The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-19
Copyright by Associated Press.)

July IA. 2 D. m.-GeneraI Toral, COM
manding the Spanish forces in Santi-
ago de Cuba, this morning sent a
communication to General Shafter, in
dicating his Willingness to accept the
terms Of surrender proposed yesterday
and asking the American commander
to appoint commissioners to meet the
Spanish commissioner to arrange to
send the Spanish troops back to Spain.
This will be promptly done.
The surrender of General ToraI not
only means the fall Of Santiago, but
by the terms Of surrender the whole
eastern end Of the island falls into the
hands Of the United States without a
shot being fired.
The surrender is to include all the
Spanish troops at Santiago, Guantan-
amo, Caimanera and Sague, compos-
ing the Fourth corps of the Spanish
army.
Washington, July 1.-THE val de-
partment has received the following
dispatch from General Miles, written
apparently before the final surrender
Of Santiago at 3 o'clock:
playa, July IA, 1898.
Secretary Of War. Washington, D. c.:
''Toral formally surrendered the
troops of his army-trOOps and diVi-
sion of Santiago, on the terms and
understanding that his troops shall be
returned to Spain. General Shafter
will appoint commissioners to draw up
the conditions of arrangements for
carrying out the terms Of surrender.
This is very gratifying, and General
Shafter and the officers and men of
this command are entitled to great
credit for their sincerity and fOrtitude
in overcoming the almost insuperable
obstacles which they encountered.
"A portion of the army has been in
fected with yellow fever and efforts
will be made to separate those who
are infected and those free from it,
and to keep those who are still on
board ship separated from those on
shore. Arrangements will Immediate
ly be made for carrying out further
instructions of the president and your
self. NELSON A. MILES,
Major General of the Army
The adjutant general received the
following from Playa this afternoon:
'Adjutant General, Washington, DC:
Have just returned from interview
with General TOral. He agrees to sur
render upon the basis of being return
ed to Spain. This proposition embraces
all Oh eastern Cud, IIOlIl ASoc ducI -
on the south to Sugua on the north,
via Palma, with practically the Fourth
army corps. commissioners meet this
afternoon at 2:30 o'clock to definitely
arrange the terms.
wv. r. SHAFTER,
Major General Commanding"
THE FIRST CHAPTER CLOSED.
The first chapter in the land cam
paign of the United States and Spain
closed today when the Spanish colors
ave place over Santiago to the Amer
lean flag. Next will follow the trans
portatiOn of the Spanish troops back
to their native land, and the capture
of the island of Porto Rico, unless
peace soon intervenes.
The siege of Santiago had lasted two
weeks and was remarkable in man
respects and in none more than the
heavy percentage of loss through
death. wounds or ickness of the sol
diers and sailors engaged on both
sides. Looking back over the record OF
these two weeks it is seen that a great
irOn-clad squadron has been Destroy
ed. that nearly 1000 Spanish soldiers
have died in the trenches of Santa
go. On the other hand about ESQ
American soldiers nave been killed
and in round numbers 1000 more have
been sent to the hospitals from
wounds, levers and other ailments.
Our fleet had a remarkable exemp-
ton from disaster in the many en-
gagements it had with the forts at
the entrance of the harbor and with
the Spanish squadron.
PORTO RICO NEXT"
Next is Porto Rico" said Secretary
Alger. after receiving the news OF
Santiago's formal surrender. land
then, if need be. Havana" The secre.
An~xr r-nn IN -..A
been more anxious than he dared
show as to the condition of our sick
soldiers and looked with apprehension
upon the possibility of a ~prolongatior
of the struggle in the unhealthy val
ley of Santiago.
FRESH TROOPS FOR PORTO RICO
The secretary said that the Porte
Rican expedition would go forward
Immediately. 1t will comprise new mel
entirely. The warriors in the trenche:
before Santiago have distinguished
themselves and it is not deemed pru
dent to bring them in unnecessary cor
tact with new troops, in view Of TIL
danger Of spreading c%ortagion. TIL
sick soldiers will be nursed back tC
health and brought to the United
States as soon as they can be safely
removed. Immune regiments will b.
ordered to Santiago to garrison TIL,
town and, az stated IN these dis2atche
yesterday, two of these regiments ar,
already under orders to proceed.
The Porto Rican expedition will b
commanded by General Miles in per
son, though General Brooke. now il
command at Camp Thomas, is expect
ed to be his main dependence. At Sal
Juan the navy will be of greater as
sistance than it was at Santiago
owing to the possibility of approach
ing he town more closely withou
risking contact with mines. Genera
Brooke is now on his way to Wash
ington, by direction of Secretary Al
ger, so that he will be- in a position
to make his views known to the de
partment. The experience gained il
dispatching Skaters expedition, it /
expected, will aid the officials in thei
determination to make short work o