The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-15

sbow,nr the surrendered zone turned
aver M the American troops. The line
begins at Ascerraderos, about htteep
miles west of Santiago harbor, and then
rms due north about twenty-five miles
Ia Paimo sorlana. Had the line con.
tInued due north It would have passed
west OF Holguin, thus taking the span
ian garrison at that point. Evidently
General Torai wished to avoid theiin-
cluslon OF HOlguin, so the line turns
abruptly to the northeast Of Palma anu
runs to the coast town OF Boca del sag
ua, on the coast. The extreme length
OF this surrendered tract is about ~
miles and the extreme width about htty
miles, tapering to less width making
in ali about 5000 square miles. u Is 9
rugged mountainous country, with Vety ,IS
few towns OF any size. Santiago with
Its fine harbor is the main point, while
Guantanamo Is second in Importance.
Character Of the Country.
Sir. II. j. Allen, OF Kansas City, who
had just come from Santiago, was with
Secretary Alger during the afternoon,
and gave him some interesting details
as 10 the character OF the country now
surrendered to our troops. He said the
country was so wild and rocky that i
aflorded practically no camping ground
for a considerable number OF troops,and
in his opinion there was not point IN
this sweep OF country suitable as base
of operations for nm army, Except tho
spanish force at Santiago numbering
about 10000 men, Mr. Allen says there
are no Spanish troops within the SUR
rendered zone, ns It has been overrun
by Garcla's forces. The Spanish garri-
sons are at AInnzanillo and Holguin. to
the west of the surrendered zone. Mr.
Allen says these Spanish garrisons DO
not exceed 5000 men, This, he SAYS, IS
General GarcIa's estimate. Mt Allen
left. Santiago only last Saturday AT
that time he says there were two sus-
plclous cases thought to be yellow teVer
in the hospital at siboney.
The navy department had not heard
IN TO close OF office hours to what ex-
tent the American fleet was participate
ing In the Spanish surrender.
Way clear for Sampson.
with Santiago in our hands, the way
will be clear for Admiral Simpsons
feet to enter the harbor and proceed up
20 the wharves MS soon as the torpedoes
and mines at the harbor and entrance
are removed, The Qualifications Of Nor
ro Castle, socupa, Cayo Smith and 9TH
ers are Included in the surrendered
zone The possession Of these fine for
tresses, particularly Morro castle. will
aIoFd valuable garrison points for a
large number OF men.
Great attention will now be given to
the care OF our sick and fever stricken
soldiers on the Island. Secretary Alger
is anxious to bring the entire army
back as soon as It can be done with
safety to the men themselves and
without Jeopardy TO the other troops In
Florida, and to the general public. The
| active preparations made TO deal with
the emergency are such that It is felt
| the question of disease can be coped
with successfully, now that the military
! situation has been slmplIhed.
In the matter Of transports, the de-
partment is fully prepared for the next
move. The plan OF the war department
| for returning the surrendered army OF
General Toral to Spain will not neces-
state the use OF American vessels. II
is the purpose OF the department to ask
for proposals from all steamship COM
panies which desire TO compete for
| transporting the Spanish troops to
Spain and the most advantageous bid
viii be accepted. The adVices Of Cen
eral Shafter state that the number OF
Spanish prisoners will be between 1000
nnd 16 mn