The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-07-23
THE FALL OF SANTIAGO.

After the destruction of Cervera's
fleet the surrender of the Spanish army
in Santiago followed as matter OF
course. The stats and stripes now float
over the city, and about $4,000 Spanish
troops have laid down their arms to be
sent home to Europe. The moral eff
feet to be produced on the Spanish ma
ton by the return of it's veterans will
be great. and the courteous treatment
the conquered legion has received from
the victorious Americans will have
very soothing effect on the feelings of
the proud and naughty Spaniards, who
supposed that their foes were destitute
OF chivalry and humanity. No defeated
enemy has ever been SO generously dealt
with as the Spaniards have been by the
commanders of the American army and
navy. In the moment of victory the
Americans refrained from cheering out
of consideration for the brave men they
had subdued. And brave they were,
though badly beaten. They fought val
iantly and displayed no cowardice when
getting the worst of 1t. The only troubls
was that they were outclassed, as one
pugilist is outclassed by another. The
Spanish sailors on Cervera's fleet were
conscripts, who fought against their will
and who had not been properly trained
to handle their guns, while opposed to
them were skilled gunners fighting in a
noble cause.-The liberation of a down.
trodden race.
The Spanish soldiers We're better
marksmen than the sailors, and wrought
terrible execution with their Mauser
rifles from behind entertainments, but in
the open they ran from Roosevelt's
Rough Riders and the disciplined SOL
diers Of the regular army The fact that
they ran does not make towards of
them. The British, German and French
soldiers may have done the same thing
when confronted by American sharp
shooters. The red-coats of England fled
in disorder from the llnerring shots of
tho American farmers at Concord and
Lexington. and were repulsed by them
ington under Packenham, at New Or
leans, were routed by the American yeo-
many with Jackson. The Americans
have not lost their cunning with the
rifle. and though their weapons were
not the best, the Spaniards could not
stand their shooting at short range. No
other troops could have stood their
deadly fire, and they are willing to give
the Spaniards their due. Shafter was
magnanimols enough to say that Toral
was foeman worthy of his steel
Every American feels proud of the
grand victory gained on sea and land at
Santiago. and European nations are
surprised at the achievements of our
army and navy in this war. None OF
them care to tackle America now or in
the future. But what surprises them
most is the way In which America is
treating the captves They have re-
ceived supplies of food, clothing and
medical attendance as freely and as
cheerfully as if they had worn our own
blue uniforms, and they seem to feel
grateful for our kindness and hospital
ity. No nation on earth has ever treat
ed its prisoners of war so tenderly. None
OF them were killed. as they foollshly
supposed. On the contrary, the sick
and wounded were taken care of, and
those who escaped uninjured in battle
were treated like gentlemen.
The surrender of Santiago is the be-
! ginning of the end of the war. 1t is
folly for Spain to prolons the strife. If
| her statesmen are sensible they will ne
| gotiate for peace and throw themselves
on the magnanimity of the American
government for the best settlement they
can get. The sooner they throw up the
| sponge. the better terms will they get
! from Uncle Sam. With its fleet almost
| destroyed Spain cannot continue the'war
much longer. When Watson's sllipssbe-
! -