The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-07-12
downright, 1898. by Associated Press)

downright, 1898. by Associated Press)
Oft Juragua, July 12.-The surrender
of Santiago was formally offered by
the Spanish commander, Gen. Toral.
Saturday. but the conditions caused
prompt refusal of the offer by Gen.
Sbafter. The negotiations however.
resulted in the extension of the armis-
tice until noon Sunday and white flags
of truce tlOated over the opposing
armies. Gen. ToraPs proposal contem-
plated the, immediate surrender of the
city, but he insisted that his army
be permitted to march under arms and
fying cOlorS, and declaring he would
ghfit to the last ditch unless the con
ditions were accepted. Gen. Shafter
replied that nothing but unconditional
surrender would be accepted by him,
but he consented to cable Washington,
in the meantime extending the armis-
tice 1t was shortly before noon yes
terday when a little group of officers
under a flag of truce came out from
under the yellow wall of the be
sieged city and slowly made it's way
toward the American line A detail
was
Sent to Meet Them
and they were escorted to comfortable
quarters, while the letter from Gen.
Toral was carried to Gen. Skaters
tent, two miles from the front. The
letter was couched in the Jelly courte-
Gus tones characteristic of such COM
munications, and was as brief us pos
sible. 1t bore the signature of Gen.
Toral who commands at Santiago
since Gen. Linares was wounded, and
stated that he was prepared to surren-
der the city provided his army would
be permitted to capitulate with
hnnOr." This, he explained, meant
that the Spanish forces should be I'M
mOlGSted and go in any direction they
wished with arms and flying cOl0rs.
The letter concluded with the bold
statement that surrender under any
other terms was an impossibility and
would not be considered. Gen. Shat
ter Immediately cabled the facts to
Washington and sent to Gen. TOral a
refusal of his proposal, but added that
he would communicate with his gov
eminent and would extend the in
formal armistice until Sunday noon.
1t is deemed probable that the truce
will be extended beyond that time,
and the proposal of Gen Toral on any
terms has been taken as an indication
that Gen. T0ral has
Decided to Surrender
upon the best terms obtainable. The
health of the American troops is very
good. but the water supply is poor and
numerous cases of malaria are report
ed. no deaths having resulted, how
ever, and in nearly all cases the fever
has been broken up by liberal use
Of quinine. The second fleet of trans
ports arrived off Juragua, bearing
$500 troops, including a large detach-
nent of artillery. The days of tenn
porary peace are being utilized by both
armies in strengthening their detences
The Americans have strongly ell
trenched themselves and the artillery
now at the front has been placed IN q
strong position behind earthworks ana
will be able to cover the advance OF
the troops much more effectively than
during the previous engagement. Inc
feeling is strong among the officers
and men that Santiago will surrender
without further lighting. The wound
ed in the hospitals are being wen
cared for, and in almost every III
stance are recovering rapidly.