Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-07-25

Wheeler's Headquarters, Santiago.
Wednesday. via Kingston, July Is
1t appears that Monday Gen. Shafter
did not again demand unconditional
surrender which Gen. TOral refused on
Sunday, but offered as the alternative
proposition to accept capitulatiOn Of
the enemy and transport the Spanish
officers and troops to Spain, they to
leave all arms behind and he to ac-
cept their parole. This was the propo-
sition that Gen. Toral declined Tues
day. This morning it was decided
to hold a personal interview with
Gen. Toral. Gen. Miles and staff, who
got no further than Skaters head
quarters last night, accompanied by
Shafter and his staff, rode out to the
front shortly before 8 o'clock under
a flag of truce. A request for per-
sonal interview with the Spanish
commander-in-chief was made and ac-
ceded to. About o'clock Gems. Miles,
Shafter, Wheeler, Gilmore, Col Morse,
Capt. Wiley and Col. Maus rode up
and passed over our entertainments
and went down into the valley be-
yond. They were met by Gen. Toral
and chief of staff under spreading
mango tree at the bottom of the val
ley, half way between the lines.
The interview lasted an hour. The
situation was placed frankly before
Gen. Toral. He was offered the al
tentative of being sent home with his
garrison and leaving Santiago prov
ince. The only condition imposed
being that they should not destroy the
existing Notifications and should leave
their arms behind This latter condi-
ton the Spanish general explained
through an interpreter was impossible.
He might abandon the place when he
found it untenable, but he could not
leave his arms behind without sub
jecting himself to the penalty of being
court martialled and shot. His gov
eminent had granted him permission
to evacuate Santiago. That was ALL
When Shafter explained that our re-
Inducements were coming up, that he
was completely surrounded and that
new batteries were being posted, Toral
simply shrugged his shoulders. II am
but subordinate and must obey my
government. If it is necessary we can
die at our posts. The Spanish gen.
erals anxiety to avoid further sacri-
flee of life in his command was mani
fest and he did not hesitate to ask for
time to communicate the situation to
Madrid, although he obviously shook
his head when he spoke of the prob
able response.
In the course of the interview Gen.
Toral said that the b6mbardment Sum
day and Monday had done little dam
age. He admitted that shells from
the guns of the fleet destroyed four
houses, but asserted that only half a
dozen had been injured. He also VOL
unteed the information, when Miles
inquired after Linares' condition. that
the latter would probably have to
undergo amputation of the left arm at
the shoulder.
Upon the return of our commanders
to the American lines an important
consultation was held at Gen.
Wheeler's headquarters. It was
notable group. On the right of Gen.
Miles sat Gen. Shafter and on his
left was Gen. Garcia, who, with Gen.
Castillo and their stats, had ridden
around from the extreme right. Gen.
Wheeler faced the three officers mem
toned while about the both sides
were the camp officers. Hobson, Of
the Merrimac, who had come to head
quarters with messages from the
squadron, was also present. The sit
uation was discussed with the aid Of
a profusion Of maps, and at the con-
clusion of the conference, luncheon
was served. 1t consisted Of beans,
bareback and coffee.
The rainy weather has accelerated
the spread of malarial and other
fevers. In some Of the regiments
over third of the men are suffering.