The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-10

Washington, July 9.-The great bat
tie expected today did not take place,
although the armistice expired at noon,
with the forces on both sides at San
tiago lined up for battle. The reason
was that the Spanish commander, who
had been in correspondence by tele-
graph with his home government, was
seeking to make terms with General
Shafter by which he might save his
army from capture. He was willing
TO give up Santiago without resistance
If allowed to retreat with all of his
men and arms across the island, but
this idea was not entertained for a
moment by our government.
A cablegram was received from Gen
eral Shafter at the war department
tonight which is understood to make
certain recommendations as to the
action of the Spanish proposals for con-
ditional capitulation. Immediately af-
ter its receipt, Secretary Alger, Secre-
tary Long and Adjutant General Cor
bin went TO the White House and held
a conference with the president
Secretary Alger said there had been
no reports of firing nor of action.
But" he said, there has been some
talk of surrender. A proposition has
been made which will not be conSid-
cred, and things, I think, will go on
about as they were intended"
DO you mean by that" he was
asked, that the bombardment will be
made at once?"
Il cannot say definitely, but that is
very probable" he replied.
Every effort will be put forth to seal
up all avenues of escape from Santi-
ago and to compel the final surrender
of the Spanish army. To have al
lowed them to make their way I'M
molested into the interior would have
amounted simply to reinforcements of
the garrison of Havana by these thou
sands of trained soldiers who had
proven their courage as worthy foe
men in the fighting in the trenches.
On the other hand, to compel their sur
render, it is believed, would certainly
produce an enormous moral effect,
both in Havana and in Spain itself,
and thus tend to the early conclusion
Of the war.
A CRISIS REACHED.
Secretary Alger and Adjutant Cen
eral Corbin were in quick communica-
ton with General Shafter at Santiago
during the day. These officials, how
ever. decline positively to give out for
publication any dispatches relating to
the negotiations that are going on be-
tween General Shafter and General
LinareS, or to confirm any of the eX-
citing rumOrs that were flying through
the corridors all day. Nevertheless, it
was evident from their manner that a
crisis had been reached, so far as San
tiago was concerned, and that as mat
tiers stood at the close of the day,
there was no reason to be dissatisfied
with the outlook, as it is known that
General Shafter has lost nothing by
the armistice. His men are rested. the
ho d.
have been cleared, and his artillery is
now almost completely placed in a
most effective manner. None of those
things existed at the beginning of the
armistice. On the other hand the
Spanish forces have largely dimin-
1shed their slender stock of provisions,
and have steadily lost in confidence.
As soon as they are convinced that
they will be humanely treated and fed
and Will not be subjected to inhumane
treatment (and the war department
proposes that they shall be thus pro-
tected) it is expected there will be
many desertions from the Spanish
lines.
WILL CUT OFF RETREAT.
One Of the most important results
expected to follow SIMPSONS appear
arce in the harbor is the cutting off of
the retreat Of the Spaniards TO the in
terror of Cuba. Our troops now con-
troll the approaches to the town from
the south to the northeast, and can
easily close the semi-circie to the
north. In the rear. to the west. how
ever. there are high and ragged hills,
across which the Spaniards might re-
tleat towards ManZanillo. If Samp-
sens vessels enter the harbor and aD-
preach the town closely, it is believed
that their guns will control the line of
retreat fhaCn hills eff
that were the Spaniards to attempt the
passage they would go to certain de-
struction.
A cablegram was received from Cen
aral Shafter today, which indicates that
bostilities were near, but had not act
uSlly opened up. and might be deferred
DE said that six batteries of artillery
cad been unloaded and gotten to the
mont today, and that only one of the
lighters sent TO General Shafter had /
reached its destination. General Shat |
ter's dispatch said the lighters were !
needed to unload provisions for the |
troops.
ABUNDANCE OF FOOD.
In view of the published allegations |
that the troops were on short rations, /
General Shafter was wired as to the 1
proof of the assertion. He answered (
that one day only the troops were on |
half rations. and on that day the only |
troops who suffered were a few at the |
furthest point from the supply The !
general says there was considerable .
on account of the lack of to-
bacco, but added that there was suf-
fcient food. tobacco and other neces-
sary supplies on the ships to last at
least two months and they will be
brought ashore at the earliest possible
moment. Everything he reported to be
in most satisfactory condition. and
expected fighting might be resumed
this afternoon or evening.
GOVERNOR OF SANTIAGO.
The statement from the field to the
effect that the Cubans under Garcia
have undertaken to designate a gov
ernor for Santiago after it falls. has
attracted a good deal of attention here