The Indianapolis journal., 1898-07-15
Consultation Later at Wheeler's
Headquarters-Heavy Fall of Rain
The Sanitary Conditions.

Santiago, tells of the conferences between
the American generals and the Spanish
commander: White flags still flutter over
the opposing lines The truce has been ex-
tended until tomorrow (Thursday) noon,
and negotiations looking to the surrender
OF Santiago are proceeding. Both sides
nave yielded somewhat General Toral, the
Spanish commander, realizes the hopeless
ness Of further resistance, and the Amer
lean commander, General Shafter, is in
clined to reduce the harshness of the terms
which he at first proposed to impose on the
enemy.
1t appears that on Monday General Shaf-
ter did not again demand the unconditional
surrender which General Toral had refused
on Sunday. but offered, as an alternative
proposition, to accept the capitula ton of
the enemy, and to transport the Spanish
officers and troops to Spain, they to leave
all their arms behind, and to accept their
parole. 1t was this proposition that Gen.
Toral declined Wednesday.
This Thursday morning it was decided
to hold a personal interview with General
Toral. General Miles and his staff, who got
no further than General Skaters head-
quarters last night, accompanied by Gen.
Shafter and his staff, rode out to the front
"
truce. A request for personal interview
with the Spanish commander-in-chief was
made and acceded to- and about o'clock
General Miles. General Shafter, General
Wheeler, General Gilmour Colonel Morse,
Captain Wiley and Colonel Maus rode up,
passed over our intrenchments and went
down into the valley beyond. They were
met by General To1al and his chief of staff
under spreading mango tree at the bottom
of the valley, about half way between the
lines. The interview that followed lasted
an hour.
THE OFFER TO TORAL
The situation was placed frankly before
General Toral, and he was offered the alter
native of being sent home with his garrison
or leaving Santiago province, the only con-
dition imposed being that he should not de-
stroy the existing Notifications, and should
leave his arms behind. This latter condi-
ton the Spanish general, who does not
speak English, explained through his inter-
prefer, was impossible. He said the laws of
Spain gave general no discretion. He
might abandon place when he found it
tenable, but he could not leave his arms
behind without subjecting himself to the
penalty of being court-martialed and shot
His government, he said, had granted him
permission to evacuate Santiago. That was
all. Further than that he was powerless
to go.
Without saying so in words, General Miles
said the tenor of General Toral's words all
betrayed his realization that he could not
hold out long.
When General Shafter explained that our
reinforcements were coming up, that he
was completely surrounded and that new
batteries were being posted, General Toral
simply shrugged his shoulders.
Il am but a subordinate" said he, land
obey my government. If it is necessary we
can die at our posts"
General Toral is man of sixty years of
age, with a strong rugged face and fine, SOL
dierly bearing. His brave words inspired a
feeling of respect and admiration in the
hearts of his adversaries. Nevertheless, the
Spanish generals anxiety to avert further
sacrifice of life in his command was mani
fest, and he did not hesitate to ask for time
to communicate the situation to Madrid, al
though he obviously shook his head when he
spoke of the probable response.
In the course of an interview General
Toral saiG the bombardment of Sunday
and Monday had done little damage He
admitted that shells from guns of the fleet
had destroyed four houses, but he asserted
that only half a dozen soldiers of the gar
rison had been injured. He also volunteered
the information, when General Miles gal
lantly inquired after General Linares's con-
dition. that the latter would probably have
to undergo the amputation of his left arm
at the shoulder
General Miles, at the interview, did not
attempt to assume the direction of the nego-
Tot hut I.lf Tyroifo
army he vouched for the conditions General
Shafter offered.
WARRIORS IN CONFERENCE
Upon the return of our commanders to the
American lines an important consultation
was held at General Wheeler's headquar-
ters. Generals Garcia and Castillo. with
their stats, had ridden around from the ex-
treme right TO see General Miles. 1t was
a notable group, gathered under the pro-
tecting awning of General Wheeler's tent
General Miles, in blue fatigue uniform
with the double stars on his shoulder and
his military hat encircled with gold band
looking the ideal soldier. sat on an empty
ammunition box and formed the center of
the party.
On the right of General Miles sat General
Shafter and on his left was General Garcia
in mud spotted white uniform with heavy
riding boots and jingling spurs. The Cuban
general wore Panama hat and at his side
was a silver mounted machete. General
Garcia has strong, swarthy face with a
deep bullet scar in his forehead. In a gen
eral way he is not unlike d Cuban edition of
General Miles. General Wheeler, with griz-
Zled beard, small of stature. and in a brown
campaign uniform, faced the three officers
mentioned. while about them sat the aids
de-camp of the four generals. Assistant
Naval Constructor Hobson, the hero OF the
Merrimac, who had come to headquarters
with messages from Rear Admiral Sampson.
was also present.
The situation discussed with the aid
of profusion of maps, and at the concu-
sion of the conference, luncheon was served.
1t consisted of beans, hard tack and coffee.
After this meal General Miles, General
Shafter and General Garcia. with their
staffs. rode Off to inspect the position on
the right flank. They all agreed that Gen.
Toral was securely wedged in and that es-
cape was impossible, but owing to delays
and she possibly incidental loss of life.
which was certain ~ result from an at
tempt to carry the town by assault the
danger TO our troops from fever and disease,
and, above all. the fact that the Spanish
fleet was destroyed. which has been the
real object OF the campaign. 1t scanned to