Evening star., 1898-07-14
SAN T|ACO SURRENDERED
Spanish Troops Are to Be Sent Back
to Spain.
DISPATCHES FROM GENERAL SHAFTER
First Important Stronghold in Cuba to Come Into
Our Possession.
Did NOT WAIT FOR BOMBARDMENT
The American Army Completely Surrounded
Did NOT Wait FOR B0MBARDMENT
The American Army Completely Surrounded
the Doomed City.


There was great deal of doubt as to the
meaning Of General Skaters telegram.
President Mckinley was afraid that the
spaniards were seeking further time. and
that in asking for commissioners thew
meant to parley over the terms of sur
render. The President said emphatically
that this would not do, and dictated a tele-
gram TO General Shafter saving that Moth
ing but an unconditional surrender could
be considered. The President also inquired
the meaning of the generals telegram
The Presidents message was rushed
through to General shafter.
Gen. Shnfter's Second Messare.
In few minutes another telegram from
Cen Shafter arrived. Whether 1t was in
response to the Presidents message is
not known This message was somewhat
clearer than the first. 1t indicated that the
Spanish proposition was practically a SIR
render and that the appointment of COM
missioners was a formality desired by the
Spaniards
Even this telegram did not make the
Spanish motives fully clear.
Secl etary Alger and the President rama
to the conclusion that the Spanish COM
mander proposed to surrender on Amer
ican terms and authorized the appointment
u American commissioners. 1t Is under
stood. however, that Gen. Shafter was cau
toned that the conference of the comn,s-
'ioners must not mean delay, and that
my the time necessary to draw up the
terms of surrender should be allowed.
Spanish Preparing to Give Up.
Thus briefly was the situation at 20
O'Clock when Gen. Alger gave to a Star
representative the understanding of the
President and himself that the spaniards
were preparing to surrender, and that the
commissioners were then in conference
Never were telegraph wires kept buster,
and never again Will messages flash so
quickly between Washington and Santiago.
DeportinE the Prisoners.
Secretary Alger and the President dis
cussed the question Of sending the sur
rendered Spanish army to Spain, but did
not reach definite conclusion. The sur
render, probably made by this time, places
the spaniards in the hands of the Amer
leans, allowing nothing but the keeping by
the officers Of their side arms
Secretary A1ger will not send the Spanish
troops to Spain in American vessels unless
Spain pledges herself not to modest or de-
tain these vessels. There is a belief In
high administration circles this afternoon
that a gigantic question is now to be solv-
ed in the matter of the prisoners. Some
officials behave that Spain will not want
the prisoners sent to her shores and will
make no agreement whereby American
she does this, ships of some other country
will have to be engaged to take the pris-
oners away.
Secretary Alger said late this afternoon
that the question is a serious one, and will
require much consideration.
To Remove Our Soldiers.
1t is thought this afternoon that steps
will be taken as soon as the surrender is
officially announced to get the American
troops away from points injected by yell
iOW tSNcE duu soou ditcIW 10 get u ma
jority OF them away from Santiago.
President Mckinley told several of his
visitors today that the administration be-
Heves that 1t will be able to cope with the
yellow fever which has broken out without
1t becoming dangerous. He was confident
and hopeful in talking Of the dread disease.
He also expressed determination in saying
that the situation must not remain as be-
fore to subject the soldiers to the disease.
AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT..
Discussion of the First Dispatch of
Shafter.
News from the front was awaited with
the greatest anxiety all the morning At