Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-07-16
At Midnight a Full Understanding
Was Reached and Surrender of
Santiago Resulted.
SPANISH HONOR TENACIOUS
Campaign 0ver-Entire Army Will Move
to North of Oity-Oondition of City
Fearful-Filth and Stencil
Everywhere.

|
eral Wheeler's department before San
tiago, July Is, via Kingston.-The pre-
liminary basis for capituation for the
Spanish forces in eastern Cuba wa.
agreed to and signed under a picturesque
Cieba tree half way between the lines
shortly after midnight. AT the outset &
hitch occurred owing to misunder
standing of what was said at the per.
sonal interview between Generals Shat
ter and Toral at noon. Our Interpreter
in translating the language of General
Toral had given Generals Shafter, Miles
and Wheeler distinctly to understand
that Captain General Blanco had con-
Sented that the commissioners should
have plenary powers to negotiate all
terms of surrender to be binding upon
both parties. Something was said about
notification to the Madrid government
but General Shafter insisted that capi-
tulaton had been actually agreed to and
no further consent of the Madrid gov
ernment was required. When the COM
missioncrs met shortly after O'Clock in
the afternoon, those in behalf of General
Toral General Escoria. Lieutenant Col
onel Portland and Robert Mason, British
vice consult combatted at once the idea
that capitulation had actually taken
place. The consent of Madrid, they in
sisted, was still necessary, but at the
same time they claimed strongly it
would be forthcoming.
General Toral, who directed the ne
gotiations on his own behalf, said he
had never been overrulcd by Capital n
General Blanco. Still, he added, until
Madrid sanctioned it, Santiago had not
capituIated. All this was extremely un-
satisfactory to our commissioners, who
clung tcnaciously to the understanding
that General Shaftcr received early in
the day. Finally, with the question
whether the Spanish forces actually sur
rendered still open. the commissioners
proceeded to the consideration of pre-
liminaries. Captain Miley had drawn
up 13 articles of general nature and
these were submitted to General TOral
personally. He made strong appeal,
that the word "capitulation' be used
instead of the harSher term ''surrend-
er,' and his officers be allowed to march
ont. officers with side arms and men
with small arms. He said the arms
could afterward be sent to Spain either
on the same ship with troops or on other
ships.
General Toral further remarked, he
expected our commissioners as represen-
tative of a brave and chivalrous people
would not wish to humliate his army or
make 1t appear he was vanquished. AS
brave men, his soldiers desired to go
home with honor They simply yielded
to superior force and would prefer dying
than 90 home without honor. Our
commissioners could not resist this
appeal, but said it lay beyond the terms
laid down by our government and they
could only recommend the matter to
Washington. At o'clock General
Toral returned to the city to consult
with General Linares. General Toral
and the Spanish commission returned
at 6:30, saying they desired still further
change in phraseology of the articles and
suggested a postponement OF negotla-
tions until morning. This General
Wheeler firmly declined. Thereupon a
recess was taken until $3.50. At that
hour the articles were again gone over
in detail.
Various changes of verbiage, which
tended only to soften sound terms with.
out affecting sense, were proposed by
the Spanish, and our commissioners
accepted practically all. Shortly after
midnight General Wheeler suggested
that the good faith of the Spaniards be
tested. All artibles were re-read and
each commissioner in turn asked II they
were satisfactory When they replied
affirmatively, General Wheeler asked
them to atfiX their signatures. This
they appeared Reluctantly to do, then all
signed. The commissioners separated tC
meet again at $3.50 in the morning. The
present municipal authorities are te
continue in control of the city until the
Spanish troops are embarked. The
Spanish troops from other parts are tt
embark at the nearest port.
While there is only remote chance
of the government at Madrid upsettin!
| everything at the last moment, such al
event is still recognized as a possibility
However, our plans are being prepare
as though the campaign were over
General Skaters headquarters are t
be moved, probably today, to the hig
SfOunu nOTUn VI tHe CiUy, "hoio ""
whole army will be encamped after San
tiago Is evacuated, pending the posi-
bilitv of it's embarkatiOn for the islan'
of Puerto Rico. The troops landed a
Sboney, but not brought up, are to b
sent back on board the transports i'm
meniately. What American troops will
remain here as garrison has not ye
been decided on. There is some talk 0
garrisoning Santiago with several regi
ments from the southern states, whicl
are understood to be at sea at the pres
ent. The condition of the City of San
tiago seems dreadful, with filth ant
stencil everywhere. There is mucl
sickness among the Spanish soldiers, du
to bad and insufficient food. Oui com
missioners have just gone in to NEE
the Spanish commissioners.