Evening journal., 1898-07-09
ASSAULT ON SANTIAGO.
The Final Attack by American Forces
May Be Made Today.
GEN. LINARES CABLES TO MADRID
Probably Asked Permission TO Surrender
to shafter--R r--Re-enforcements Go To-
day with General Miles ON
the Yale and Columbia

day with General Miles ON
the Yale and Columbia
WASHINGTON, July 9.-There was a
continuation Of peace talk yesterday
and other evidences In this line than
those OF Thursday are coming to the
surface. Such, for instance, was the
confirmation by the state department
OF the report that the Cadlz fleet was
returning TO Spain, since II is scarcely
conceivable that the Spanish govern
ment would doom this last remnant OF
their fleet TO destruction at the hands
of Watsons squadron, which In all
probability could head it Off before II
reached Cadiz, its home port. There
fore the assumption is that the Span
ish government calculates that at least
an armistice precedent TO peace VIII be
obtained before the ships reach Spain.
An unusually definite report was In
circulation that the United States had
been sounded In the interest Of peace
by the British ambassador, but when
Il was brought to Sir Julian Paunce-
fotes attention he authorized an eX-
plicit denial and said he had not com-
munoated with the government In any
way regarding the termination Of the
war.
Conditions at Santiago also are re-
garded as favorable just now, according
to General Skaters dispatch received
during the forenoon. Nothing more
came from him yesterday, but the inn
preston prevails that the Spanish are
IN "a desperate plight within the lines of
the city, and General Skaters action
In allowing Linares TO communicate
freely with Madrid Is an implication
that there Is at least "A reasonable hope
that the Spanish general c0ntemplates
a surrender. However that may be, ev
cry preparation Is making for great
engagement-the final one at Santiago,
II Is hoped, which may begin even as
early as today II Skaters re-enfofce-
ments are on hand. The department has
not heard so far OF the arrival of these
soldiers. but believes they have reached
Shafter.
The greatest difficulty that has been
encountered is IN the landing Of troops
and supplies. This being the hurricane
season and the wind setting straight on
the southern coast. the masters Of the
transports have become alarmed and
taken their ships many miles out to
sea, necessitating long journeys by the
D. ships boats which make their landings
through the surf with the greatest diff
Guilty and danger. SO slow and tedious
has been the service under these condi-
tions that Secretary Alger has ordered
General Shafter TO seize the transports
one and all and place them as near the
coast as ne chooses without regard TO
the fears OF their masters. Ten days
ago lighters were started down from
Mobile and Tampa, but so far General
shafter has received only one. These
lighters have been nightmare 20 the
department ever since. The captains tie
up IN creeks at the slightest sign OF
bad weather while the charter rate Of
800 day runs on. orders have been
sent forward to terminate this state of
things. even II Il Is necessary 20 lose
few lighters in the effort 10 reach
Shafter.
The government has not yet deter
mined how TO dispose OF Admiral Ger
vera. A feeling OF the highest admira-
tlon prevails hero at the gallantry dis
played by the old warrior and the noble
spirit exhibited by him under misfor-
tune. The disposition is 60 treat him
with as great liberality as conditions
Will permit. 10 has been proposed that
he be released on parole not to engage
in hostlllties against the United States
until the end OF the war. but II has not
yet been decided whether to do this OF
70 confine the admiral technically with
I'm the limits OF the Naval academy res.
ervation at Annapolis. All the other
captured Spanish naval officers will be-
confined there save the surgeons. who
will be allowed 90 remain with the en-.
listed men at the prison station at Sea
Vys island. Portsmouth harbor. n. II
The 81. Louis Is due there today with
the first lot OF prisoners, while the Har
ward is just about To start from OF
Santiago with the remainder.
The report of the appearance OF
Spanish prlvateer of the coast OF Brit
ish Columbia. which appears TO havl
created such a commotion on the north
western coast, came from one of tn
government agents IN that section o
the world. Moreover, the same persoi
said that two vessels were taking ol
coal at a British Columbian port whlcl
Il was presumed was intended for tn
Spanish fleet should Il have made il
way into the Pacific ocean through tn
Suez canal.
The failure Of congress TO act on tn
naval advancement special acts ma
after all be beneficial as enabling tn
president 10 arrange with more deliber
alton and justice a scale of rewards 10
merltorious officers.