The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-15
TALKING lO 10RAL
Story of the Conference Be-
tween the Lines.
SPANISH GENERAL FIRM
Yankee Generals Admire Him,
But War is War.

General Wheeler's Headquarters, Before
Santiago de Cuba, July 13 a p. mo-, via
Kingston, Jamaica, July "A Q:30 p. M
White flass still fHter over the opposing
lines. The truce has been extended until
tomorrow (Thursda.D noon and negotia-
tons looking to he surrender of San
tiago are proceeding. Both sides have
Welded somewhat General Toral. the
Spanish commander, realizes the hopeless
ness of further resistance and the Amer
lean commander, General Shafter, is in
clined TO reduce the harshness of the
terms which he at first proposed to i'm
pose upon the enemy.
1t appears that on Monday General
Shafter did not again demand the uncon-
ditional surrender which General Torag
had rfused on Sunday, but offered as an
alternative proposition to accept the cap
itulation of the enemy and to transport
the Spanish officers and troops to Spain,
they to leave al their arms behind and he
to accept their parole. It was this prop
osition which General Toral declined yes
terday.
This morning (eWGnesday) ii was de-
cided to hold a personal interview with
General Toral. General Miles and his
staff. who got no further than General
Skaters headquarters last night, accom-
panied by General Shafter and his staff,
rode out to the front shortly before 8
O'Clock, under a flag of truce. A request
for a narconeI ir+aryy;auy with the Cpa rict,
commander-in-chie was made and &C
coded to- and at about O'clock General
Miles, General Shafter, General Wheeler,
General Gilmour, Colonel Morse, Captain
Wiley and Colonel Mause rode up, passed
over our intrenchments and went down
into the valley beyond. They were met
by General Toral and his chief of staff
under a spreading mango tree at the bot
tom of the valley about half way between
the lines. The interview that followed
lasted an hour.
The situation was frankly placed before
General Toral and he was offered the
alternative of being sent nome with his
garrison, or leaving Santiago province. the
only condition being imposed that he
should not destroy the existing fortifca-
tons and should leave his arms behind.
This latter condition the Spanish gem
eral. who does not speak English, ex-
planned through his interpreter was i'm
possible. He said the laws of Spain gave
a general no discretion He might aban-
don a place when he found it untena Bile.
but he could not leave his arms behind
without subiecting himself to the penalty
Of being court-martialed and shot. His
government. he said. had granted him
permission to evacuate Santiago That
was all. Further than that he was DOW
er'ess to 60
Without saying so in words. General
Miles said the tenor of General Toral's
remarks all betrayed his realiza ton that
he could not hold out long. When Cen
eral Shafter explained that our reinforce
ments were coming up; that he was COM
plete1y surrounded. and that new bat
teries were being posted. General Toral
simply shrugged his shoulders.
ST am but a subordinate" said he. land
obey nv government. If it is necessary
we can die at our posts"
General Toral is a man Of 6o years Of
age. with a strong, rugged face and fine.
soldierly bearing. His brave words in
spired feeling of respect and admira-
ton in the hearts of his adversaries.
Nevertheless. the Spanish generals wish
to further avoid sacrifice OF Nfe in his
command was manifest and he did not
hesitate TO ask for time to communicate
the situation 70 Madrid. although he du-
hious,y shook his head when he spoke Of
the probable response.
In the course of an interview. General
Toral said te bombardments Of Sunday
and Monday al done little damage He
admitted that shells from the guns of the
fleet had DESTROYED four houses. but no
asserted that only half dozen soldiers Of
the garrison had been injured. He also
volunteers the information. when General
Miles CALAMITY inquired after General
Linares, condition. that the latter would
probably have to undergo an amputation
Of his left arm at the shoulder
General Miles at the interview did not
attempt to assume the direction Of the
negotiations but. as general OF the United
States army. he vouched for the condi-
tons General Shafter offered.
Upon the return Of our comma nders 70
the American lines q consultation was
held at General Wheeler's headuuarters.
Generals Garcia and Castillo. with their
staff. had ridden around from the extreme
right 10 see Miles. L was notable
group gathered under Tho protecting avn
ing IF General Wheeler's tent.
General Miles. in blue fatigue uniform.
wi.h the double star on MS shol9a-s and
his CAMPAIGN hat encircIed BY a single
strand OF gold braid looking the IDEAL
soldier. sat on IN empty ammunition box
AMI formed the center Of the party.
on the right Of General Miles sat Cen
eral Shafter and on his left was General
Garcia in a mud-spotted white uniform.
with heavy riding boots and iingrng
SPURS. The Cuban general wore a large
waather-worn Panama hat. and AZ his
SIDE IVES 4 silve--roUntei uachete. Cen
ersl Garcia has a strong. swarthy face.
with deso bullet scar IN his forehead.
In a general wav he IS not unlike a Gu
ban edition - General Miles
General Wheeler. with erizz,a5 beard.
sr1al of stature. ard II a brown campaign
uniform. faced the three officers men
TONED. While about them sat the sIaes-ds-
camn 90 the four generals.
Assistant Naval Constructor Eabzo-
tha hero - the Nerrfrnac. who had como
- heaiGusrters with MESA Ces from Rear
Admiral Sampson was also present TNa
s5-"stio1 was discussed with the aid 81
q profvsion OF mans. and a. the conc'u-
SON - ia ~,-F.-,--. r----.--. -