The age-herald., 1898-07-11
Gen. ToraI Sends a Message to
 Shafter on the Subject.
THE CONDITIONS ATTACHED
Caused Prompt Refusal of the Spanish Com- mander's Proposal by Gen. Shafter- Nothing But Unconditional Suren
 der Will Be Considered.
Copyright by the Associated Press


 On Board the Associated Press Despatch Boat Wanda, Off Juragua, Saturday July 9.-7 D. m.-Yia Port Antonio, Sunday July 10, m., and Kingston. July 10, 1O:40 a.. m.-The surrender of Santiago was for- mally offered by the Spanish commander. General Toral today, but the conditions attached caused a prompt refusal of the offer by General Shafter. The negotia- tions, however, resulted in the extension of the armistice until noon Sunday, and white flags of truce still float over the op- posing armies. General Torars proposal contemplated the immediate surrender of the city, but he insisted that his army be permitted to march away under arms and with flying colors and declared that he would fight to the last ditch unless the conditions were accepted.
 General Shafter replied that nothing but unconditional surrender would be consid- cred by him, but he consented to cable the Spanish offer to Washington, in the meantime extending the armstice.
 Under Flag of Truce
 It was shortly before noon today when little group of Spanish officers, under a flag of truce, came out from under the yellow wall of the besieged city and slowly made it's way toward the American line. A detail were sent to meet them and they were escorted to comfortable quarters, while the letter from General Toral was carried to General Shafters tent, two miles from the front. The letter was couched in the jelly courteous terms char acteristic of such communications and was brief as possible. It bore the sigma ture of General Toral who commands at Santiago since General Linares was wound- ed and stated that he was prepared to surrender the city provided his army would be permitted to surrender with honor." This he stated meant that the Spanish force should be unmolested and go In any direction they wished, carrying arms and flying their colors.
 The letter concluded with the bold state- ment that surrender on any other terms was an impossibility, and would not be con- sidered.
 General Shafter immediately cabled the facts to Washington and sent to General Toral refusal of his proposal, but added that he would communicate with his gov ernment and would extend the informal armistiee until Sunday at noon. It is deemed probale that the truce may ex-
 
 offer to surrender in any terms is regarded as an indication that the Spanish com mander has decided upon surrender upon the best terms obtainable.
 Poor Supply of Water
 The general condition of health of the American troops is excellent but the wa. ter supply is poor and a number of cases of malarial fever have developed No deaths have resulted, however and i Il nearly all instances the fever has been broken up by liberal use of quinine The campaign and the fears of possible attacks of fever has rid the army in the field of non-combatants with the exception of a few newspaper correspondents who have been on the ground since the warships ar- rived at Santiago and will report the pro- gress of the war with the assistance of the despatch boats.
 The second fleet of transports arrived off Juragua this morning, bearing 2OO0 troops. including a large detachment of artillery. If the peace negotiations fail these heavy guns will be most valuable addition to the artillery now in the field. The new troops will be landed as soon as possible The Americans have strongly entrenched themselves, and the artillery now at the front has been placed in strong positions behind earthworks, and will be able to cover the advance of the troops much more effectively than during the previous en- gagement.
 The feeling is strong among officers and men that Santiago will surrender without further fighting.
 The wounded in the hospitals are being well cared for, and in almost every in- stance are recovering rapidly.