The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-15


GENERAL wHEELER's HEAD.
QUARTERS. BEFORE SANTIAGO
DE CUBA, July 10, 4p. M, via Kings
ton. Jamaica, July IA. 1880 p. m.-Whlte
flags still futter over the opposing lines,
The truce has been extended until to-
morrow noon. and negotiations looking
to the surrender OF Santiago are pro-
ceeding. Both sides have yielded some-
what General Toral. the Spanish conn
mander, realizing the hopelessness of
further resistance, and the American
commander, General Shafter. is inclined
10 reduce the harshness OF the terms
which he first proposed to impose upon
the enemy. II appears that on Monday
General Shafter did not again demand
the unconditional surrender, which Gem
eral Toral refused on Sunday, but Of
fered, as an alternative proposition, to
accept the capltulation OF the enemy
and transport the Spanish officers and
troops to Spain, they to leave all their
arms behind, and he to accept thelr
parole. 1t was this proposition which
General Toral declined yesterday.
This morning 1t was decided 10 hold
a personal interview with General Toral.
General Miles and his stan. who got no
further than General Skaters head
quarters last night, accompanied by
General Shafter and his stan, rode out
to the front shortly before s o'clock
under q flag OF truce. A request for
personal Interview with the Spanish
commander-In-chief was made and ac-
ceded 10. and at about o'clock General
Miles, General Shafter. General Wheel
eT, General Gilmour. Col. Morse, Capt.
Mlley and Col. Maus rode up, passed
over our entertainments and went down
into the valley beyond. They were met
by General Toral and his chief OF stan
under a spreading mango tree, at the
bottom of the valley. half way between
the lines. The Interview that followed
lasted an hour.
Situation Placed before TotHl.
Tho situation was placed frankly be-
fore General Toral, and he was offered
the alternative Of being sent home with
his garrison or leaving Santiago pro-
vince. The only condition imposed be-
Ing that ne should not destroy the eX-
lstinG Notifications. and should leave
his aTms behind This latter condition
the Spanish general, who does not speak
English, explained through his inter
prefer was Impossible. He said the laws
OF Spain gave general no discretion,
He might abandon a place when he
found II untenlble, but he could not
leave his arms behind without srbject-
ing himself to the penalty OF being
couFtmartialed and shot. His govern
l., Z, 4 NafVH h tWTa
sion to evacuate Santiago. That was all.
Further than that he was poweriess 20
go.
Without saying so in words. General
Miles said the tenor Of General Toral's
remarks betrayed his realization that
he could not hold out long. When Gem
eral ShRfter explained that our REIN
forcements were closed up; that he was
completely surrounded, and that new
batteries were being posted, General
Toral simply shrugged his shoulders.
Tornrs bravo wor,'.
'T AM BUT A SUBORDINATE"
SAID HE, AND I OBEY MY Gov
ERNMENT. IF IT is NECESSARY
VIE CAN DIE AT OUR POSTS"
General Toral IS a man OF sixty years
OF age, with strong, rugged face, and
fine soidieriy bearing, His brave words
Inspired feeling Of respect and admlra-
ton In the hearts OF his adversarlcs.
Nevertheless, the Spanish generals anX-
iety to avoid further sacrifice OF life In
his command was manifest, and he did
not hesitate to ask for time to commun-
icale the situation to Madrid, although
he obviously shooR his head when he
spoke OF the probable response.
In the course of an Interview. General
Tornl said the bombardment OF Sunday
and Monday had done little damage. He
admitted that shells from the guns OF the
fleet had destroyed four houses, but he
asserted that only half dozen soldiers
Of the garrison had been injured. He
also volunteered the Information when
General Miles calamity inquired about
General Linares' condition, that the lat
ter would probably have 20 undergo the
anputatioR Of his left arm at the shoul-
der.
General Miles, at the interview, did
not attempt 10 assume the direction OF
the negotiations, hut as general OF the
United S;ates army. ne vouched for the
conditions General Shaf:er offered. Upon
the return OF our commanders to the
American lines an important consulta-
tlon was held at General Wfeeler's
Headquarters. Generals Garcia and
Castillo, with their stafhs. had ridden
nround from the extreme right TO see
General Miles.
a Notable Group,
II was a notable group, gathered I'm
der the protecting awning of General
wheeler's tent. General Miles, in blue
fatigue uniform, with the double star on
his shoulders. and his campaign hat en-
clrcled by single strand of gold braid,
looked the ideal soldier, sat on an empty
ammunition box, and formed the center
OF the party.
on the right OF General Miles eat Cen
eral shafter, and on hls left was General
Garcia, in mud-spotted white uniform,
with heavy riding boots and jingling
squire. The Cuban general wore large
weather worn panama hat, and ut his
eide was u sllver-mouutcd machcte.
General Garcia has strong, swarthy
face, with a deep bullet scar In his fore
head. In n general way he II not un-
like Cuban edition OF General Miles.
General Wheeler. with grlzzlcd beard.
small Of stature and in brown fatigue
uniform, faced the three soldiers mem
toned, while about them sat the aides
de-camp OF the four generals.
Assistant Naval Constructor Hehseh.
the hero OF the Merrlmac who had come
to headquarters with messages from
Rear Admiral Sampson, was also pres
ent The situation was discussed with