The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-10

at Hand.
WASHINGTON. July 9. - The 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 correspond
ence with his own government, by tel
egraph, was seeking to make terms
with Gen. Shafter, by which he might
save his army from capture.
He was willing to give up Santiago
without resistance If allowed to re-
treat with all his men and arms across
the island, but this idea was not en-
tertalned for moment by our gov
ernment. On the contrary, every move
ment Will be put forth to seal up ev-
cry avenue Of escape from Santiago,
and to compel the ultimate surrender
OF the Spanish army. To have allowed
them to make their way unmolested
would have amounted simply to REIN
forcement Of the garrison Of Havana
by these thousands Of trained soldiers.
who had proven their courage as wor-
thy roemen In the fighting in the
trenches. On the other hand, to COM
pei their surrender, it Is believed. would
certainly produce an enormous moral
erect both In Havana and in Spain
itself. and thus forward peace.
CRISIS REACHED.
Secretary Alger and Adjt. Gen. Cor
bin were in quick communication with
Cen Shafter at Santiago during the
Gay. Both officials, however, declined
positively to give out for publication
any dispatches relating to the nego-
t1at1ons that are going on between
Gen. Shafter and Gen, Linares. or to
confirm any of the exciting rumors
that were 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 ont
look. 1t Is known that Gen. Shafter
has lost nothing by the armistice-his
men are rested, the commissarv has
improved, the roads have been cleared
ana MS artillery is now almost COM
pietely placed in most effective man
ner None Of these things existed at
the beginning Of the armistice. On the
other hand, the Spanish forces have
largely diminished their slender stock
or provisions and have steadily lost in
confidence. AS soon as they are con-
vinced that they will be fed, and will
not be subjected to inhuman treatment
and the war department proposes that
they shall be thus protected-it is ex-
pected there will be many desertions
from the Spanish lines.
ARMISTICE OPPOSED.
There Is the strongest indisposition
on the part of the strategists to en-
tertain 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
believe that the United States has ey
erything to lose and nothing to gain
by accepting such proposition. Dur.
ing that time Camara's squadron
might find safe lodgment in some
strongly fortified coast town like Fer
rol, and thus elude Watson's pursuit.
However, history shows that the di-
rectors of successful armies are ayerse
to ceasing military operations until
unconditional capitulation is achiey
ed, and that 1t requires the strong
hand of diplomacy to bring about the
short pause before the final consum-
nation of peace necessary to reach a
common understanding.
Admiral Sampson contributed moth
ing further during the day to his first
dispatch announcing the possibility of
raising the Spanish ships Colon. Marie
Teresa and Vizcaya. Telegraphic DIFF
ficulties have been encountered, but It
Is not believed there has been any-
thing Of Importance for the admiral
to chronicle.
wATSON's SQUADRON.
Naval authorities believe that an
other change will have to be made in
the makeup of the Eastern squadron
which was to strike a blow at the
Spanish coast, as the battleship lowe
suffered some hard knocks during the
recent naval battle with Cervera s
squadron, and it may be necessary to
substitute one Of the other battle
ships, pending repairs on the Iowa. Nc
decision on the subject has been reach
ed thus far, as the department has
not received the report showing the
exact condition Of our ships after the
battle. In the meantime the Associat-
ed Press interview with Capt. Robley
Evans, Of the Iowa. leads the naval