The record-union., 1898-07-11
ToRAL OFFERED SURRENDER.
But Shafter Declined to Accede to
His Terms.

Copyrighted 1898, by Associated Press.l
ON BOARD THE ASSOCIATED
PRESS BOAT WANDA. OFF JURA-
qua, July g. p. m, via Port An
tonic (Jamaica), July 10, a. M, and
Kingston Jamaica), 1910 a. m.-The
surrender of Santiago was formally Of
fered by the Spanish commander, Gen
eral Toral, to-day, but the conditions
attached caused a prompt refusal of
the offer by General Shafter. The ne
gotiations however, resulted in the ex-
tension of the armistice until noon,
Sunday, and white flags of truce still
float over the opposing armies.
General Toral's proposal contem-
plated the immediate surrender of the
city, but he insisted that his army
be permitted to march away under
arms and with flying colors. and de-
clared that he would fight to the last
ditch unless the conditions were ac-
cepted.
General Shafter replied that moth
ing but unconditional surrender would
be considered by him, but he consented
to cable the Spanish offer to Wash
ington in the meantime extending the
armistiee.
1t was shortly before noon to-day
when a little group of Spanish officers
under a flag of truce came out from
under the yellow wall of the besieged
city and slowly made its way toward
the American line. A detail was sent
to meet them, and they were escorted
to comfortable quarters, while the let
ter from General Toral was carried to
General Shafter's tent, two miles from
the icily courteous terms character
istic of such communications, and was
as brief as possible. 1t bore the sig
nature of General Toral, who COM
mands at Santiago since General
Linares was wounded. and stated that
he was prepared to surrender the city,
provided his army would be permitted
to capitulate with honor" This, he
explained, meant that the Spanish
should be unmolested and go in any d.
rectiorl they wished with Gtm and
flying their colors.
The letter continued with the bold
statement that surrender under any
other terms was an impossibility and
would not be considered.
General Shafter Immediately cabled
the facts to Washington, and sent to
General Toral refusal Of his pro-
posal but added that he would COM
municate with his Government and
would extend the informal armistice
until Sunday noon 1t is deemed prob
able that the truce may extend even
beyond the time designated, as the
offer of General Toral to surrender on
any terms is regarded as an indication
that the Spanish commander has de-
cided upon surrender upon the best
terms obtainable.
The general condition Of the health
of the American troops is excellent
but the water supply is poor and a
number of cases of malarial fever have
developed No deaths have resulted
however, and in nearly all instances
the fever has been broken by lib
eral use of quinine. The hardships
of the campaign and the fears of pos
sibie attacks of fever have rid the
army in the field and on the coast
of non-combatants, with the exception
of a few newspaper correspondents.
who have been on the ground since
the American warships appeared off
Santiago. and which con Aitute the
force able to report the progress of
the war with the assistance of the dis
patch boat service. The second fleet
| of transports arrived this morning,
bearing 900 troops, including large
detachment of artillery. If the peace
negotiations fail the heavy guns Will
| be most valuable addition to the
artillery now in the field, and it is
| expected that they will be rushed for
ward to the front. The new troops
/ will be landed tomorrow and pushed
| forward as rapidly as possible.
| The days of temporary peace are be-
| ing utilized by both armies in strength
/ ening their defenses. The Americans
have strongly intrenched themselves,
and the artillery now at the front has
been placed in strong position behind
earthworks, and will be able to cover
/ the advance of the troops much more
effectively than during the previous en-
! gagement The feeling is strong
! among officers and men that Santiago
will surrender without further fight
/ ing.
The wounded in the hospitals are be-
/ ing we'll cared for. and in almost every
! instance are recovering rapidly.