The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-19

General wheeler's Headquarters, Be
fore Santiago de Cuba, July IL, 4 p.
m, via Kingston, ia, July IA, l:3O p.
m.-White flags still fiutter over the
opposing lines. The truce has been ex-
tended until tomorrow noon, and ne
gotiations looking to the surrender Of
Sentiago are proceeding. Both sides
have yielded somewhat. General Toral,
the Spanish commander, realizes the
hopelessness of further resistance and
the American commanding general,
Shafter, is inclined to reduce the
harshness Of the terms which he at
first proposed to impose upon the en-
envy.
1t appears that on Monday General
Shafter did not again demand the un-
conditional surrender which General
Toral had refused on Sunday, but Of
fered, as an alternative proposition, to
accept the capitulation of the enemy
and to transport the Spanish officers
and troops to Spain, they to leave all
their arms behind and he to accept
their parole. 1t vas this proposition
which General Toral declined yester-
day. This morning it was decided to
hold a personal interview with Gen
eral Toral.
General Miles and his staff, who got
no further than General Skaters
headquarters last night, accompanied
by General Shafter and his staff, rode
out to the front shortly before 8
o'clock, under a flag of truce.
A request for a personal interview
with the Spanish cOmmander-in-chief
was made and acceded to, and at
about 9 o'clock Generals Miles, Shat
ter, Wheeler, Gilmour, Colonel Morse,
Captain Wiley and Colonel Maus rode
up, passed over our entertainments
and went down into the valley be-
yond. They were met by General TOral
and his chief of staff, under a spread
ing mango tree, at the bottom of the
valley, about half way between the
lines.
THE INTERVIEW.
The interview that followed lasted
an hour. The situation was placed
frankly before General Toral and he
was offered the alternative of being
sent home with his garrison or leav-
ing Santiago province, the only condi-
ton imposed being that he should not
destroy the existing Notifications and
should leave his arms behind. This
latter condition the Spanish general,
who does not speak English, explain
ed through his interpreter was i'm
possible. He said the laws of Spain
gave a general no discretion. He might
abandon a place when he found it I'M
tenable, but he could not cave his
arms behind without subjecting him.
self to the penalty of being court-mar-
tailed and shot. His government, he
said, had granted him permission to
evacuate Santiago-that was all. Fur
Their than that he was powerless to go.
Without saying SO in words, Gen
eral Miles said the tenor Of General
Toraps remarks all betrayed his reali-
cation that he could not hold out
long. When General Shafter explain
ed that our reinforcements were COM
ing up, that he was completely sur
founded and that new batteries were
being posted, General Toral simply
shrugged his shoulders. II am but a
subordinate" he said, and l obey my
government. If it is necessary we can
die at our posts"
General Toral is a man of 60 years
of age, with a strong, rugged face and
fine soldierly bearing. His brave
words inspired a feeling Of respect
and admiration in the hearts of his
adversaries, Nevertheless. the Spanish
generals anxiety to avoi further sac
riice of life in his command was man
ifest and he did not hesitate to ask for
time to communicate the situation to
Madrid, although he obviously shook
his head when he spoke or the prop
able response.
In the course of an interview, Gem
eral Toral said the bombardment of
Sunday and Monday had done little
damage. He admitted that shells from
the runs of the fleet a destroyed
four houses, but he asserted that only
half a dozen soldiers of the garrison
had been injured. He also volunteered
the information when General Miles
calamity inquired after General Lii
Mares wound that the latter would
probably necessitate the a~mputation of
the left arm at the shoulder.
General Miles, at the interview, did
not attempt to assume the direction
of the negotiations, but, as general of
the United States, he vouched for the
conditions General Shafter offered.
OUR GENERALS IN CONsULTA-
TION.
JJpon the return OF our commanders
to the American lines an important
consultation was held at General
Wheeler's headquarters.
Generals Garcia and Castillo, with
their STATS, had ridden around from
the extreme right to see General
Miles. 1t was a notable group, gather
ed under the protecting awning OF
General Wheeler's tent.
General Miles, in fatigue uniform,
with the ouble star on his shoulders
and his campaign hat encircled by a
single strand of gold braid, looking
the ideal soldier, sat on an empty am
munition box and formed the center
of the party. On the right Of General
Miles sat General Shafter and on his
left was General Garcia, in m~ud-spat-
ted white uniform, with heavy riding
boots and jingling spurs. The Cuban
general wore a large weather worn
panama hat. and at his side was a sill
ver-mounted machete. General Garcia
has a strong, swarthy face, with a
deep bullet scar in his forehead. In a
general way he is not unlike a Cuban
edition of General Miles.
General Wheeler with priZZled