The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-07-16
GIVES HIM A CHANCE.
Original Demand for Unconditional
Surrender Modified.
Gen Miles Final UItimatum 10 Gen.
ToraI states That His Army VIII He
Given transportation to spain
Yellow Fever Menaces Troops.

ToraI states That His Army VIII lie
Given Transportation TO spain
Yellow Fever Menaces Troops.
Playa del Este, Guantanamo Bay,
July 14.-Maj. Gen. Miles on Wednes-
day assumed command of the army
around Santiago and the future move
ments of the United States troops will
be directed by him in person. The
armistice which had been declared,
pending negotiations for the surren-
der of the Spanish forces, will expire
at noon to-day and unless the demands
of the Americans are acceded TO by
that time general attack will be
made, the feet bombarding the city
from outside the harbor.
strength of Skaters Command.
Gen. Skaters command is now in
excellent condition and spirits. Strong
reenforcements have arrived and are
Mt the front. The original force under
Skaters command numbered 10000
men. Since July 1 the corps has been
reinforced by the following troops:
Gen Dufiields brigade. $500 men.
Recruits for the regular army. $50 men.
First Illinois infantry 9i2 men.
First District OF Columbia infantry, $50
men.
Six batteries United States light artillery.
725 men
Gen. Garretson's brigade. consisting OF
the Eighth Ohio. the Sixth Illinois and the
Sixth Massachusetts, 3,9OS men.
Eliminating 1900 killed, wounded and
sick. Gen. Shafter has now under his com
mand an available force Of 2.a3 men.
Skaters Dispatch.
Following is the dispatch received
Wednesday from Gen. Shafter:
"Adjutant General Washington, D. c.,
Headquarters Near Santiago. July ID
Your telegram saying no modification OF
orders allowed just received. Have had an
interview OF an hour and a half with Gen.
Toral and have extended truce until to-
morrow told him that his surrender only
will be considered and that he was without
hope OF escape and had no right TO continue
the fight think II made strong impress
sion on him and hope for his surrender: IL
ne refuses l Will open on him at IL noon
tomorrow with every gun have and
will have the assistance or the navy who
are ready TO lombard the city with l3-inch
shells.
"(Signed) SHAFTER"
Dispatch from Gen. Miles.
The dispatch received from Gen.
Miles follows:
playa del Este. July 1s.-secretary OF
War: At a meeting between the lines at
which Gen. Shafter and Gen. Wheeler and
Spanish General Toral were present the lat
ter claimed that he Is unable TO act without
authority OF his government but has re-
ceived authority TO withdraw and surren-
der harbor ports, munitions or war ana
eastern portion of Cuba. He urgently re-
quests until tomorrow noon TO receive an
swer from his government regarding offer
OF our government to send his forces to
Spain. which was granted.
"(Signed) MILES
Major General Commanding"
On the bulletin giving Gen. Miles
dispatch was written the following
permission to withdraw was declined
by war department.
"(Signed) X A. A"
Offers "A Condition.
The public in this telegram from Gen.
Miles was given the first notice that
our government had offered, in the
course of negotiations with Gen. Toral.
10 send the Spanish forces in Santiago
back to Spain. a few days ago IL was
stated that the president would insist
upon unconditional surrender, but 1t
appears that that condition has been
modified, as indicated by Gen. Miles.
This was done from desire TO avoid
useless bloodshed, for Gen. Toral's
army, removed 10 Spain. would be harm
less 10 prevent our further operations
In Cuba, and would serve as good II pur-
nose as would the destruction OF the
Spanish army. To allow the Spanish
general to withdraw TO the interior and
fall back on Havana. on the other hand
would put us under the obligation OF
overcoming that additional force wher
Il comes 10 the siege of Havana.
TO Escape the Fever.
Our government, also, is moved &c
make this proposal % remove the Span
ish forces TO Spain through strong de
sire tc close up the operations at San
tiago at the earliest possible moment
This desire has been materially
strengthened by the appearance o.
yellow fever within the American lines
II was at first supposed that the meI
were falling III with malaria and Gil
matte fever, as the cases were re
ported as simply suspicious. Now
however. comes the final admission
that they are genuine yellow feve
cases Their appearance has de
termined the authorities upon NOR
nctive prosecution Of the campaign.
The Last Truce.
Orders either have gone or soon vii
ro 10 Gen. Shafter 90 discuss n
more with the Spanish commander tn
terms of surrender. but 10 proceed I
assault the town with all the force
his command as soon as the presen
truce expires. 1t is expected by Shal
Ter that the navy will cooperate ant
while Secretary Long has received n
direct adyices on that point from &c
miral Sampson, he fully credits TIL
expectation. Reluctant as the ""
department Is TO sacrifice the man
lives that might be lost In assault, u
deemed 10 be better policy TO make
L.. 20 ROT