The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-12
NO BATTLE YET AT SANTIAGO
OPPOSING FORCES STILL RESTING ON
THEIR ARMS.
Negotiations for Surrender OF City Contin-
ued-Linares Seeking to Save His Army
from Captu, Q, But to This Shafter
VIII Not Agroe.

Washington, July 0.--Ihe great
battle expected today did not take
place, although the armistice expired
at noon, with the forces on both sides
at Santiago lined up for battle. The
reason was that the Spanish COM
mander, who had been in correspon-
dence by telegraph with his home
government, was seeking to make
terms with General Shafter by which
he might save his army flom cap
ture. He was willing to give up
Santiago without resistance if al
lowed to retl It with all his mon and
arms across tho island, but this idea
was not entertained for moment by
our government. On the contrary,
every effort will be put forth to seal
up all avenues Of escape from Santi-
ago and to compel the final surren-
der of the Spanish army. TO have
allowed them to make their way un
molested into the interior would have
amounted simply to reinforcing the
garrison of Havana by these thous-
ands of trained soldiers, who had
proven their courage in the fighting
in the trenches. On the other hand,
to compel their surrender it is be-
lieved will certainly produce an onor-
nous moral effect both in Havana
and in Spain itself, and thus tend to
the early conclusion of the war.
Secretary Alger and Adjutant Con
eral Corbin were IN communication
with General Shafter at Santiago
during the day. Both officials, how
ever, declined positively to give out
for publication any dispatches relat-
ing to the negotiations that are go
ing Oh between General Shafter and
General Linares, OF to confirm any
of the exciting rumors that we're fly
ing through the corridors all day.
Nevertheless, it was evident from
their manner that crisis had been
reached, so far as Santiago was con-
cerned, and that as matters stood at
the close of the day there was no
reason to be dissatisfied with tho
outlook. 1t is known that General
Shafter has lost nothing by the ar
mistice; his men are rested, the COM
missary improved, the roads have
been cleared and his artillery is now
almost completely placed in a most
affective manner. None Of these
things existed at the beginning of
the armistice. On the other hand,
the Spanish forces have largely di-
minished their slender stock of pro-
Visions and have steadily lost in con-
.fidence. AS soon as they are con-
yinced that they will be humanely
5tfeated and fed and will not be sub
fNed to inhumane treatment (and
q a o}Syyar department proposes that
s& .oph }pll be thus protected), it is
snrec5ted there will be many desor.
lions from the Spanish lines.
81 M3 There is the strongest indisposi-
Sion on the part of the strategists to
entertain favorably the proposition
said to be under consideration ut
Madrid looking to an armistice of
ton days in order to consider terms
sof peace. They believe that tho
.Unitod States has everything to lose
and nothing to gain by accepting
1H .anch proposition. During that
time Camara's squadron might find
5tI Iaaie lodgement in some strongly for
titled coast town like Ferrol and thus
.elude Watson's pursuit.
Admiral Sampson contributed
3rothirg further dnring the day to
ct dispatch announcing tho
l-dlity Of saving the Spanish
,Colon, Maria Teresa and Viz.
Telegraphic difficulties have
encountered, but it is not be-
ID there has been anything of
,rtance for tho admiral to chron-
today.
avail officials feel that another
age may have to be made in tho
xe-up Of the Eastern squadron,
.ich is t. strike blow against tho
Danish coast, rs tho battleship Iowa
uttered some hard knocks during the