The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-15

WASHINGTON, July 14.-There will be no
more bloodshed at Santiago. General Toral.
the commander of the Spanish forces in the
beleagured city, surrendered at o'clock
this afternoon. Notice had been served on
the Spaniards that unles they capitulated
before noon to-day the American army and
navy would unite in storming the city.
Santiago had been completely surrounded
on the land side by General Skaters troops
and there was no chance for the enemy
to escape General Toral realized his des-
perate position. and this morning sent an
other flag of truce 10 the American lines
He asked that commissioners be appointed
to arrange terms Of surrender, stating that
he had already named several of his off,
GERS with power to act for the Spanish army
General Shafter at once notified the War
Department here and a conference was held
at the White House TO consider the matter.
There was some uncertainty as to the terms
and General Shafter was notified that moth
ing short of the immediate and uncondition-
al surrender would be accepted. The Pres
ident and his advisers were in constant
communication with the army before SAINT
iago and received several dispatches, the
contents of some being withheld. The fol-
lowing was given out during the conferences:
Have just returned from interview with
General Toral. He agrees to surrender on
the basis Of being returned to Spain. This
proposition embraces all of eastern Cuba,
from Acerraderos on the south to Sagua on
the north, via Palma, with practically the
fourth army corps Commissioners meet
this afternoon at 2:30 to definitely arrange
the terms.
''W. R. SKATER. Major General"
When the foregoing was received General
6hafter was notified to proceed with the ne
gotiations. The following dispatch from
before Santiago" evidently written before
the final surrender. was also made public:
General Toral formally surrendered the
troops of his army-the troops and division
of Santiago-on the terms and understand
ing that his troops shall be returned to
Spain General Shafter will appoint COM
missioners to draw up the conditions of ar
rangements for carrying out the terms of
the surrender. This is very gratifying and
General Shafter and officers and men of
his command are entitled to great credit
for their sincerity and fortitude in over
coming the almost insuperabe obstacles
which they encountered. A portion of the
army has been infected with yellow fever,
and efforts will be made to separate those
who are infected and those who are free,
and keep those who are still on board ship
separated from those on shore. Arrange
ments will be Immediately made for carry
ing out further instructions of the President
and yourself. NELSON A. MILES,
Major General of the Army"
After the posting of the foregoing dis
patches the following unofficial statement
of the situation was made by one who had
just talked with the President: Arrange
ments are being made for commissioners to
arrange the surrender of Santiago. There
is much misunderstanding as to the effect
of the Spanish position. the administration
work delay. as before, but it is now con-
strued as looking for immediate surrender
and arrangements for that are now in
progress. General Shafter has been wired
only for immediate and unconditional sur
render, and has been informed that if for
any other purpose commissioners will not
be appointed. Our authorities, as voiced in
the dispatches to Shafter by Secretary
Alger. will attend to the details of trans
porting the Spanish forces back to Spain"
Secretary Alger returned to the War De-
partment from the White House shortly be-
fore o'clock. He expressed his gratifica-
ton at the latest reports from General
Shafter. but apparently desired to take a
conservative view OF the matter as being
of such grave Importance that it must not
be regarded as settled finally and absolutely
until actually accomplished in its details.
and said 1t remained to be known exactly
what the terms Of surrender were. He said
he had telegraphed General Shafter inouir
ing as to the exact terms. So far as the
transportation of the Spanish troops back
IL Spain went he said, 1t was fully under
stood and entirely approved. In general, he
regarded the situation as highly salts
factory.
At s:os o'clock the President received the
brief announcement: Santiago surrendered