Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-07-12

WASHINGTON, July 12.-The follow
ing dispatch was received from General
Shafter at . $50 q. m: Playa del Este,
via Hayti, July 12.-It has been very
quiet, but little fighting; flag of truce
up since O'Clock. considering the pro-
position for surrendering, now that /
have the town surrounded on the north.
The lines were completed at 5 p. M, by
General Ludlow, right down to the bay.
The line is rather thin, but will have
it strengthened in the morning by Cen
eral Henry, who has just arrived at
headquarters. Only three Or four
casualties. No one killed so far as
can learn. | expect to have two new
batteries in position tomorrow. A
great deal of suffering exists among the
people who have gone out of Santiago.
l am doing my best to relieve it, but
cannot be entirely successful.
EXPEDITION TO PUERTO RICO.
New YORK, July IA special to
the Times, from Washington, says: The
movement of the American army on
Puerto Rico may be said to have begun.
No troops have yet left these shores
openly consigned to that island, but
the continued forwarding of additional
regiments to Santiago, when it is re-
cognized that Shafter has as large an
army as he needs to take that town, IS
in reality laying the foundation of the
Puerto Rican eXpeditionary force. The
expedition to go against Puerto Rico
will consist of $4,000 to 10000 men.
MINISTRY HELD IN CoNTEMPT.
NEW YORK, July IA dispatch to
the World, frem London, says: Frances
new foreign minister, NJ. Delcasse,
notified the Spanish ambassador at
Paris, Senor Leon Castillo, that the
French government is ready to tender
the good offices of the French ambas.
sabor at Washington in opening nego-
tiations for peace, if the Madrid gov
ernment will permit it to do so. 1t is
expected in diplomatic and ministerial
quarters here that peace negotiations
will be opened through the French
Ambassador, at Washington. Sagasta's
ministry is now regarded with con-
tempt throughout Europe, it being
notorious that its members are deferred
from suing for peace only by fear for
their personal safety.
DON'T WANT 1T BAD ENOUGH.
MADRID, July IL The possibility of
peace with the United States is being
widely discussed in the newspapers and
by the public. Conservative papers
declare that Spain is prepared to accept
peace, provided it implies only the loss
of Cuba, but they assert that Spain
would prefer war poutrdnce if the
Insx rfr,
Rico. the Philippines, or an immense
indemnity which would be impossible
for Spain to pay.
GONE, MAYBE.
Skaters Headquarters, July II, p
M, via KINGSTON, July IL, $50 a. m
The fighting continued during the
day and at this hour it is believed that
the city of Santiago will be captured by
the American forces within twenty
four hours, The Americans advanced
steadily all day. In several Spanish
trenches our troops found only dummy
wooden guns and no Spanish soldiers
There was very weak fire from the
Spanish troops and the American
troops received further evidence of tht
great distress existing in Santiago.
PUERTO RICO DESIRES DEL1vERANcE
PRovINoETowN, Mass, July 12-
Capt. McKenna, of the British brie
Ethel, who arrived here today from
Arceibo, Puerto Rico, brings the stor,
of great destitution at San Juan an(
othe places, and of the deep interes
among the inhabitants of the island il
The progress of the war. The majorit,
of the people express sympathy will
the United States, whose efforts. the
believe, will result in bringing them re
lief from the irksome rule of Spain.
FAVORABLE VIEW.
WASHINGTON, July 12.-At Cabine
net meeting today kilograms from Ger
eraI Shafter were read and discussed
but no new plan Of campaign was con
sidered or important orders given
Shafter's report that he had the city {
Santiago completely invested was re
ceived with satisfaction, as there he
been some apprehension that the Spar
iards were contemplating night eva
uation. Secretary AIger, on leayin
the Cabinet meeting said that althoue
Skaters line on the west was thin
places, he had no doubt it was suffic
emily strong to repel any attack Il
enemy was capable of making. 1t wi
the Secretary's opinion that the Spa
fards were now completely cut off fro
outside aid, and it was only a questic
of prompt surrender or fight, whit
would result In their capture. It WI
Secretary Alger's opinion, as we'll /,
that of other members of the Cabinf
that the Spaniards would surrend