fighting began.
The volunteers were loud in their de-
mands that the city should be surrender
ed, so persistent in fact that many were
imprisoned.
1t is also learned from the same sources
that Admiral Cervera was practically
goaded into making his desperate effort to
escape from the harbor. Both he and
his sailors were assaied as towards for
not fighting the Yankees. Some marines
were assaulted In the streets.
The night after the fleet was destroyed
the cruiser Reina Mercedes was sunk
across the entrance to the harbor-or an
attempt was made to sink her thereto
prevent the American warships going in
Nr Do. H..
asked by the Associated Press correspon-
dent whether the Spanish general would
continue to resist replied: "Of course he
will. Toral will fight till he dies"
Dlfterent stories, however, are told about
the temper of the Spanish soldiers.
One consul, who declined to allow his
name or nationality to be given, said that
so strong was the desire to yield among
the rank and file that there were open
talk of assassinating Gen. Toral
Gen, Blanco telegraph Gen. Toral from
Havana: The Spaniard dies, but never
surrenders, paraphrasing the historic
cry of Napoleon's Imperial Guard
This statement Is confirmed by the
French cable operators who have left San
tiago
The desperate character of Gen. ToraPs
determination to continue the struggle is
apparent when it is known-and this in
formation IS among the most reliable that
mas come out OF the beleaguered city
that the Spanish soldiers have less than a
days ammunition remaining.
Had an assault all along the line been
pushed the second day of the fighting last
week, as was contemplated the night be-
fore, it is probable that Santiago would
now be ours
"A lack of ammunition places a time
limit at least upon the enemy's ability to
hold out. This lack applies to artillery
and siege guns as well as to small arms
1t is learned that the siege guns in the
Lunette are 7-inch instead of 5-inch guns.
and that one of the batteries mounts two
bronze guns of heavy CALDER, one of
which, il Is said, now enhlades our first
line of trenches. occupied by the Sixth
and Sixteenth Infantry.
An examination of the forts and works
and trenches about El Caney amazes our
| officers. They cannot conceive how it was
| ever possible to carry the town by infantry
| assault.
The last stand was made in an old Ro-
man Catholic church which had been con-
| verified into block house with loop holes
in the walls. A dozen soldiers were perch
ed in the old belfry. This church is now
used as a hospital and prison for Spanish
| captves and wounded.