Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-07-16
CONFIDENT OF VICTORY
Commencement of Bombardment
May Effect Santiago's Fall.
TIE REMOVAL OF THE MINES.

Disposition by the Danish Authorities
TO Prevent Our Government From
Using Coal Stored at st. Thomas as
q Breach of Neutrality.
Washington. July lathe impression
prevailed In official circles at the close
OF public business yesterday that the
nag of truce was still flying and that
negotiations continued looking to a sur
render. The basis for these negotiations
naturally could not be very broad in
view of the Injunction the president
laid upon General Shafter to accept
nothing less than unconditional sur
render, but II Is supposed that time may
be consumed through the indulgence OF
General Shsfter In allowing the Span
tsh commander TO communicate by
cable with Captain General Bianco In
the effort to obtain his assent to the
surrender. General Toral undoubtedly
has before his eyes the indicative
abuse heaped upon the unfortunate
Naval Commander Cervera for sur
rendering at ALL so that he probably
Will be bound by the direction of Blanco
In his own case.
1t is not generally known that In re-
Spouse to the manly and pathetic re-
port by cable to Blanco announcing the
loss of his squadron. Cervera received
n most harsh and unsympathetic reply,
but such is the case. Blanco's purpose
In this may have been to dissolve other
Spanish commanders. military and ma
val. from surrendering under any con-
ditions. and I'm the case of Torsl. it APP
pears that he has made a strong i'm
preston Nevertheless confidence wakes
in the speedy fall of Santiago. though
many officers fear that the nest will
be found empty and the birds flown
when the American troops make their
entry into the town. Still. should this
be the case. IL may be fairly claimed
that the prime object of the movement
on Santiago. namely. the destruction of
the Spanish squadron having been
achieved the campaign as a whole has
been successful.
General Miles report indicated that
he had found unexpected physical diff
hculties to contend with and he Is ap-
parently greatly pleased with the pro-
gress made by the army under the con-
ditions prevailing. He has not assumed
command as is evidenced by his mes
sage.
Miles report was as follows: "Arriv-
ed at noon. Had consultation with Ad-
miral Sampson and with General Shat
ter by telephone Troops brought from
Tampa. Charleston and New York ar
rived and leaving for the front. Line
of investment being extended Miles"
The most important result Of the
cabinet deliberations was the order to
remove the mines which guard all the
coast ports. Many military men were
opposed TO yielding to the pressure OF
the commercial interests and some OK
them are predicting that not a few Of
the communities which have been so
earnest In their demand for the re-
znoval of the mines will be frantfcallv
clamoring for protection at the very
FIRST rumor of the presence OF a hostile
gunboat or cruiser off their coast.
Before the war begun our govern
rnent accumulated a stock OF coal az
St Thomas. West Indies. Most of II
was ashore. but 1000 tons were on a
schooner lying in the harbor Twice
since war broke out the United States
has awaited OF this coal once TO sun
ply the Minneapolis and once the Mont
Eomery. but as each was bound for the
nearest home port and took only
enough coal TO carry them there II was
fairly assumed there had been no
breach Of neutrality. However, It APP
pears that there is now a disposition
exhibited by the Danish authorities to
prevent the United States ships from
tion OF their right to lay down such a
rule the coal itself probably will be let
alone. Fortunately there is no particu-
lar need for IL. as there are other means
OF coaling n fleet now in use. The in
cicent Is one which will be used as a
strong argument for the establishment
of coaling stations in various parts Of
the globe for the benefit OF the United
States navy.
Although the statement has been re-
peated day after day that no overtures
have been made to our government for
peace IL may bear repetition once more
in view of the express denial given az
the state department 70 so much OF the
stories emanating from European
sources as seek to create the impression
that the United States government or
any OF it's representatives so far has
made any move in this direction. The
fact is today as IL has been: The first
overtures In the direction of peace
must come from Spain. directly or in
directly.
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Remarkable Fatality