The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-16


front At General Wheeler's headquarters,
General Shafter General Miles, Colonel
Maus and an interpreter left their retinue
and passed on over our trenches, with
flag of truce, to the mango tree, under
which the interview was held yesterday.
They were soon joined by General Toral,
his chief of staff and the two other COM
missioners appointed by him.
General Miles took no part in the llegotia-
tions. He has been careful, since his arrival
here, not to assume the direction of affairs.
or to detract in the least from the glory of
General Skaters achievements. General
Shafter insisted at the outset that the COM
missioners to be appointed should have
paramount authority to make and conclude
the terms of surrender in accordance with
our demands. After parleying General
Toral acceded to this, explaining that since
his last communication he had received di-
rect authority from Captain General Blanco
to do So This being the main point, the
interview was soon concluded. Before part
ing General Shafter complimented General
Toral highly on the skill and gallantry of.
his resistance.
Upon the return to General Wheeler's
headquarters the news of our complete vic
tory was communicated to General Lawton
commanders. a sceene of general rejoicing
followed. General Shafter held a regular
levee before he dismounted and was con-
graduated and complimented by ALL He i'm
mediately appointed General Wheeler, Cen
eral Lawton and Captain Miley to be COM
missioners on his behalf to treat with those
appointed by General ToraI. He then issued
orders to permit our troops to retire from
the trenches, but absolutely forbididng any
one, soldier or civilian, from going into the
Spanish lines.
The refugees are to be permitted to re-
turn to their homes, but neither our troops
nor the Cuban auxiliaries are to be per-
mitted to enter the city at present. The or
der as to the Cubans is very specific. They
have shown a disposition to loot everything
and any place. But they are not to have
the privilege of glutting their appetites for
plunder in Santiago. A guard is to be main
tanned about the city and the camps of our
soldiers are to be removed to the front or to
the rear of our lines. as individual cases
render most practicable. The change of
camp sites will undoubtedly improve the
health of the troops.
The whole purpose of the American COM
mander now is to protect the health of the
army, especially from the dreaded conta-
gion 1t is claimed there is no fever in San
tiago, but the city is full of filth and stencil,
and II our men are allowed to go in, it will
undoubtedly become pest hole.
SOLDIERS REJOICE.
The boys in the trenches were ignorant
OF the outcome of the negotiations until a
heavy luncheon Of coffee, hardtack and
corned beef were served. Then General
Shafter appointed Colonel Astor and Can
tain McKittrick to convey the welcome It'd
ings along the lines. Some of the officers
Favored celebrating the victory with bands
ana noisy demonstration, but General
Smarter vetoed the proposition. He said
there was no occasion to humiliate the
enemy, who had fought bravely. Not even
cheering was to be permitted, but before
colonel Astor and Captain McKittrck could
warn the soldiers the latter broke out into
wlId hurrahs. Some danced about, threw
their hats into the air, hugged each other
ana congratulated themselves on the pros
pect OF getting out of Cuba in few DAYS.
General Shafter instructed the commits
sioners that the inside harbor entrance be
Immediately opened to allow Clara Barton.
OF the Red Cross Society, and the supply
ships to enter, and that the railroad from
Siooney be opened for similar purpose. We
are to supply the Spanish prisoners with
food pending their concentration and en-
oarkatlon. General Toral requested this.
saying that there was very little food.
1t is probable the Spanish steamers in the
haroor will be used in part for the trans
portation Of the surrendered soldiers to
Spain.
The Spanish troops abandoned the in
trenchments early this afternoon and went
into the city,
Our commissioners. accompanied by an
interpreter, entered the Spanish lines short
ly after o'clock, and had not returned
when the correspondent left with this dis
patch
General Miles and his staff arrived at ST.
ooney from the front this evening and went
aboard the Concha. On the wharf General
Miles said: Santiago has surrendered on
our terms, after vainly trying for a long
time to get better ones. The result is high
ly gratifying. The Spanish prisoners will
be transported to Spain by u.s. The surren-
der carries with it not only the city of San
tiago but the entire Santiago military dis
trlct being the eastern portion of Cuba
west to line drawn from Acerraderos on
the south coast to Sagua on the north coast.
Manzanillo and Holguin are not included.
The possession of the surrendered district
will be yielded at once and a commission of
six, three from each side. will meet this
afternoon to arrange details The troops
will be left where they are for time, un-
less they are needed for service elsewhere
do not wish to say which point will be at
tackled next I may come ashore again, but
hardly think So.''