The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-03

troops in Santiago, and that shafter could
starve them oas. letting the nou-son-
bafants come out lei$urvly
The secretary replied thu. for huuaansty's
sake ne approved the posIponement Of the
bomhardment as proposed though Se.saster
would be justified n carrying cut the orig
iaai threat Later in the same day Gen
Corbn directed Shafter TO use his own
Judgment about how 10 take the city, only.
for manifest reasons. Il should be accom-
plished as speedily possible. The sec
Rotary also added a short telegram saying
thar ne had not intended to direct Skaters
movements as he was the best Judge OF
the situation and he had faith in his wis
dom. Later SIN On July the following
telegram was dispatched:
Suggestion That Shafter Retire.
'Msj--Gen. Shafter. Playa del Este.
Cuba: After conference with the pressdent
and the secretary OF war. l am directed TO
and anxiety. II case you are disabled.
Gen. Wheeler would Of course. succeed TO
command His illness. which We also re-
greet, IS feared 10 be so serious "a to pre-
vent his assuming command. You must
determine whether your condition Is such
as 20 require you TO reIinquish command.
II SO. and Gen. Wheeler is disa bied, you
viii order the next general officer in rank
for duty TO succeed you and take up tho
work in hand. II IS not expected that our
forces will make assault until they are
ready. H C. CORBIN.
Adjutant-General.
The response was as follows:
lamp Near SSdUtlaED dc tlDa, July
Adjutant-Generai. Washington: / am not
at present so much i'll as exhausted from
the intense strain that has been on me for
the last two months I am also suffering
from an attack of govt, which prevents me
from moving about I have, however. the
whole business In my hand, and am man.
aging 1t through able staff officers. When
l do have 10 give UP / viii, of course, fol-
lew your order. but I hope 20 be better
soon. ''SHAFvTER,
Major-General Command
PandO's Entrance to Santiago.
On the 3rd Gen. Shafter reported that
Pando could not get into Santiago, but on
the 4th he reported Pando's entrance with
SEQ troops from Holguin. and asked about
his own reinforcements. On the 4th Shafter
reported that he was returning the Spanish
wounded, ne being satisfied that such a
course would SOW the seeds of dissatiSfac-
ton in the Spanish ranks. as he says:
The soldiers said we were fighting the
church and were going to kill them.''
In telegram dated San Juan, Attn, Shat
ter says:
II regard 1t as necessary that navy force
an entrance into the harbor of Santiago
not later than the 9th inst. and assist in
the capture of that place. II they do so,
believe the place will surrender without
further sacrifice OF hfe."
shafter Wants More Troops.
"A supplementary telegram declared that
# the army was to take the. place alone.
lo.VO troops were wanted speedily. and then
II was not certain on account of the stormy
weather. and surer way was through the
bay.
Corbin 10 confer with Sampson at once for
cooperation in taking Santiago and after
the fullest exchange of views you will agree
upon the time and place of attack"
On the afternoon of the same day Gen.
Coroin telegraphed that the secretary Of
war found it evident from your several re-
ports that you do not consider your force
strong enough to make a successful as
sault upon the Spanish army intrenchef in
Santiago. This being the case. it is the
point OF wisdom 10 await reinforcements,
the embarkation or which you have already
been advised. You must be the judge OF
time and manner of assault. The president
mas directed that you and Admiral Sanp-
son nave a conference and determine apon
course of cooperation best calculated TO
secure desired results with least sacrifice"
TIE next day Shafter was telegraphed
The secretary OF war is anxious TO know
what prospect thera is OF breaking through
the lines. He WITH be very glad, even with
q delay, 10 have cooperation of the navy.
mus saving many livea.'
shafter Disinclined to Assault.
July Shafter telegraphed that. after con.
fuitation with Sampson the navy was dis
inclined to force entrance except as last
resort: would lombard the city for twenty
four hours. ard then try TO force the en-
trance with small ships: He had made an
other demand for Torars surrender. which
he hoped would succeed He saws: as a
last resort l will try running in transports
l don't consider my force sufficient to war
rant an assault on thu city, of course II
would be criminal to try il for the end ia
be gained. which is merely the capture of
a few thousand men. and when we are get
ting them by siege"
Were Not short of Food.
, Saaiter was telegraphed that it was re-
ported here that his men We're without
food He replied on the 9th that on the
day Of the battle the men had piled m and
left Their blankets and haversacks and were
no. able to get them until the. next night.
some of them may have been hungry but
on the night of the battle pack trains de-
Gvered food along the line They were
without tobacco for several days and ii was
oniy py great exertion that coffee sugar
meat and bread could he gotten. Or these
the men had fun ratiors though coffee was
lacking for twenty-four hours
Miles Starts for Santiago.
The next communication is a note from
Gen. Miles at army headquarters at WASH
ington announcing his intention OF leaving
Washington on the following night. Two
days later July s, this dispatch was sent
July s.-Maj. Gen. Shagter Playa del Esea
Cuba The secretary OF war desires me to
MORN you that Gen. Miles left here at
structions not in any manner 10 suuersela
you as commander Of the forces in the
neid near Santiago. so long a. you are hia
for du;y. tSlgned)
III. c. CoRRrN.
"Adjutant- Genera"
The following dispatches annouuTs tbA
sailing of Miles on the Yale. his arriva,
AZ Siboney ana the extension of the line of
investment. On the sth Gen. Corbin asked
Statter II ne recommended the armng OF
hls volunteers with krag-Jorgensens, and
the reply was immediately as follows:
headquarters Fifth Army Corps -Adt:.-
General United states Army, Washington:
by all means arm IN field Henrys division
and the volunteer regiments now here with
the g-Jorgensen rifle The use Of hack
powder instantly brought volleys AGAINST
regiments using Sprnefieids and was very
domoTal!z!ag on these regiments
'SEAE'TER
Ma or-G General Commanding.''
Negotiations for Surrender.