Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-16
Grand Results of the Three Weeks
Campaigning by General
Skaters Army.
The Negotiations Leading Up to
General TOral'S Acceptance OF
Skaters Ultimatum - The
News Received UproarOusly
by the Men i'm the Trenches.

mad Deen perfected. ne ucidy
had been utilized to good advan-
tage. Our lines had been ex-
tended until Santiago was nearly
surrounded, and our light bat
teries had been so posted as to be
able to do more effective work.
In addition, arrangements had
been made to land troops at
Cabanas, west of the entrance of
the harbor of Santiago.
The Spanish batteries opposite
Moro Castle were to be lombard
ed and stormed, their guns were
then to be turned upon the city,
and Gen. Lawtons division at the
same time was to fall on the en-
emy's left flank under the cover of
our artillery fire. We could then
have enfiladed their lines and have
driven them into the city.
Gen. Toral must have realized
that he was trapped and taat to
hold out longer must mean use
less sacrifice of his men; but he
made one last effort to gain more
time this morning. While nominal
ly yielding to the terms Gen. Shat
ter proposed before o'clock. he
sent a communication to Gen. Shat
ter enclosing a copy of a telegram
from Captain General Blanco, ex-
planning that the surrender of such
an important position as Santiago
and the abandonment of eastern
Cuba would require the direct
sanction of the Madrid govern
ment and requesting more time to
hear from Madrid. At the same
time Captain General Blanco au-
thorized Gen. Toral, if it was agree
able to the American General, to
appoint commissioners of each side
to arrange the terms of the capt.
ulation of the forces under his
command, on the condition of their
parole and transportation to Spain,
pending the sanction Of Madrid.
He also communicated the names
of the commissioners he had Sc
lected, namely, Robert Mason. the
British vice consul, Gen. Toral's
chief of staff, Col. Fontaine, and
Gen. Escaraiao.
This communication was SO am
biguous that it might all be upset
by the refusal OF Madrid to sane
ton the terms agreed to by the
commissioners, and Gen. Shafter
resolved to have all the ambiguity
removed before proceedings further.
At II o'clock he mounted his
orse, and together with General
Miles and the stats, he rode to the
front. At Gen. Wheeler's head
quarters. Gen. Shafter, Gen. Miles,
Col. Maus and an int prefer left
their retinue and passed on over
our trenches, with a flag of truce,
to the mango tree under which the
interview was held yesterday.
They were soon Joined by General
Toral, his chief of staff and the
two other commissioners appoint
ed by him.
Gen. Miles took no part in the
negotiations. He has been careful
since his arrival here not to as
sumo the direction Of affairs, or to
detach in the least from the glory
of Gen. Skaters achievement.
Gen. Shafter insisted at the out
set that the commissioners to be
appointed should have paramount
authority to make and conclude
the terms of surrender in accord
ance with our demands.
After parleying, Gen. Toral ac-
ceded to this, explaining that since
his last communication he had re-
ceived direct authority from Capt.
Gen. Blanco 10 do so. This being
the main point, the interview was
soon concluded.
Before parting Gen. Shafter COM
plimented Gen. Toral highly upon
the skill and gallantry Of his re-
sistance.
Upon the return to Gen. Wheel
er's headquarters the news of our
complete victory was communica-
ted to Gen. Lawton and to Gen.
Kent and to the brigade COM
manders. A scene of general re-
joicing followed.
Gen. Shafter held regular lcvee
before he dismounted and was con-