The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-07-16
SKATER HASTENS
TORAL'S DECISION
TO CAPITULATE
American GENERAL Firm but Con-
siderote in Dealing With
the Spdniurds.

rection of affairs or to detract in the
least from the glory of General Shat
ters achievement
General Shafter insisted at the out
set that the commissioners to be ap-
pointed should have paramount au-
thority to make and conclude the terms
of surrender, in accordance with our
demands. After parleying, General
Toral acceded to this, explaining that
since his last communication he had
received direct authority from General
Blanco to do so. This being the main
point, the interview was soon con-
Guided.
Before parting General Shafter COM
plimented General Toral highly upon
the skill and gallantry of his resist
ance.
Upon return to General Wheeler's
headquarters the news of our complete
victory was communicated to General
LaWton and to General Kent, and to
the brigade commanders. A scene of
general rejoicing followed General
Shafter held a regular levee before he
dismounted and was congratulated and
complimented by all. He Immediately
appointed General Wheeler, General
Lawton and Captain Miley to become
commissioners on his behalf to treat
with those appointed by General Toral.
He then issued orders to permit our
troops to retire from the trenches, but
absolutely forbidding any one soldier or
civilian going into the Spanish lines.
The refugees are to be permitted to
return to their homes, but neither our
troops nor the Cuban auxiliaries are to
be permitted to enter the city at pres
ent.
The order as to the Cubans is very
specific. They have shown a DISPOSE
ton to loot anything and any place.
They are not to have the privilege of
Cutting their appetites for plumber in
Santiago.
A guard is to be maintained about
the city and the camps of our soldiers
are to be removed just to the front or
to the rear of our present lines, as in
individual cases is most practicable
The change of the camp sites will I'M
doubtedly improve the health of the
troops. The whole purpose of the
American commander now is to protect
the health of the army, especially from
the dreaded contagiOn. 1t is claimed
there is no fever in Santiago, but the
city Is full of filth and stencil, and if
our men are allowed to go in it will
undoubtedly become a pesthole.
The boys in the trench holes were
ignorant of the outcome of the nego-
tiations until a heavy luncheon of cof-
fee, hard tack and corned beef had
been served to them.
Then General Shafter appointed
Colonel Astor and Captain McKittrick
to convey the welcome intelligence
along the line. Some of the officers ia
vored celebrating the victory with
bands and noisy demonstration, but
General Shafter vetoed the proposition.
He said there was no occasion to
humiiate the enemy. who had fought
bravely. Not even cheering was to be
permitted.
McKfttrick could warn the soldiers the
latter broke out into wild hurrahs.
Some danced about, threw their hats
into the air, Rugged each other
and congratulated themselves upon the
prospect of getting out of Cuba in a
few days.
General Shafter instructed the Com
nissioners that the inside harbor en-
trance be Immediately opened to al
low. Clara Barton of the Red Cross Co
ciety and the supply ships to enter, and
that the railroad from Siboney be
opened for similar purpose.
We are to supply the Spanish prison
ers with food pending their concentra-
ton and embarkation. General Toral
requested this, saying there was very
little food. 1t is probable that the
Spanish steamers in the harbor will be
used in part for the transportation Of
the surrendered men to Spain. The
spanish troops dDdHuoiIeu lHe en-
trenchments early this afternoon and
went into the city.
Our Commissioners, attended by
an interpreter, entered the Spanish
lines shortly after o'clock and had not
returned when the correspondent left
with this dispatch.
General Miles and his staff arrived
at Siboney from the front and went
aboard the Concha. On the wharf Cen
eral Miles said:
Santiago has surrendered on our
terms after vainly trying for long
time to get better ones. The result is
highly gratifying. The Spanish prison.
ers will be transported to Spain by us.
The surrender carries with it not only
the city of Santiago but the entire San
tiago military district, being the east
ern portion of Cuba, west to line