The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-13
TRUCE STILL ON.
Confidence in the Speedy Fall Of
,......-.. Santiago. ..--.,., ,4.,
THE REMOVAL OF THE MINES.

Disposition by the Danish Authorities
to Prevent Our Government From
Using Coal stored at st. Thomas as
a Breach of Neutrality.
Washington, July 13.-The Impression
prevailed in official circles at the close
Of public business yesterday that the
fag of truce was still flying and that
negotiations continued looking to a sur
render. The be sis for these negotiations
naturally could not be very broad in
view of the injunction the president
laid upon General Shafter to accept
nothing less than unconditional sur
render but it is supposed that time may
be consumed through the indulgence or
General Shafter in allowing the Span
ish commander to communicate by
cable with Captain General Blanco in
the effort TO obtain his assent to the
surrender. General Toral undoubtedly
has before his eyes the vindicative
abuse heaped upon the unfortunate
Naval Commander Cervera for sur
rendering at ALL so that he probably
will be bound by the direction of Blanco
III his own case.
1t is not generally known that in re-
sponse to the manly and pathetic re-
port by cable to Blanco announcing the
loss Of his squadron, Cervera received
a most harsh and unsympathetic replc
but such is the case B,ancos purpose
In this may have been to dissolve other
Spanish commanders, military and ma
val from surrendering under any con-
ditlons. and in the case of Toral, 1t ap-
pears that he has made strong I'M
preston. Nevertheless confidence wakes
in the speedy fall of Santiago, though
many officers fear that the nest will
be found empty and the birds flown
when the American troops make their
ently into the town. Still, should this
be the case. it may be fairly claimed
that the prime object of the movement
on Santiago, namely. the destruction of
the Spanish squadron having been
achieved the campaign as whole has
been successful.
General Miles report indicated that
he had found unexDected physical diff
fiCullies to contend with and he Is ap-
parcntly greatly pleased with the pro-
gress made by the army under the con-
ditons prevailing. He has not assumed
command, as is evidenced by his mes
sag.
Miles report was as follows: "Arriv-
I'd at noon. Had consultation with Ad-
miral Sampson and with General Shat
ter by telephone. Troops brought from
Tampa. Charleston and New York al
rived and leaving for the front. Line
of investment being extended. Miles"
The most important result of the
cabinet deliberations was the order to
remove the mines which guard all the
coast ports. Many military men were
opposed to yielding to the pressure Of
the commercial interests and some of
them are predicting that not few Of
the communities which have been 50
earnest in their demand for the re-
moval Of the mines will be frantically
clamoring for protection at the very
first rumor of the presence of a hostile
gunboat or cruiser off their coast.
Before the war begun our govern
ment accumulated stock of coal at
st. Thomas, West Indies. Most of it
was ashore. but 1000 tons were on q
schooner lying in the harbor. Twice
since war broke out the United States
has availed of this coal, once to sup
ply the Minneapolis and once the Mont
Eoma1y, but as each was bound for the
nearest home port and took only
enough coal to carry them there it was
fairly assumed there had been no
breach of neutrality. However. it ap-
pears that there is now disposition
exhibited by the Danish authorities to
prevent the United States SbipS from
using this coal. and as there is no ques-
ton of their right to lay down such
rule the coal itself probably will be let
alone. Fortunately there is no particu-
lar need for It. as there are other means
Of coaling a feet now In use. The in
cident Is one which will be used as a
strong argument for the establishment
of coaling stations in various parts of
the globe for the benefit of the United
States navy.
Although the statement has been re-
pcated day after day that no overtures
have hcen made to our government for
peace it may bear repetition once more
in view of the express denial given at
the state department to so much of the
stories emanating from European
sources as seek TO create the impression
that the Uuited States government or
any Of It's representatives so far has
made any move in this direction. The
fact is today as it has been: The first
Overtures in the direction Of peace
must come from Spain, directly or in
directly.
Remarkable Fatality.