The record-union., 1898-07-10
Is Willing to Give Up the Cuban
City Without Resistance
II Allowed to Retreat With His Men and
Arms Across the Island, an Idea
Which Will Not Be Entertained
by This Government.

WASHINGTON, July 9.-The great
battle expected to-day did not take
place, although the armistice expired at
noon, with the forces on both sides at
Santiago lined up for battle. The rea-
son was that the Spanish commander,
who had been in correspondence by
telegraph With his home Government,
was seeking TO make terms with Cen
eral Shafter by which he might save
his army from capture. He was will
ing to give up Santiago without resist
ance, if allowed to retreat with all of
his men and arms across the island, but
this idea was not entertained for a mo-
ment by our Government. On the con-
trary every effort will be put forth to
seal up all avenues of escape from San
tiago and to compel the final surrender
of the Spanish army. To have allowed
them to make their way unmolested
into the interior would have amounted
simply to a reinforcement of the gar
rison of Havana by these thousands of
trained soldiers who had proven their
~CNA o5N a. WI N4ls AOt4llGI III Ink I1Sit-
ing in the trenches. On the other
hand, to compel their surrender. it is
believed, would certainly produce an
enormous moral effect, both in Havana
and in Spain itself, and thus tend to
the early conclusion of the war.
Secretary Alger and Adjutant Gen
eral Corbin were in quick communica-
tion with General Shafter at Santiago
during the day. Both Officials, how
ever. decline positively to give out for
publication any dispatches relating to
the negotiations that are going on be-
tween General Shafter and General Lii
mares, or TO confirm any of the exct-
ing rumors that We're flying through the
corridors all day Nevertheless. it was
evident from their manner that a crisis
had been reached so far as Santiago
was concerned. and that as matters
stood at the close of the day. there was
no reason to be dissatisfied with the
outlook, as il is known that General
tice. His men are rested, the commits
sary has improved the roads have
been cleared, and his artillery is now
almost completely placed in a most eff
fective manner. None Of these things
existed at the beginning of the armis-
tice.
On the other hand, the Spanish forces
have largely diminished their slender
stock of provisions, and have steadily
lost in confidence. AS soon as they are
convinced that they will be humanely
treated and fed, and will not be sub
Jected to inhuman treatment (and the
War Department proposes that they
shall be thus protected), ii is expected
there will be many desertions from the
Spanish lines
There is the strongest indisposition on
the part Of the strategists 10 entertain
favorably the proposition said to be
under consideration at Madrid looking
to an armistice of ten days in order
TO consider terms OF peace. They be-
lieve that the United States has every
thing to lose and nothing to gain by
accepting such a proposition. During
that time Camara's squadron might
find safe lodgment in some strongly for
titled coast town like Ferrol. and thus
elude Watson's pursuit. However. his
tory shows that the directors of sue
cessful armies are always averse to
ceasing military operations until un-
conditional capitulation is achieved,
and that it requires the strong hand of
diplomacy to bring about the short
pause before the final consummation of
peace necessary TO reach common
understanding.
Admiral Sampson contributed nothing
further during the day TO his first dis
patch announcing the possibility Of
saving the Spanish ships Colon Maria
Teresa and ViZcaya. Telegraphic
difficulties have been encountered. but
IL is not believed there has been any
thing of Importance for the Admiral to
chronicle to-day.
Naval officials feel that another
change may have to be made in the
makeup of the eastern squadron, which
is to strike blow against the Spanish
coast, as the battleship Iowa suffered
some hard knocks during the recent
naval battle with Cervera's squadron.
and it may be necessary to substitute