The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-03
ghe aahita Daily Eagle: Saturday gormne nceen,br

| pie to FL Caney. He explains 10 the sec
| rotary that great suffering viii result
| and ne submits the matter 70 the presi-
dent. The consuls mad told Dorst that
there were not 10 exceed 5000 troops in
| Santiago and that Shaftsr could starve
| them out letting the non-combatants come
out leisurely.
The secretary replied that for human
ity's sake ne approved the postpcnement
! of the bornbardment as proposed. though
| Shafter would be justified In carrying out
the original threat.
Later on the same day General Corbin
directed Shafter 10 use his own judgment
about how 10 take the city, for manifest
reasons. it should be accomplished as
speedily as possible. The secretary also
added a short telegram saying that he
had not intended to direct Skaters move
ments. as he was the best judge Of the
situation and the country had every faith
in his wisdom. Later still. on July 4, the
| following telegram was dispatched:
''Major-General Shafter, Playa Del Este.
Cuba:
After conference with the president and
secretary OF war. l am directed to say
your continued Illness brings sorrow and
anxiety. In case you are disabled Genera.
Wheeler would, of course. succeed to COM
mand. His illness. which We also regret.
is feared TO be so serious as 10 prevent
his assuming command. You must deter
mine whether your condition is such as
TO require you 70 relinquish command. II
so. and General Wheeler is disabled, you
will order the next general officer in rank
for duty to succeed you and take UP the
work in hand II is not expected that our
forces will make assault until they are
ready.
III. c. CORBIN. Authenticated"
The response was as follows:
"Adjutant General, Washington:
Camp near Santiago. Cuba, July 81
am not at present so much iii as exhaust
ed from the intense strain that has been
on me for last two months. 1 am also
suffering from an attack of govt, which
prevents me from moving about. I have,
however the whole business in my hand.
and am managing it through able stan
officers. When do have to give up will,
of course, follow your order but hope TO
be better soon.
"sHAFTER,
''Maior-General Commanding
On the third General Shafter reported
that Pando could not get into Santiago
but on the fourth he reports Psndo's en-
try with 5000 troops from Ho.guin and
asked about his own reinforcements.
On the sixth, Shafter reported that he
was returning the Spanish wounded. he
being satisfied that such a course would
suit the needs of dissatisfaction on the
Spanish ranks and he says:
The soldiers said they were fighting
the church and were going 10 kill them"
In telegram dated San Juan. July 4.
Shafter says:
Il regard it necessary that navy force
an entrance into the harbor of Santiago
not later than the sixth instant, and as
sist in the capture of that place II they
do. believe the place will surrender with
out further sacrifice of life"
supplementary telegram declared that
if the army was TO take the place alone. 1
1900 troops were wanted speedily, and
stormy weather. and a surer way was
through the bay.
In reply he was told on July s by Cen
eral Corbin to confer with Sampson at
once for eo-opera ton in taking Santa
go, and latter the fullest exchange Of
views, you will agree upon the time and
place of attack" In the afternoon Of the
same day General Corbin telegraphed that
the secretary Of war found II evident from
your several reports that you did not
your force strong enough to make |
a successful assault upon the Spanish
army intrenched in Santiago This being |
the case. it is the point OF wisdom to !
await reinforcemeuts, the embarkstion OF
which you have already been advised. You
must be the judge OF the time and man
ner of assaults. The president has direct
ed that you and Admiral Sampson have |
a conference and determine upon a course |
OF cooperation best calculated to secure |
desired results with least sacrifice
The next day Shafter was telegraphed: |
THE secretary of war is anxious 70 |
know what prospect there is OF breaking |
through the mines. He Will be very glad. |
even with a delay. to have cooperation /
Of the navy, thus saving many lives
July 7. Shafter telegraphed that after /
with Sampson the navy was
iisinclined to force entrance except as
asst resort, would lombard city for "a
hours. and then try to force the entrance
with small ships. He had made another
demand for Torars surrender which he
hoped would succeed. He says:
''As a last resort will try running IN
don't consider my force sum
,ient to warrant an assault on the city.
hough 1 believe Il would be successful.
out as fearful loss. OF course. Il would
,e criminal 10 hope for the end TO be
gained which is merely the capture OF
ew thousand men. and when we are seen
We are getting them by siege"
Shafter was telegrsphed that II was re-
ported here that his men were without
cod. He replied on the 9th. the day OF
ne battle. the men had piled up and left
heir blankets and haversacks and were
lot able TO get them until the next night.
some OF them may have been hungry.
'ut on the night OF the battle pack trains
eft food along the lire. They were with
mt tobacco for several days as i was
My by great exertion that coffee. sugar.
neat and bread could be gotten. or these
he men had fun rat.ons though coffee
vas lacking for twenty-four hours.
The next telegram is a note from Gen
raj Miles e. headquarters az Washing-
on. announcing his intention OF leaving
on the following night. TWO
avs ,ster. July s, the following dispatch
vas sent:
"Adiuisnt-CisnersV once.
Washington. July 8
shafter. Playa Del Este.
Secretary of War directs me % inform
ou that General Miles left here a. 1870
clock Iast night fo- S~rrlsvo H-,- ,-.--
-strucflous nor 20 IN any manner super
sde yoa ss commander Of the forces in
he field near Santiago 80 Ionr az you are