The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-07-15
NEGOTIATING SURRENDER.
Interview Between Generals Miles,
Shafter and TOral.

GENERAL WHEELERS HEAD
QUARTERS BEFORE SANTIAGO
DE CUBA, July 18th, 4 p. m. (via
Kingston, July 14th.)-A request for
personal interview with the Spanish
Commander in Chief was made and ac-
ceded to to-day and at about 4 O'Clock
General Miles General Shafter, Cen
eral Wheeler, General Gilmour, Colonel
Course, Captain Wiley and Captain
Maus rode up. passed over our en-
trenchments and went down into the
valley beyond. They were met by
General 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.
General Miles said later that the
tenor Of General Torars remarks ali
betrayed his realization that he could
not hold out long. When General
Shafter explained that our reinforce
ments were coming up, that he was
completely surrounded and that new
batteries were being posted, General
Toral simply shrugged his shoulders.
II am but a subordinate, said ne,
and ! obey my Government. If 1T is
necessary we can die at our posts.
General Toral is a man of 6o years
of age. with strong rugged face and hne
soldierly bearing. His brave words IN
spired a feeling of respect and admira-
tion in the hearts of his adversaTies-
Nevertheless. the Spanish Generals
anxiety to avoid a further sacrifice OF
life in his command was manifested
and he did not hesitate to ask for time
to communicate the situation to Ma
drid although he obviously shook his
head when ne spoke of the probable
response.
In the course of an interview Gen
eral Toral said the bombardment of
Sunday and Monday had done little
damage He admitted that shells from
the guns of the fleet had destroyed
four houses, but he asserted that only
half a. dozen soldiers of the garrison had
heen injured He also volunteered the
Information when General Miles gal
1antlv inquired after General Linares'
condition. that the latter would prob
ablv have to undergo the amputation
Of his left arm at the shoulder.
General Miles at the interview did
not attempt to assume the direction OF
+be NEGOTIATIONS, but as General Of the
United states army he vouched for the
conditions General Shafter offered.
J-oon the return of our commanders To
the American lines, a consultation was
hid at General Wheeler's headquarters.
Generals Garcia and Castillo with
their staffs, had ridden around from the
extreme right to see Miles. 1t was a
notable group gathered under the pro-
tecting awning of General Wheeier
tent
General Miles, in blue fatigue UNIFORM
with the double star on his shou1uers
and his campaign hat encircieo ps q
single strand of gold braid, looking the
ideal soldier. sat on an empty aiiiiiiu
milton box and formed the center y
the party. on the right OF GehSt al
Miles sat General Shafter, and on ms
left was General Garcia in ihuu
spotted white uniform, with heavy riu-
ing boots and jingling spurs. ne
Cuban General wore a large weather
worn Panama hat and at his side Was
silver mounted machete- Generai
Garcia has strong, swarthy race
with a deep bullet scar in his foreheao.
In a general way he is not uniike a
Cuban edition of General Miles.