Evening star., 1898-07-13
y at Santiago, and that the cabinet Y
the situation"
The News From the Front.

discussing the situation.
The News From the Front.
The cabinet session was called on the
strength of telegram received from the
front. 1t is thought to have been from
Gen. Miles. At any rate the contents of
the telegram are known. This disquieting
message said that the rains were becoming
torrential in their nature; that yellow fever
had broken out among refugees near the
army, and that something ought to be
done.
1t is alleged that General Miles said that
the Spaniards ought to be allowed to go
out of Santiago under their own terms, as
proposed by them, or that the city be as
saulted. He is said to have stated further
that he had received information that the
Spanish army was provisioned for siege
of three months. Whether these state
ments were in the message cannot be posi-
lively asserted, but al any rate the cabi-
net decided that there must be change in
the situation.
The outlook was discussed long and earn
estly before decision was arrived at. Tho
President and cabinet quickly saw that it
would not do to allow a continuation of
the situation. 1t was realized that the
rains would bring sickness and that the
ISIuSetS WOulu dOu ulSedSe, bringing ABOUT
what might soon become a deplorable sit
uation. Sooner or later, it was argued. yell
low fever might scatter CONSERVATION
among the troops and kill more men than
would be carried away by Spanish bullets.
Serious consideration of the outlook led
to the decision positively known to have
been reached. 1t is thought that by this
time the commanders are getting together
a final decisi0D to bou To taly
city. 1t is believed that the fighting will
begin tomorrow morning and that l. will
continue until the American flag floats
over the city.
No more flags of truce will be respected
II they mean only delay. as stated. The
tomorrow Of the Spaniard will be turned
into the today of tie American.
1t will be better to lose a few hundred
II en- by bullets" said a cabinet official
this afternoon, than to let hundreds OF
them die from fevers and have the army
constantly weakened by diseases of all
kinds"
Various members of the cabinet deny
that the official dispatch stated that yell
low fever had broken out in the ranks.
They intimate that the dispatch said that
yellow fever had appeared not far from
the army.
navy 10 Cooperate.
The presence of the war board at the
conference is taken to mean that the navy
Will be ordered to cooperate with the army
at any reasonable risk. 1t is rumored that
Gen. Miles telegraphed that the city could
not be taken unlets the navy forced the
harbor and co-operated with the army.
Whether this is true or not the navy will
share with the Amy the glories of the
struggle that is now less than twenty four
hours away, and which will enable the
Americans to complete the work they were
sent to Santiago for and to get away.
1t is known to be the desire that the en-
tire army shall not be kept long at San
tago. So soon as the city is taken the
forces will be put IN position where they
Will not be liable to yellow fever.
The intention up to this morning was to
allow Gen. Shafter to sit down in front of
the city and remain there until he secured
a surrender, thus preventing the loss Of
life which will surely follow a decisive
battle This was all changed by the news
from Gen. Miles this morning.
Effect of Skaters Telegram.
Since the cabinet meeting this afternoon
General Skaters telegram arrived from
Santiago. 1t was said that this telegram
might delay the assault for short while
longer.