The Topeka state journal., 1898-07-16
HOW THEY SURRENDERED.
Came in the Nick of Time to Prevent
Renewed HostiIities.


Santiago de Cuba. July IA. via King
stOn. Jamaica, July 16.-Previous to the
announcement of the surrender of San
tiago all arrangements were complete
for a renewal of the attack on the
city.
The Spanish batteries opposite Moro
castle were to be bOmbarded and
stormed, their guns were then to be
turned upon the city and Gen. LawtOn's
division ,at the same time was to fall
on the enemy's left flank under the
cover of our artillery fire. We could
then have enfiladed their lines and
have driven them into the city.
General TOral must have realized that
he was trapped and that to hold out
longer must mean a useless sacrifice of
his men; but he made one last effort to
gain more time. While nominally yield
ing to the terms General Shafter pro-
posed, he sent a communication to Gen.
Shafter enclosing a copy of telegram
from Captain General Blanco, explain
ing that the surrender of such an i'm
portant position as Santiago and the
abandonment of eastern Cuba would re-
quire the direct sanction of the Madrid
government and requesting more time
to be heard from Madrid. At the same
time Captain General BlancO authorized
Gen. Toral, if it was agreeable to the
American general, to appoint commits
siOnerS on both sides to arrange for
capftulatfOn of the forces in his COM
mand on the condition of their parole
and transportation to Spain, pending
the sanction of Madrid. He also COM
munlcated the names of the commits
siOnerS he had selected, namely: Mr..
Robert Mason, the British vice consul;
Gen. TOrals chief of staff, Col. Fon-
taine. and Gen. Escarajao.
This communication was so ambigu-
Gus that it might all be upset by the
refusal of Madrid to sanction the terms
agreed to by the commissioners, and
Gen. Shafter resolved to have all the
ambiguity removed before proceeding
further. At IL o'clock he mounted his
horse and together with Gen. Miles and
his staff, rode to Gen. Wheeler's head
quarters. Gen. Shafter, Gen. Miles, Col.
Maus and an interpreter, left their re
tinue there and passed on over our
trenches, with a flag of truce to the
mango tree, under which the interview
was held. They were soon Joined by
Gen. ToraI, his chief of staff and the
two other commissioners appointed by
him.
@ Gen. Miles took no part in the nego-
tiatiOns. He has been careful since his
arrival here not to assume the direction
of affairs, or to detract in the least from
the glory of Gen. Shafter' achieve
ment.
Gen. Shafter insisted at the outset
that the commissioners to be appointed
should have paramount authority to
make and conclude the terms of surren-
der in accordance with our demands
After parleying, Gen. Toral acceded
to this explaining that since his last
communication he had received direct
authority from Captain General BIancO
to do so. This being the main point. the
interview was soon concluded.
Before parting Gen. Shafter compli-
mented Gen. TOral highly upon the skill
and gallantry of his resistance
Upon the return to Gen. Wheeler's
headquarters the news of our cOmpIete
victory was communicated to Gen Law
ton and to Gen. Kent, and to the brig
ade commanders. A scene of general
rejoicing followed.
Gen Shafter held a regular Ievee be-
fore he dismOunted and was congratu-
lated and cOmplimented by all He i'm
mediately appointed Gen. Wheeler, Gen
LawtOn and Capt. Miley to be com
missiOners on his behalf to treat with
those appointed by Gen. ToraI He then
issued orders to permit our troops to
retire from the trenches, but absolutely
forb1ddlng and one, soldier or civilian
from going into the Spanish lines
The refugees are to be permitted to
return to their homes, but neither our
troops nor the Cuban auxiliaries are to
be permitted to enter the city at pres
ent.
The order as to the Cubans is very
specific. They have shown a disposition
to loot anything and any place. But
they are not to have the privilege of
glutting their appetites for plunder in
Santiago.
A guard is to be maintained about
| the city and the camps of our soldiers
are to be removed just to the front or
to the rear of our lines as in individual
cases is most practicable. The change
l.
prove the health of the troops.
The whole purpose Of the American
commander now is to protect the health
of the army, especially from the dread
ed cOntagiOn.
1t is claimed there is no fever in San
tiago, but the city is full of filth and
stencil, and if our men are allowed to
| go in it will undoubtedly become a pest
hole.
The boys in the trenches were fgnor-
| ant of the outcome of the negotiations
until a heavy luncheon of coffee, hard
| tack and corned beef was served. Then
| General Shafter appointed Colonel As
| tor and Captain McKittrick to convey
! the welcome tidings along the lines.
! Some of the officers favored celebrating
/ the victory with bands and a noisy
! demonstration, but General Shafter
vetoed the proposition. He said there
was no occasion to humiliate the enemy,
/ who had fought bravely. Not even
! cheering was to be permitted. but be-
/ fore Colonel Astor and Captain Nc
/ Kittrick could warn the soldiers the
! latter broke out into wild hurrahS.
! Some danced about, threw their hats
I into the air, hugged each other and con-
| graduated themselves upon the pros
! pect of getting out of Cuba in a few
/ days.
/ General Shafter instructed the com
! missioners that the inside harbor en-
| trance be Immediately opened to allow
| Clara Barton, of the Red Cross society,
! and the supply ships to enter, and that
| the road from SibOney be opened for a
! similar purpose.
We are to supply the Spanish pris-
/ oners with food pending their concen-
/ tration and embarkatiOn. General TOral
| requested this, saying that there was
/ very little food. 1t is probable that the
| Spanish steamers in the harbor will be
/ used in part for the transportation OF
/ the surrenders to Spain.
The Spanish troops abandoned the en-
I trenchments and went into the city.
| Our commissioners, attended by an in
] terpreter, entered the Spanish lines
/ shortly after o'clock and had not re-