The Portland daily press., 1898-09-08


Miles was directed to go wherever he
deemed his presence was required and
that he should give such directions as in
his opinion were best for the army and
for the government. These were the
circumstances under which Gen. Miles
left Washington, arriving at Santiago,
July II, not as a private individual, nor
there disrobed of his authority or official
capacity is too childish to be considered
by sensible men. >
From the moment he arrived at Santi-
ago, he was responsible for what might
occur. He designed to disem bark the
troops and artillery named on the west
side of Santiago, as was understood be-
fore leaving Washington and before he
went ashore be made the necessary
arrangements accordingly. He then pro-
ceeded to the front and after consulting
with Gen. Shafter note was sent to the
Spanish commander by Gen. Shafter say
ing that the commanding general OF the
United States army had arrived in his
camp with strong reinforcements and
would meet him between the lines at any
time agreeable to him. The reply of the
Spanish commander was that he would
meet him at 12 O'Clock the next morn
ing The meeting was held and after
some conversation between Gen. Sbafter
and General Tora1, Gen. Miles frankly
informed the Spanish general that he had
left Washington six days before and it
was then the intention of the government
that his portion of the Spanish army
must be destroyed. He also Informed the
Spanish general that his reinforcements
had already arrived with him, that some
of these forces had already disembarked
and that the remainder would be disem-
barked on the west side Of the. .harbor and
that 1t was useless. for him to contend
against the inevitable. These transports
could also be plainly seen by the Spanish
from MORO Castle and otherspoints. Gen.
Toral replied that so long as he had
rations and ammunition he had to fight
in order to maintain the honor Of the
Spanish army. In response to that he was
informed that he had already maintainea
the honor of the Spanish army, and that
further efforts would be useless and would
result in the wanton sacrifice of human
life. He then said that he was waiting
to hear from his government and was
informed by Gen. Miles that he had al
ready taken much time for that purpose
and would be given until daylight of the
following morning, it being then 3
o'clock, to submit his final answer.s He
begged for further time and earnestly re-
quested until IL o'clock next day. This
was finally granted by Gen. Miles the
meeting dissolved and the officers
separated. On returning from this con.
ference despatch was received by Gen.
Miles from Washington as follows:
Washington, July 49,, 1898.
Major General Miles:
You may accept the surrender by grant
ing parole to officers and men, the officers
retaining their side arms, the officers and
men after parole to'be permitted to return
to Spain, the United States assisting. If
not accepted then assault, unless in your
Judgment an assault would fail. Consult
with Sampson and pursue such course as
to the assault as you jointly agree upon.
Matter should be settled promptly.
(Signed) r. A. ALGER,
Secretary Of War.
This does not look as If Gen. Miles was
there visitor. He was charged with
of ordering an assault upon
the entertainments and Notifications of
an army, which. if successful, would have
cost at least 5000 mon. Or of withholding
the assault If, in his judgment, such as
sault would fail. No greater discretion
was ever given to any general command
ing an army and what is more, as will be
observed he was authorized to accept the
sure nder which in the interest of his
subordinates he generously declined to
do and went away leaving all the honor
to his next in rank, Gen. Shafter. On
the morning succeeding the first interview
a letter was received from Gen. Toral of
which the following is a literal transla
ton:
Santiago de Cuba, July IA. 1888.
General-in- Chief of the American forces:
Honored Sir-His excellency, the gem
eral- -in-chief of the army of the island OF
Cuba telegraphs from Havana yesterday
at p. m. the following:
Believing the business OF such import
be known and decided upon by the gov
ernment of His Majesty, give you notice
that / have sent the conditions of your
telegram asking an immediate answer
and enabling you also to show this to the
general of the American army to see II he
will agree to await the answer OF the gov
ernment which cannot be as soon as the
time which he has decided, as COM
munication by the way of bermuda is
much slower than by Key West. In the
meanwhile your honor and the general OF
the American army may agree upon
capitalization on the basis OF repatriation
(returning to Spain). :.
l have the honor to transmit thls 20
you that in case you may consider tne
foregoing satisfactory that he may deslg.
nate persons, in representation OF himself
who with those in my name may agree TO
clauses of the oapituation upon the basis
of returning to Spain, accepted already IN
the beginning by the general. .in-chlef OF
this army.
Awaiting reply, ] am,
Very re spectfnlly your servant,
JOSE TCRAL, etc.
At the meeting on the following day
Gen. Toral stated that he was prepared to
,,u,,r 1ar with the aDDroya1 of the coDtoi n