The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-14

1KA, KANSAS. JULY L
ish troops back to Spain went, that, he
said, was fully understood and entirely
approved. In general he regarded the
situation as highly satisfactory.
Negotiating the Surrender.
General Wheeler's Headquarters, be-
fore Santiago de Cuba, July Alt ap-
pears that on Monday, Gen. Shafter did
not again demand the unconditional
surrender which Gen. ToraI had re-
fused on Sunday, but offered as an
alternative proposition, to accept the
capitulation of the enemy and to trans
port the Spanish officers and troops to
Spain, they to leave all their arms be-
hind and he to accept their parole. It
was this proposition which Gen. ToraI
declined.
1t was decided to hold a personal inter-
view with General Toral A request for
a personal interview with the Spanish
commander-in-chief was made and acced-
ed to, and General Miles, General Shafter,
General Wheeler, General Gilmour, Colo
mel Morse, Captain Wiley and Colonel
Maus rode up, passed over our entrench-
ments and went down into the valley be-
yond. They were met by General Toral
and his chief of staff under a spreading
mango tree at the bottom of the valley,
about half way between the lines. The
interview that followed lasted an hour.
BEFORE THE SURRENDER.
Washington, July IA cablegram
that the Spaniards have appointed
commissioners to arrange the terms of
surrender.
The dispatch is little indefinite. but
is taken at the war department to
mean that the Spaniards have decided
to surrender Santiago. If they do not
do so, fighting will begin at noon.
Sampson Says WOrd.
Off Santiago de Cuba, July 14.-The
postponement of the naval assault on
Santiago will delay the sailing of Com
mOdore Watson's squadron for the
coast of Spain temporarily.
Admiral Sampson has formally notf-
fed General Shafter that he must not
sign any acceptance of surrender with
out first consulting him. Admiral
Sampson is anxious that any surrender
shall include a thorough removal of all
mines in the harbor and the evacuation
of all ports which have fired on his
ships.
The ships are nowlying off Aguadores
waiting to shoot over the hills into the
city. 1t is hoped by the naval officers
that General Shafter will soon either
take the city or be successful in his de-
mands for a surrender.
Cur~andar ~ E;ob4
Washington. July 14.-The Spanish
have asked the United States for the
appointment Of a commissioner to con
fer with their commissioner at Santiago.
General Shafter has wired the Spanish
proposal and Secretary of War A1ger
and Adjutant General Corbin held a
conference with the president on the
subject.
It is believed an ultimatum will be
sent to Gen. ToraI Secretary AIger on
the way to the White House said it was
not clear what was to be the purpose
of the commission. There must be a
surrender or fight, he said.
The message had been taken to the
president a few minutes in advance by
Adjutant General Corbin and Secretary
AIger in hastily entering the cabinet
room at 11:4O a. m, to enter into a con-
sultation in answer to a query made
this brief announcement: ''They have
announced for commissioners"
He was in too much haste to make
any more definite statement or answer
inquiries.
After the White House conference,
Gen. Corbin returned to the war depart
ment and gave out this statement:
Cab1egram just received from General
Shafter says that Gen. ToraI has asked
that commissioners be appointed to ar
range terms of surrender, ToraI having
already appointed his.
The text of Gen. Skaters dispatch
was not given out.
Spain Says Fight.
Madrid, July 14-Noon-The Spanish
government has issued a statement
saying it has cabled Capt. Gen. BIanco
to order Gen Toral, the Spanish COM
mander at Santiago to resist a Pout-
rance.
Declined.
Washington, July 14-Later: The
Spanish proposition for commissioners
has been declined and Gen. shafter has