The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-14
READY E0R THE FINAL Bush

! 4clL - a. "a eNA4NO 4oAS@A4'~-
! READY FOR THE FINAL RUSH
OFF Juragua. July L. s p. m, via King
| ston, Jamaica, July 13, a. Mall the
negotiations for a peaceful surrender of
/ Santiago de Cuba ended in utter failure
! today CTuesday) and the city must fall
! by the sword
General Toral, the Spanish commander
has finally and definitely refused TO ac-
| cept Skaters proposal for an uncondi
tional surrender and the American army
now only awaits the word of its general
to begin the final struggle.
Just when the attack will be made de-
ponds upon the time which will ensue
before General Randolph can land mis-
batteries at the front. as it is definitely
settled that the forward movement will
not begin unil he army is fully backed
up by he big guns the absence of which
cost so many lives during the previous
engagements.
General Rsndolph's movements began
this morning and tonight, out Of ten bat
teries, but one, of four guns, had sue
ceeded in making its way over the almost
impossible trail to the trenches at the
front. This, with the four batteries al
ready there, is not considered by the Am
erican commander as sufficient and prob
ably "a hours more will elapse before the
general engagement begins.
General Skaters second and last pro-
posal to surrender was sent into Santi-
ago at noon yesterday. 1t went in the
form Of a terse note in which the general
pointed out the hopeless of the Spanish
troops, cut off from reinforcements and
without means to combat our feet, which
can hurl shells by the hundred into the
heart of the city. Unconditional slNlen-
der, il was declared, was the only terms
to be considered and only prompt accept
ance Of these terms could save the Span
ish forces and innocent citizens from aw
ful slaughter.
The firing, which has been going on at
intervals since Sunday afternoon, was or
dered stopped when the flag of truce star
ted for the Spanish lines and has not been
resumed since.
No attention 2 paid to General Shat
ters communication until shortly after
s o'clock this morning, when a reply I'M
der a flag of truce came. General Tolar
was as brief as his foe, saying, in effect,
that if the Americans wanted Santiago
they would have to come and get it. He
declared unconditional surrender TO be en-
tirely beyond reason and possibility and
expressed himself as ready to meet an
attack at any time the invading army
saw fit TO make one.
General Shafter accepted the answer as
final and although no firing was ordered
It,
battle were begun General Randolphs |
troops were ordered rushed from the land
ing place at Juragua and change in the
lines was made. General Lawton's entire
division was moved to the northward a
mile and a half, his extreme right being !
placed at Caimenes on the border of the |
harbor. This movement places the Amer
lean forces in a semi-circle entirely sur
rounding Santiago and cutting off the re- !
treat of the Spaniards except by water, /
as our TANKS rest at the waters edge.
The late arrivals of the volunteers were |
moved up the First Illinois. Eighth Ohio |
and First District of Columbia, were To- |
Gated in the trenches vacated by Lawton's |
battery. Hines battery was swung around |
TO the north, closely connecting with Law
tons forces and now occupies bluff from |
which it can fire directly into the heart !
of the city. This is most important move, |
as il enables the American forces to shell |
the city without injuring the hospitals /
and public buildings, which are flying he |
Red Cross flags, the present position being |
such that shells can be thrown over the |
buildings. thus protected from assault.
General Lawton anticipates little diff
in = ~ ~
positions.
Under the present plans the American !
army and navy will begin the attack al
the same time. The fleet will hurl shells |
into the city. while the great force of
American soldiers Will gradually tighten
about the Spanish possessions. the divis-
ions advancing from all along the line
As the semi-cirCle narrows. the batteries
in the rear viii maintain a heavy fire.
TIE American officers feel confident the
city can withstand this terrible assault
but a short time.
Hines battery yesterday did some fore
ing on the bull ring in the northern end /
OF he city and also the trenches. The
seemed to have little effect on
the Spanish in tn etrenchs an dapparent-
~ did very little damage
General Niles went to the front today
CTuesday) and probably viii remain there
the greater part Of tomorrow. He went
ashore early this morning and telephoned
10 General ShafJer. The latter advised
him not 10 start out until later, as the
roads were IN a frlEhtful condition from
the rains and badly blocked by supply
trains.
The general waited until noon and then
set our. accompanied by troop \. Of the
Second cavalry. she only mounted troop
Of General Skaters army.