Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-13
begin To-day.

WASHINGTON, July 12.-The impress
sion prevailed in official circles when
public business closed for the day. that
the flag of truce set in the Spanish lines
al Santiago at o'clock yesterday after
noon was sml flying, and that negotia-
tons continued looking to q surrender.
The basis for these negotiations naturally
could not be verified. in view of the in
junction laid upon General Shafter TO ac-
e.rt nothing less than unconditional sur
render, but IL is supposed that time may
le consumed through the indulgence Of
General Shafter in allowing the Spanish
commander to communicate by cable with
C.I.a.u-General BIanco, in the effort to
obtain bis assent 20 the surrender.
BRUTALITY TO CERVERA.
General Toral undoubtedly has before
DIS eyes the vindictve abuse heaped upon
taa unfortunate naval commander Ger
vera lor surrendering at all, so that he
probably win be bound by the direction OF
Ialeo .n his own case. II is not gene
sa.y known that in response to the manly
AND pathetic report by cable TO Blanco,
announcing the loss of his squadron, Ger
Vera received a most harsh and unsympa-
u.uc reply. but such is the case. Blanco's
purpose in this may have been TO dis
sa.Ie other Spanish commanders. mill
tv and naval. from suu suderng under
aHr conditions and in the case OF Toral
. appears that he has made a strong i'm
Preston.
WILL THE BIRDS HAVE FLOWN?
Nevertheless. confidence wakes in tho
Speedy fan Of Santiago, though many Off
Gers fear that the nest will be found
empty and the birds flown when the
American troops make their entry into the
town. sIu, should this be the case, it
may De d,ly claimed that the prime object
O.. tae movement on Santiago-namely
Oh. destruction Of the Spanish squadron
having been achieved. the campaign as
Whole has been successful.
MINES TO BE REMOVED.
The most important result OF the Cabi-
ne. deliberations to-day was an order 90
remove the mines which guard all the
coast ports This will be done by ex-
polug them. Many military men were
Opposed to yielding TO the pressure of the
uulcial interests and some OF them
a-. IroI.ctng ihat net a few Of the com
uglu.s which have been 50 earnest in
u.r Gcmlud for the removal Of the
Uass VIII be frantically clamCring for
Protection at the very first rumor Of the
presence of q hostile gunboat or cruiser
or their COST
METHOD OF REMOVAL.
The order for removal, It is said, Is 70 |
apply % localities where the interests OF |
commerce demand the same. in cases |
where IL Is safe. an effort will be made
=. remove the mines instead Of exploding |
them. Wherever there Is any doubt, they |
viii Dee exploded. The action of the sea
H some Instances causes the dynamite In /
ihe iron-eliipsoldal vessels 10 ooze through
Oh. scrcw-threads where the plug is in
sorted. and unless the greatest care IS
taken the removal OF the plug may cause
a. explosion. II may be some days be-
Tore the actual work Of removing or eX-
poliag the mines can be put In opera
Ton. and the question as 10 what the in
forests Of commerce demand will be left
To the discretion Of the engineer officers
having jurisdiction over the various dis
rcts of the United states.
GREAT CARE TO BE TAKEN.
orders for carrying into effect the deci-
sion ~ The Cabinet Hill be sent TO them