The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-15

GENERAL WHEELER'S HEAD
QUARTERS, BEFORE SANTIAGO DE
CUBA. July ls--4 Il. M.-Via Kingston,
jamaica. July lLs,l..aQ- T., M,--White flags
sin Rutter over the opposing lines. The
truce has been extended until to-morrcw
noon and negotiations looking 20 the sur
render Of Santiago are proceeding. Both
sides have yielded somewhat. General
Toral. the Spanish commander, realizes
the hopelessness OF further resistance,
and the American commanding gerenal.
Shafter. is inclined to reduce the harsh
ness of the terms which he at first pro-
posed to impose upon the enemy. IL ap-
pears that on Monday General Shafter
did not again demand the unconditional
surrender which General T0ral had re-
fused on Sunday. but offered. as an al
Tentative proposition. TO accept the ca
ptulation OF the enemy and 10 transport
the Spanish officers and troops back 10
Spain. they TO leave all their arms be-
hind and he TO accept their parole. it
was this proposition which General Torii
declined yesterday.
This morning it was decided 10 hold
personal interview with General Toral.
General Miles and his STAFF. who got no
further than General Skaters headquar-
ters last night. accompanied by General
shafter and his staff, rode out TO tho
front shortly before s o'clock under q
flag Of truce.
FOR A PERSONAL INTERVIEW
A request for a personal interview
with the Spanish COmmander-ln-chief
was made and ncceded 10. and at about
. o'clock General Miles. General Shafter
General Wheeler. General Gilmour. Col
oneI Morse. Captain Wiley and Colonel
Maus rode up. passed over our entrench-
ments and went down into the valley be-
yond They were met by General Torai
and his chief OF stan under spreading
mango tree at the bottom OF the valley
about half way between the lines. The
interview that followed lasted an hour.
THE ULTTsfATUM.
The situation was placed frankly be-
fore General Toral and he was offered
the alternative OF being sent home with
his garrison or leaving Santiago Province.
the only condition imposed being that he
should not destroy the existing fortiica-
tions and should leave his arms behind.
This latter condition the Spanish Cen
erai. who does not speak English. ex-
planned through his interpreter. was I'M
posslble. He said the laws OF Spain gave
a general no discretion. lie might absn-
don "A place when he found II nnienable.
but he could not leave his arms behind
without subjecting himself 10 the penalty
OF being court-martiailed and shot. His
government, no said, had granted him
permission tol evacuate Santiago-that
was all. Further than that he was pow
eriess 10 go.
HE REALIZED HIS POSITION.
Without saying so in words. General
Miles said the tenor OF General ToraPs
remarks betrayed his realization that no
could not hold out long. When General
Shafter explained that our reinforce-
ments were coming up that he was COM
pletely surrounded. and that new bat
teries were being posted, General Torai
simply shrugged his shoulders.
"I am but subordinate he said-
'and | obey my government. n II Is
necessary we can die at our posts"
General Toral In man sixty years OF
age. with a strong. rugged face and nne
soldierly bearing. His brave words IN
spired a feeling OF respect and admira-
ton in the hearts OF hts adversaries'
Nevertheless. the spanish Generafs anx-
tetv 10 avoid further sacrifice or life m
his command was manifest and ne did
not hesitate TO ask for time 70 communi-
cate the situation 70 Madrid. although
n. dublously shook his head when be
smoke OF the probable response
SHELLS DID Lf1'fiB DAMAGE
In the course OF aa Interview. General
Toral said the bombardment OF sam
day and Monday hod done little damages
He admitted that shells from the Eano
OF the feet had destroyed four houoo4
,.ot ba asserte6 that only half . do0on
soldiers OF the garrison had besn tnjuFo4
He also volunteered the Information when
General Miles CALAMITY inquired after
General LinaFe's wound. that the iaf&e<