The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-15

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porter today. They are a superb
body. Individually and as an army,
and | SuppOSe not throughout the
world is there such a splendid lot of
fighting men. 1t is the fighting char
acteristic Of the men which is most
apparent. They are aggressive, eager
for action, never needing the voice Of
an officer to push them forward. An
other marked characteristic is the self
reliance of each man; we call
the character of Initiative. 1t is al
most unknown in European armies
where every movement, and the move
to meet each action Of the enemy.
awaits the initiative Of an officer; but
with your men they fight to the front,
meeting each emergency a. it arises,
overcoming obstacles by their own
initiative. Such self-reliant fighting
men make an exceptionally i~mpetuous
army, for every unit contributes in
the irresistible onward movement. The
Spanish troops do not have the same
characteristic. They are more passive,
more cautious. Besides the impetuOsi-
ty Of each fighting material, it has the
effect of inspiring a morale among the
troops, making them feel that success
is assured, and at the same time ar
rying disorder and depression to the
ranks of the enemy"
Major de G~randprey a y the fight
ing about Santiago is something en-
tirely different from the warfare Of
European and other armies of modern
times. The dense vegetation and tan
gle of tropical vine makes it impOs-
sibIe to observe the usual military
formations. AS a result there is lit
tie or no effort to fight in solid for
nation. Every man is fighting for him
self, pushing forward through the
shrubbery, vines and tall grass. 1t is
impossible to see the enemy
Major de G~randprey also speaks
highly Of the efficiency with which
the American troops were started on
their expedition and debarked in Cuba.
This has come in for considerable
criticism in this country, but this
French officer says that, considering
the brief time allowed for eQuipping
the expedition, remarkable results
were secured. European military ex-
petitions such as those of England
or France to Africa or other points,
he says, are planned six months ahead
which allows ample time for working
out the minute Details.
Washington, July 13.-The follow
ing dispatch was posted at the war
department at 2:30 o'clock this afters
noon:
playa, July Is.
"Adjutant General Washington, D. c.:
Your telegram saying no mOdiflCa-
tons Of orders allowed, just received.
Have had interview of an hour and a
half with General TOral and have ex-
tended truce until noon tomorrow.
Told him that his surrender only will
be considered, but that he was without
hope of escape and had no right to
continue to fight. I think It made a
strong impression on him and hope for
- g - I'LL $500
on him at noon tomorrow with every
gun 1 have and have the assistance
of the navy, who are now ready to
lombard the city with 13-inch shells.
wv. r. SHAFTER."
Soon after the following bulletin was
posted:
playa, July -.
Secretary of War, Washington:
AT a meeting between the lines, at
which Generals Shafter and Wheeler
and the Spanish General Toral were
present, the latter claimed that he was
unabl to act without authority of his
government, but has received authOri-
ty to withdraw and surrender harbor,
ports, munitions of war and eastern
portion of Cuba. He urgently requests
until tomorrow noon to receive answer
from his government regarding offer
of u government to send his forces
to Spain, which was granted.
MILES,
Major General Commanding"
On the bottom of the bulletin of
Miles dispatch was written:
THE permission to withdraw has
been declined by the war department.
THE CRISIS REACHED.
While the long expected fall of San
tiagO did not take place today, it is
evident that the crisis has been reach
ed. Within the next twenty-fOur hours
Santiago either will surrender or will
receive a baptism of fire as seldom
falls to the lot of a beseiged town.
IF he refuses, I will open on him
at II o'clock (noOn) tomorrow with
every u 1 lay and have the assist
ance of the navy. Our vessels are
ready to lombard the city with
13-inch shells"
I That is the programme laid down
by General Shafter and is to be car
ried out to the letter. General Shafter
is still commanding, according to the
war department officials, n although
dispatches nave been received from
Major General Miles, singned Major
General Commanding" it is stated
that he has not displaced Genera
Shafter in direct charge of the opera
lions.
The public, in n of these tele-
grams from General Miles, was giver
the first notice that u government
in the course of negotiations with
General Toral, had offered to send the
Spanish forces in Santiago back tC
Spain. A few days ago it was stated
that the president would insist upoT
unconditional surrender, but it ap.
pears that conditions lay been modi
fed as indicated by General Miles
This was done from a desire to avoid
useless bloodshed, for General Toral's
army, removed to Spain, would bt
harmless to prevent their further Opera
tions in Cuba, and would serve as
good purpose as would the destruction
of the Spanish army. To allow the
Spanish general to withdraw to the
interior and fall Jack on Havana, or
the other hand, would put us under thu
obligation of overcoming hat addi
tional force when it M to the siege