The record-union., 1898-09-08

Under such circumstances General
Miles telegraphed General Shafter that
he would be with him within a week,
with strong reinforcements, of course
taking the troops prepared for the sec
ond expedition, which had been ordered
by the President to operate against
the enemy in Cuba, as we'll as in Porto
Rico. These reinforcements were pushed
rapidly forward, and some of them ar
rived in advance of the commanding
General, and were put in position in
the trenches around Santiago.
Under verbal instructions Of the
President, General Miles was directed
to go wherever he deemed his presence
was required, and that he should give
such directions as in his opinion were
best for the army and the Govern
ment.
These were the circumstances under
which General Miles left Washington,
arriving at Santiago July 18th, not as
a private individual nor as a visitor.
Any pretense that he went there dis
robed of his authority is too childish
to be considered by sensible men. The
moment he arrived at Santiago he was
responsible for what might occur. He
arrived there with the Yale, Columbia
and Rita, loaded with infantry and
three ships loaded with artillery, be-
sides those already disembarked. He
decided to disembark the troops and
artillery named on the west side of
Santiago, as was understood before
leaving Washington, and before he
went ashore he made the necessary ar
engagements accordingly He then pro-
ceeded to the front and after consult
ing with General Shafter a note was
sent to the Spanish commander by
General Shafter saying that the COM
mading General of the United States
army had arrived in his camp with
strong reinforcements, and would meet
agreeable to him.
The reply of the Spanish commander
was that he would meet him at u
O'Clock next morning. The meeting
was held, and after some conversation
between General Shafter and General
Toral, General Miles frankly admitted
to the Spanish General that he had
left Washington six days before. and
it was then the determination of the
Government that this portion of the
Spanish army must be captured or de-
stroyed. He also informed the Span
ish General that his reinforcements
had arrived with him: that some Of
these forces had already disembarked,
and the remainder would be disem-
barked on the west side of the harbor
and that it was useless for him to
contend against the inevitable. These
transports could also be plainly seen
by the Spanish from MORO Castle and
other points.
General Toral replied that as long
as he had rations and ammunition he
had to fight, in order to maintain the
honor of the Spanish army. In re-
spouse to that he was informed that he
had already maintained that honor,
and that further efforts would be use
less, and would result in a wanton sac
rifce of human life. He .then said
that he was waiting to hear from his
Government, and was informed by
General Miles that he had already
taken much time for that purpose, and
would be given to daylight Of the fol-
lowing morning. it being then 3 O'Clock,
to submit an answer He begged for
longer time, and earnestly requested
until y o'clock This was finally
agreed to by General Miles, the meet
ing dissolved and the officers separated
On returning from this conference a
dispatch was received by General
Miles from Washington as follows:
Washington Cd. c., July 13-Major
General Miles: You may accept sur
render by granting parole to officers
and men, the officers retaining their
side arms. the officers and men after
parole to be permitted to return to
Spain, the United States assisting. If
not accepted, then assault, unless in
your judgment an assault would fail
Consult with Sampson, and pursue such
course as to the assault as you jointly
agree upon. The matter should be set
tied promptly. r. A. ALGER,
Secretary Of War
This, the statement says, does not
look as if General Miles was there as
a visitor. He was charged with the
responsibility of ordering an assault
upon the intrenchments and fortifica-
tons of an army which, If successful
would have cost at least 5000 men. or
of Withholding the assault, if in his
judgment such assault would fail No
greater discretion was ever given to
any General commanding an army,
and, what is more, as will be observed,
he was authorized to accept the sur
render, which in the interest of his
he generously declined to
do, and went away, leaving all the
honor to his next in rank, General
Shafter
On the morning succeeding the first
interview a letter was received from
General Toral, of which the following
is a literal translation:
Santiago de Cuba, July IA. 1885,
General-in-Chief of the American
Forces-Honored Sir: His excellency.
the General-in Chief Of the army of the
island of Cuba telegraphs from Ha-
vana yesterday at Z p. m. the follow
ing: Believing the business of such
Importance as the capitulation Of that
place to be known and decided upon
by the Government of her majesty. /
give. you notice that / have sent the
conditions of your telegram asking an
answer, and enabling you
also to show this to the General of
the American army to see if he will
agree to await the answer of the Gov
elHineHl, WINCH cannot De as soon as
the time upon which he has decided,
as communication by way of Bermuda
is more slow than by way of Key
West. In the meanwhile, your honor
and the General of the army may agree
upon equalization on the basis of re-
patriation. returning to Spain
Il have the honor to transmit this to
you that in case you may consider the
foregoing satisfactory, that he may
designate persons in representation of
himself. who, with those in my name.
may agree to clauses of the capitula-
ton upon the basis of returning to