The San Francisco call., 1898-07-12
Q c co oee ee oee

rush upon the Spanish lines at the first opportunity, with or without specific orders. Officers or regiments and com panies when asked about this report pretend ignorance, br- they add that they do not know whether they can hold the troops in check or not
 A great part of the results accom- plished thus far in the operations be- fore Santiago have come about without specific orders. At Fl Caney, for in- stance, our men had fought all day, slowly forcing their way through the hedges, lined with barbed wire, and through woods filled with entangle- ments in the face of a whitening fire to within a few hundred yards of the enemy's trenches. While these troops were preparing to charge I am told one of General Shafter's aids rushed up to General Chaffee with an order to desiSt from attacking Fl Caney and prepare to march to the support of troops in front of Santiago. General Chaffee, my informant alleges, refused to obey except on the written order of General Shafter. The aid went back to General Shafters headquarters and
  written order to cease the attack on the village. General Chaffee pointed to the lines of the Twenty fifth and Twelfth Infantry, who then were climbing the steep hill toward the prin- cipal fortification of Fl Caney, and said: There are my troops; go and stop them" The aid returned to Gen eral Shafter and reported the alleged insubordination, but before his report was heard by the American commander Fl Caney had passed into the posses sion of General Chaffee's troops
 I am told that the reason the Spanish proposed to evacuate Santiago if they could march out quietly with their arms and ammunition was because they feared they would be massacred by the Cubans If they should surrender internationally There Is much feel ing between our troops and the Gu bans due in part to the refusal of the insureents to help build roads. The New York, Massachusetts and Michi- gan troops have done this work
 A Spanish deserter who entered our lines this morning was taken to Gen. eral Wheelers headquarters, where he talked freely of the situation in Santi- ago. He said that the Spanish sol diers were much better satisfied since General Toral took command owing 10 the wounding of General Linares. To- ral, he said, issues a supply of rum to the soldiers three times a day, and has paid each soldier B. That is the first pay the Spanish troops have received ir limo to fight if given plenty to eat. Although the water pipes leading into the city have been tapped, enough water for all present needs is obtained from the wells in the city. There are also enough rations, particularly rice and beans, on hand to supply the Spanish forces for some time, so the deserter declared. He said that the city's streets were filled with trenches and many houses had been loopholed so troops could fire from within. From this same deserter the information was obtained that there were no war vessels of any kind in the harbor; that General Toral has plenty of rife ammunition, but that artillery ammunition is scarce. He estimated the garrison now In and about the city numbered 12000 men, in- cluding the endorsements which re- gently arrived. The condition of the refugees at Fl Caney is slightly im- proved, but the situation Is such as to invite disease.
 The Red Cross is doing excellent work, but the relief furnished sufferers still is inadequate. Efforts are being made to mark the graves of all Amer jeans killed in the operations about Santiago.
 Vultures already are attacking the mounds where our fallen heroes are buried. It is proving impossible to keep our soldiers from violating the rules laid down for their guidance. The men persist in eating green fruit and drinking unboiled water.
 The soldiers to-day carved the name of the late Lieutenant Guerney on the San Juan blockhouse. He participated in the fighting on San Juan hill as a member of the Twelfth Infantry and was killed there.
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