Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-07-21
THE v Ar,
Surrendered Santiago.
WATSON TO GO TO SPAIN.
MILES OFF FOR PORTO RICO.

MlLhS UFF TUX PURTU RlCU.
| The week has been one of gratify-
ing results. There has been no fight
ing of note, but Santiago has sur
rendered without material loss of life.
This has been contemplated, but
there was much parlying before it was
accomplished. 1t seems that whilst
the Spaniards are good fighters they
are better diplomatists, and undertook
to outwit Shafter in their arrangement
of terms. 1t is certain that Gen. Toral
would never have surrendered when
he did had he not been out of rrovis-
ions. The prisoners brought to this
country are the sorryest set that
conld be imagined. Below is a detail
ed account Of the negotiations which
led up to and constituted the surren-
der on Friday.
Gen. Shafter cabled to Washington
the gratifying news that at least 25 900
Sponish troops would be included in
the surrender by Gen. ToraI of Santi-
ago and an outlying district. OF these
about one-half are in the city of San
tiago and the rest distributed among
other garrisons.
1t was also stated by Gen. Shafter
| that the formal terms of surrender
had not been agreed upon, as the
| Spanish commissioners insisted that
| tide Spadish troops should be allowed
to take their arms back with them to
Spain. Over this point the commits
sioners discussed for several hours on
Thursday and again nsxt morning.
At the time of Skaters cablegram no
decision had been reached.
At a conference early Friday morn
ing at the White House it was decided
to instruct Gen. Shafter not to give
in to this Spanish demand, but to in
sist upon a prompt and unconditional
surrender. There are suspicious that
Gen. Toral is playing to gain time.
1t is stated by Gen. Toral that per
mission to surrender had been granted
him by Gen. Bianco and by the Mad
rid government. The British vice
consul, vino was one of the Spanish
comm issioners, stated that the Ameri-
cans had tapped all the water mains
and that water famine was imminent
in Santiago.
The Spanish general does not want
to lay down his arms. He desires to
carry them back to Spain with the
trnnns This
positively and emphaticallp refused.
| Gen. Toral must surrender on our own
| terms. Otherwise the city will be at 4
tackled from land and sea and occupied
by American troops.
Thus it appears that the question OF
allowing the Spanish troops to take
their arms back to Spain has been the
one point standing between peaceable !
or foeceiple taking of Santiago.
1t was part of the terms that the
Spanish troops were to be transported
to Spain at the cost of the United
States. This is @ big job.
| Col. Hecker, in charge of the ques-
ton of transportation, said that no
fifial decision had been reached.
The general opinion is that adver-
tisements will be published here and
abroad inviting proposals for the
transportation of the men to Spanish
soil. The proposals probably will in
clude the furnishing of subsistence
supplies while enroute, and if this pro
vision is not inserted in the advertise
menG the United States will stock the
transports before they leave Cuba
with an ample supply of provisions.
ANY objection which the Spanish !
government may raise to receiving |
the troops because Of their having
been exposed to yellow fever will be |
met by providing for their quarantine |
at Spanish ports.
Assuming that the compani es charg-
ed the usual passenger rates, the |
transportation could be effected at a |
cost not to exceed 100000, a sum
which is probably less than would be
the cost of the service if undertaken
directly by the United States
Santiago is now in possession of the
United States troops, they marched in
in on Sunday morning. At 8 o'clock |
Gen. Toral went out from the city,
and between the lines met Gen. Shat
ter and formerly surrendered. He
rendered his sword, but it was return
ed by Gen. Shafter.
At noon the American flag was for
maily hoisted over the Governors
palace in the city of Santiago. A reg
lment of American infantry and d |
squad Of cavalry represented the
American troops and about ten thou
sand residents of Santiago were pres
ent. The ceremony is described as a
dramatic one. ''The Star Spangled |
Banner and Sousa's stirring march |
'The Stars and Stripes Forever" were
played by q band, while from Capron's
battery outside the city came ma
tional salute OF twenty one guns.
Gen. Mckibbin has been appointed
military governor OF Santiago and he
at once assumed charge of the city.
The Spaniards yielded the point
that they should be allowed TO retain
their arms and carry them back to
Spain, and all day Sunday the sur
rendered troops turned in their arms
to American ordnance officers at DIES
ignated arnories. The work was not
completed, but at the close of the day
Gen. Shafter cabled to Washington
that already 1000 rifles and 100000
cartridges had been turned in.
The surrender of Gen Toral was au-
ahorized by the Madrid government.
The Spanish commander declared that
ais surrender Thursday was a eondi-
tionaI one. an / he would not sign the
terms of capituation until he had
cabled Madrid and received a favora- !
bic reply. The agreement left to the
American government the question
whether the arms would be returned,
but Secretary Alger sta ted that this
would not be done.
In many papers the War Department c
Gu Monday advertised for proposals TO c
transport the surrendered army from :
Santiago back to Cadiz Or any other !
designated port in Spain rs quickly as
possible. The officers are to have first r
cabin accommodations and the soldiers i
steerage quarters.
Dispatches from Washington say :
that the government proposes to hur i
ry the plans for the departure of Com
modore Watson's squadron against
Spanish coast cities and of the Porto e
Rico eyneditiOn Both ara aynectoH