The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-11
UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER
Is santlago's Ono Hope of Is
cape.

Washington, July 9.-The great battle
expected today did not take pIaoe al
though the armistice expired at noon with
the forces on both sides of Santiago lined
up for battle. The reason was that the
Spanish commander, who had been in cor
respondence with his home government.
was seeking to make terms wi h Gen.
Shafter by which he might save MS army
from capture He was willing to give ND
Santiago without resistance If allowed to
retreat with all of his men and arms
across the island, but this idea was not
entertained for moment by our govern
ment. On the other hand every effort will
be put forth to seal up all ayenuesiof es-
cape from Santiago and to compel the
final surrender of the Spanish army. To
allow it to make it's way unmolested into
the interior would amount simply to rein
forcement of the garrison of Havana by
these thousands of trained soldiers. On
the other hand to compel their surrender
1t is believed would produce an enormous
moral effect both in Havana and in Spain
Itself and thus tend to the early concIu-
sion OF the war.
Secretary Alger and Adjutant General
Corbln were in quick communication
with General Shafter at Santiago during
the day. Both officers, however, declined
to give out any dispatches relating to the
negotiations that are going on between
Gen. Shafter and Gen. Linares or to con-
firm any of the exciting rumors that were
flying through the corridors all day.
Nevertheless 1t was evident from their
manner that crisis had been reached SO
far as Santiago was concerned and that as
matters stood at the close of the day there
was no reason to be dissatisfied with the
outlook. 1t is known that Gen. Shafter
has lost nothing by the armistice. His
men are rested, the commissary has i'm
proved, the roads have been cleared and
the artillery is now almost completely
placed in a most effective manner. None
of these things existed ut the beginning
of the armistice. On the other hand the
Spanish forces have largely diminished
their slender stock of provisions and have
steadily lost in confidence. AS soon as
they are convinced that they will be
humanely treated land the war depart
ment proposes that they will be fully pro-
tected) it is expected there will be many
assertions from the Spanish lines.
There Is the strongest disposition on the
part of the strateRists not to entertain
favorable the proposition said to be under
consideration at Madrid looking to an
armitice of 10 days in order to consider
terms of peace They believe the United
States has everything to lose and nothing
to gain by such proposition. During that
time Camara's squadron might find safe
Judgement in some strongly fortified coast
town like Ferrol and thus eIude Watson 8
pursuit. However, history shows that the
directors of successful armies always are
adverse to oeasing military operations
before unconditional oapitulation is
achieved and that it requires the strong
hand of diplomacy to bring about the
CHI ont hcfo he An
ton of peace necessary to reach common
understanding.
Admiral Sampson contributed nothing
further during the day to his first de-
spatch announcing the possibility of saw
ing the Spanish ships Colon, Maria Teresa
and Vizcaya. Telegraphio difficulties
have been encountered but 1t is not be-
lieVed there Is anything of Importance
for the admiral to chronicle today. Naval
officials feel that another change may
have to be made in the make up of the
eastern squadron which Is to strike u
blow against the Spanish coast.
The battleship Iowa suffered some hard
knocks during the recent battle with
Cervera's squadron and it may be neces-
sary to substitute one of the other battle
ships pending repairs on the Iowa. No
decision of the change has been reached
thus far. The Associated Press inter-
view with Captain Evans Of the Iowa
leads the naval officials to believe that the
Iowa will require considerable overhaul
ing before she is ready for trip across
the ocean. According to Captain Evans
story the Iowa was struck twice by Span
ish shells and one she'll exploded while
the other is embedded unexp1oded nearly
at the water line of the ship. This last
shot may prove troublesome, as an unex-
ploded she'll near the water line Is not a
desirable adjunct to battleship. From
the light manner in which Evans speaks
Of the damage 1T is not regarded as very
serious by the officials here, yet it is prob
ably enough to Keep the Iowa from &C.
companylng the eastern squadron to the
coast of Spain.
Either the Massachusetts or the Indi-
ana will be substituted for the Iowa If 1t
is found necessary to make change.
Either of them is as formidable as the
Iowa. The four large guns are of the
ID inch type while those of the Iowa are
IL inch. In other respects their batteries
are similar to the Iowa's They are COM
monty regarded as rather better seagoing
boats than the Iowa. Ihe department. has
not decided to increase the number of
Watson's ships as has been reported, as 1t
is felt that the list announced is quite
ample to take care of Admiral Camara' 8
squadron, now returning hastily to pro-
tect the coast of Spain.
Camara's only arplored ships are the
Peyalo and Carlos Y. the former of 5000.
the latter of 5000 tons. They are out
ranked at every point by the ships of the
American squadron, armor, armament
speed, size and number of guns and gem
eraI effectiveness.