Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-07-16
raj was accompanied by his chief of
staff and several other officers.

SCau anu S6Verdl QUIET OuCeIS.
The situation was placed frankly be-
fore General Toral, and he was offered
the alternative of being sent home
with his garrison, or leaving Santiago
province. The only condition impos-
ed was that he should not destroy ex-
listing fortifcations, and that he should
leave his arms behind. General Toral
said, through an interpreter, that this
was impossible. He said his govern
ment had granted him permission to
evacuate Santiago; but under the laws
of Spain an officer who left his arms
behind was liable to be court martial
ed and shot.
General Shafter explained that the
American re-enforcements were com.
ing up, that Santiago was completely
surrounded and that new batteries
were being posted, to which General
Toral replied 81 am only subordi-
nate, and 1 obey my government. If
it is necessary we can die at our posts. "
While these brave words inspired ad-
ditional respect and admiration in the
American officers, these latter knew
that the Spaniard was weakening and
it was only question of few hours
until he would accept the terms.
After the conference was over, the
Americans returned to their lines, and
meeting in General Wheeler's tent,
there was full discussion of the whole
situation. Then they went out and
began an inspection of the American
lines with a view to making such
changes as might be necessary.
On Thursday, as stated, General
Toral surrendered. The full condi.
tions have not yet been communicated
to this country. 1t is settled though
that the surrender includes all the
Spanish troops, about 10000 or Is, 900,
in eastern Cuba. The area of the sur
rendered country is about 5000 square
miles. The extreme length of the
tract is about 10 miles and the width
about so miles. The only garrison
within reasonably easy reach of San
tiago is that at Holguin. This Gener-
al Toral claimed was not under his
authority. The garrison, according to
General Garcia, includes about 5000
men.
The navy department had not heard,
up to the close of Office hours Thurs
day night, to what extent the Ameri-
can feet was participating in the Span
ish surrender. With Santiago in our
hands the way will be clear for Admi-
raj SIMPSONS fleet to enter the harbor
and proceed up to the whalves as
soon as the torpedoes and mines at
the harbor entrance are removed.
The Notifications of Moro castle, So
capa, Cayo Smith and others are in
cluded in the surrendered zone. The
possession of these fine fortresses, par
ticularly Moro castle, will afford val
liable garrison points for large num-
Der of men. The terms under which
the strongholds are surrendered are not
yet known in detail, but it is regarded
as likely that their big guns pass with
the surrender. While the feet will
soon be free to move up to Santiago
city, some doubt is entertained in ma
val circles whether any good will be ac-
complished by such a move, as it
might subject some of our sailors to
the contagion existing within the city.
All of the American officers at San
tiago and the authorities at Washing
ton are fully satisfied with the situa-
ton. The surrender puts an end to
further loss of life on account of fight
ing. Yellow fever and other disease,
are already playing havoc in our army.
The removal of the Spaniards to Spain
will be cheaper than feeding and
guarding them as prisoners, and there
is no way for them to ger back to
Cuba. The government will at once
let the contract to transport the troops
back to Spain to the lowest bidder. 1t
is expected that foreign steamship
lines will get this work to do.
The siege of Santiago had lasted two
weeks and was remarkable in many
respects, and in none more than the
heavy percentage OF loss through
death, wounds or sickness Of the SOL
diers and sailors engaged on both sides.
Looking back over the record Of these
two weeks it is seen that great iron
clad squadron has been destroyed,
and that nearly 1000 soldiers have died
in the trenches of Santiago. On the
other hand about $50 American SOL
diers have been killed, and in round
numbers 1000 more have been sent to
the hospitals from wounds, fevers and
other ailments. Our fleet had re-
markable exemption from disaster in
the many engagements it had with the
forts at the entrance of the harbor and
with the Spanish squadron.
"Next to Porto Rico, and if need be
to Havana" said Secretary Alger on
Thursday, after he had been advised
of the surrender. The understanding
is that General Miles will have CON-
mand of this expedition in person.
The troops that have not been landed
will not be subjected to the dangers of
yellow fever at Santiago, but will be
taken on to Porto Rico. The prob
ability is that the expedition will con-