Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-07-15
A Notable Meetine.

| SANTIAGO, July 15.-The notable
interview that followed the meeting
OF General Miles and his staff and
Gen. Toral will go down in history as
one Of the greatest events in the pres
ent century.
When it was decided To hold a
personal interview with General
Toral. General Miles and his staff,
got no further than General
Skaters headquarters accompanied
by Gen .Shafter and his staff, they rode
out to the front under flag OF truce.
A request for a personal interview
with Spanish commander-in chief
was made and acceeded to, General
Miles, General Shafter, General
Wheeler, Colonel Gilmour, Colonel
Course, Captain Wiley and Captain
Maus rode up, passed over our
Entertainments, 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
brttom Of the valley, half way between
the lines.
The interview that followed lasted
an hour. The situation was placed
frankly before General, Toral and he
was offered the alternative of being
sent home with his garrison or leav-
ing Santiago province. The only con.
dition imposed vas that he should not
destroy the existing Notifications and
should leave his arms behind. This
latter condition the Spanish general,
who does not speak English, ex-
planned through interpreter, was i'm
possible. He said that the laws of
Spain gaYe a general no discretion.
He might abandon place when he
found 1t untenable, but he could not
leave his arms behind without sub
jecting himself to the penalty of be-
ing court-martlaled and shot. His
government granted him authority
to evacuate Santiago-that was all. |
Further than that he was powerless.
Without saying so in words, Gen.
Miles said the tenor of Gen. Toral's
remarks all betrayed his realization
that he could not hold out long.
When General Shafter explained that
he was completely surrounded and
that new batteries were being posted,
Gen. Toral simply shrugged his shoul-
ders.
81 am but a subordinate" said he,
"and obey my government. II it is
necessary, we can die at our posts"
General Torai is man of 60 years
OF age, with strong, rugged face and
fine soldierly bearing. His brave
words inspired feeling of respect and
admiration in the hearts OF his adyer.
sarles. Nevertheless, the Spanish
generals anxiety to avoid further sac
ritce OF life In his command was man
fest, and he did not hesitate to ask
'or time to communicate the situa-
lion to Madrid, although he dublously
'hook his head when he spoke OF the
request.
In the course Of the Interview, Gen.
Foral said the bombardment OF Sun
lay and Monday had done little dam
lge. lie admitted that shells from
he guns OF the fleet had destroyed
our houses, but he asserted that only
Ialf dozen soldiers Of the garrison
lad been injured, He also volunteered
he information, when General Miles
inquired after Gen. Linares'
oIditlon, that the latter would prob
bly, have TO undergo the ampuGation
his left arm at the shoulder. Gen.
lilies did not attempt to direct the
egotiations, but vouched for the y
General Shafter offered. =
Upon the return OF our commanders u
the American line, a consultation
as held at General Wheeler's head "
narters, Generals Garcia and Cas-
llo, with their STATS, had ridden
'ound from the extreme right 20 see
lies. n
IL was a notable group gathered G
lder the protected awninn OF Gen. %
'heeler's tert. "