The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-07-15
THE SURRENDER.


account are at hand concerning the
terms Of the surrender Of the Spanish
forces at Santiago de Cuba. But it is
sufficient to know that the terms meet
the approval of the President, and that
further bloodshed in that section of
Cuba is avoided by the capitulation.
It is very gratifying that the out
come Of the conflict there is what it
is now reported to be, because it re-
fleets honor upon the army. Hereto
fore about all the glory Of the war has
been to the credit of the navy. 1t is
time, therefore, that the army should
come to the fore and be encouraged by
successes that pass to its credit. AS
suredly, it was the investment of Santi-
ago de Cuba by the army under General
Shafter that induced Cervera to- make
his famous dash out of the bay and
into the arms Of the American fleet
That was really the first victory for
the army. Yesterdays capitulation was
the second. These two splendid achieve
ments now put the army on a popular
credit-level with the navy, and thus
both arms Of our service come in for
due honors.
The surrender was a wise concession
on the part of the Spanish To have
longer sustained the struggle in front
of Santiago was hopeless for them.
They were so completely invested and
so outclassed that further fighting
would have been suicidal We shall
expect to hear, however, that a con-
siderable part of the Santiago force
escaped, made its way out before the
investment was complete, and that the
number of men and arms surrendered
will not aggregate the figure expected
by the American people.
But the Spanish army backbone in
East Cuba is effectually broken. The
few troops to the north and west. at
and beyond Holguin. will probably make
haste to move west, and possibly to
reach the vicinity Of Havana 1t will
be useless for them to attempt to re-
take Santiago. We will possess the
bay, and from that point of vantage
can hold the city with ease if indeed
there is any special value in such hold
ing, which We doubt. But the waters
of the hay give US splendid port Of
refuge. and greatly add to our naval
strength in Cuba
The fall of Santiago is a great vic
tory, however considered. 1t is a VIC
tory over which the people have a right
to rejoice, as they did yesterday and
last night It is a demonstration of
the power and determination of the
American people that will go far to-
wards convincing Spain of the hope
lessness Of continuing the war. 1t will
impress Europe sensibIy with the truth
that American arms are to be both re-
spected and feared, and that neither
direction nor dictation from that quar-
ter will be tolerated.
As to the disposition of the captured
Spanish present advices are that they
Will be returned to Spain. That is in
finitely better than combining them on
this side the Atlantic, which can be
done only at enormous cost. If we
have any money to expend in feeding
and clothing and guarding dependents,
let it be disbursed for the benefit Of
the starving women and children and
helpless men among the unfortunate
non-combatant Cubans. Besides, the
return Of the prisoners to their homes
in Spain will have a decidedly benefi-
cial influence there, where a murky
atmosphere of ignorance prevails con-
corning Americans, which the stories
OF the returned prisoners viii serve to
largely dissipate.
To thus dispose of the prisoners will
be merciful to our own men, a very
large body of whom would have to be
detached to guard them if kept on this
side. Moreover. the removal will en-
able US to recall the army more speed
lily to await the passage of the sickly
season, which has already commenced
to tell upon our troops disastrously.
The return Of the prisoners to their
own land will also create an excellent
impression in Europe. and rebound
greatly to our credit there. We may
defy European. sentiment, but we should
much prefer to have sympathy and just
judgment in that quarter.
With amused interest the people have