New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-15
A BRILLIANT CAMPAIGN.
LUSTRE FOR MERICAN ARMS.
EUROPEAN CRITICISM SILENCED - A
WARNING TO SPAIN.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. J

marks another notable mllepoSt IN tnIs coun-
try's prosecution Of the Spanish war. BY the
terms OF General Torals captulation not only
does the city OF Santiago. a naval and mill
tary base Of the utmost Importance, fall into
American hands but possession OF the whole
eastern end Of Cuba is ceded to the American
forces which have within month and in the
in reducing a stror ghold second In defensive
strength on the island only to Havana Itself.
So brilliant elimination Of the first offensive
campaign in Cuba adds fresh lustre to the
record-alreadv signally inspirng-made in the
scant three months since hostilities opened by
American arms.
To have undertaken, with forces in a measure
raw and far from fsutlessly equipped the in
vasion Of Cuba at point more tnan '"e''e
hundred miles from the nearest base OF supplies
and relnforcements: TO have effected landing
on a difficult coast and overcome without ioss
the most extraordinary natural obstacles to the
prompt establishment OF an investment 10 nave
carried with numbers little greater than those
OF the city, garrison Inns upon lines OF rine PITS
and ,ntrenchments: to have fought not only
Spanish but the more insiduous attacks of a
deadly tropical climate In the first months Of the
rainy season. and. in spite OF such discourage
ment and hardshps. 10 have driven the enemy
70 bav by a series Of brilliant and desperate as
saults and TO have held him fast within his
lines until surrender became inevita ble-these
achievements by the American troops at santi-
ago have been htly crowned by triumph as
significant and decisive as that won by the guns
O. Dewey at Manila or by those Of Schley and
Sampson in the waters Of the Caribbean.
The full extent OF the victory sealed by the
articles OF surrender at Santiago cannot he
guessed from the meagre details which nave 80
far reached the War Department; but with the
can,tula,ion Of the Spanish forces in the whole
district east Of Acerraderos and the sague
River. II IS probable that the larger part Of an
army corps will be turned over FOR iransporta-
tion on parole to Spain. while with the occupa-
tion OF both the coast and Interior towns of
Santiago Province by American and Cuban
troops. Spanish military and political authority
will soon be broken forever In the eastern half
Of the island
EUROPE's EYES OPENED.
Interest centres here tonight perhaps more
keenly in the political than in the purely mill
,ary results OF the fall OF Santiago. European
opinion certainly. II spain's course Is TO be
,l.sgo. - shar
g,li find in the striking success OF Skaters
army at Santiago an emphatic confirmation OF
the hopelessness Of Spain's struggle against
the newly organized and overwhelming forces OF
the United States
AS European doubts OF the efficiency Of the
American Navy vanished in the smoke OF
Dewey's guns at Manila, so are Continental
criticisms Of the amateuri.hness and ineffective
ness OF the America Army likely 10 be silenced
by the splendid triumph OF Skaters men over
obstacles. military and natural. which few
armies have been called IN 20 face and none
nave faced with greater spirit and courage.
II Spain is at all In the mood to acknowledge
lefeat. It is thought here that to-days capitula-
ion will open the way for some proposals
through a friendly Power for the cessation OF
,ostilities II. however the succession OF ma
ionai disasters which began at Manila has not
yet broken Spanish pride. and the present losing
light is TO be continued. Spain is likely TO nave
air warning from European opinion that an
,,her six months Of warfare will probably see
Porto Rico and the Canaries go the way OF the
ohlinnines the Ladrones and Eastern Cuba. /
md an American Army slowly but surely hght-
ng its way to the gates Of Havana
One result. in military sense. OF the fall OF
santiago will be the immediate release OF the .
expedition to Porto Rico. General
files. who is to command the army OF occupa-
ION in person has been ordered. II is under .
TODD. TO be ready to start for San Juan within
en- days. General Shafter being left at Santiago
o carry into effect the stipulation Of the cartel
With General Toral. and to arrange for an
american or Cuban occupation OF Santiago .
Province The appearance OF yellow fever
mong the troops at Santiago will compel great
are in the selection OF the army which is to
apture and occupy Porto Rico. and there Is
very likelihood now that the camps at Fernan-
ina. Jacksonville. Chckamauga and Falls
,hurch will be drawn upon very largely for the
orces which are to accompany General Miles.
he problem OF transporting the Spanish pris-
ners back to Spain remains to be solved. 1t is
that the Administration will seek to
ave the captives returned on neutral vessels.
he present supply Of Government transports
eing barely sufficient for the purposes OF the
,uban and Porto Rican campaigns.
PRIZE SHIPS CONTNG NORTH.
Kew West. July 14.-The Spanish prize ships
,ata,ina. Miguel Jover. Buena Ventura and