The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-13

prevailed in official circles when pub
lie Offices closed for the day that the
flag of truce set in the Spanish lines at
Santiago at 2 o'clock yesterday after
poon was still flying, and that negotla-
tions continued. looking to a surrender.
The basis for these negotiations natur-
ally could not be very broad. In view
of the injunction the president laid upon
General Shafter to accept nothing less
than unconditional surrender. but it is
supposed that time may be consumed
through the indulgence of General Shaf-
ter in allowing the Spanish commander
to communicate by cable with Captain
General Blanco in the effort to obtain
his assent to the surrender. General To-
raj undoubtedly has before his eyes the
vindictive abuse heaped upon the un-
fortunate naval commander. Cervera.
for surrenderlng at all. so that he prob
ably will be bound by the direction of
Blanco in his case.
1t is not generally known that in
response TO the manly and pathetic re-
port by cable to Blanco announcing the
loss of his squadron. Cervera received a
but such is the case. Blanco's purpose
in this may have been TO dissuade other
commanders, military and naval. from
surrendering under any conditions, and
in the case OF Toral IL appears that he
has made a strong impression.
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 entrance
into the town. Still, should this be the
case, IL may be fairly claimed that the
prime object of the movement on San
tiago. namely. the destruction of the
Spanish squadron, has been achieved.
and the campaign as n whole been sue
cessful. General Miles report to-day
indicated that he found unexpected ply
sical difficulties to contend with, and he
is apparently pleased with the progress
made Ly the army under the conditions
prevailing. He has not assumed COM
mand. as II shown by his message.
The most important result of the cab
met deliberations to-day 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 int rests. and some of
them are predicting that rot a few of
the communities which have been so
earnest in their demand for the removal
OF the mines will be frantically clamor-
ing for protection at the very first ru-
NOR OF the presence of 6 hostile gun
boat or cruiser OFF their coast
Before the war began our govern
ment accumulated stock of coal at
st. Thomas, West Indies. Most of II was
ashore, but a thousand tons were on a
schooner lying off in the harbor. Twice
since the war broke out the United
States has availed Of this coal, once to
-. ANa Ill Il.
Montgomery, but as each was bound
for the nearest home port and took only
enough coal to carry her there. IL was
fairly assumed that there had been no
breach of neutrality. However. IL ap-
pears that there is now disposition ex-
hibited by the Danish authorities to pre-
vent the United States ships from using
this coal, and as there is no question
of their right to lay down such a rule,
Fortunately there Is no particular need
OF IL. as there are other means OF coal
ing a fleet now in use. The incident Is
one which will be used as a strong ar
gument for the establishment of coal
ing stations in various parts of the globe
for the benefit OF the United States
navy.
The order Of removal. IL is said. Is TO
apply to localities where the interests
of commerce demand the same. In
cases where IL is safe an effort will be
made to remove the mines instead of
exploding them: wherever there Is any
doubt they will be exploded.
The action of the sea in some in
stances caused the dynamite in the iron
ellipsoidal vessels to ooZe out through
the screw threads where the plug is in
serted and unless the best care is TAX
en-. the removal of the plug may cause
an explosion. II will be some days be-
fore the actual operation of removing or
exploding the mines can be put in oper-
alton. and the question as TO whether
the interests OF commerce demand IL
viii be left to the discretion of engi-
neer officers having Jurisdiction over
the various districts OF the United
States.
orders for carrying into effect the di-
rection of the cabinet will be sent to
them Immediately. Great care will be
exercised by these officers to avoid any
accident. While the mines proper are
to be removed. the incidental attach
ments necessary to their installation
and operation will be retained, such as
the easements. anchors. the cable con-
nections and the switch boxes. so that
IL II is found necessary to replace the
mines. IL may be done on the shortest
notice.
Although the statement has been re-
peated day after day that no overtures
have yet been made to our government
for peace, IL may bear repetition once
more, in view Of the express denial
given at the state department to such
OF the stories emanating from European
sources as seek to create the impression
that the United States government or
any OF its representatives so far had
made any move in this direction. The
fact is to-day as IL has been. The first
4 in ha AfraGffnn Of
come from Spain directly or indirectly.