Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-07-14
BOMBARDINC BEGUN.
Santiago de Cuba Being Shelled by
Our Land and Sea Forces.
ENEMY OFFERED TO SURRENDER
Gen. T0ral Wanted TO Withdraw His Army
with COlors Flying, but Gen. shafter
Refused-An Unconditional
Surrender Wanted.

WARRINGTON, July II. The lombard.
ment Of Santiago by land and sea has
begun. At four o'clock yes erday af-
ternoon Admiral Sampson, with his
bsttleships, and Gen. Shafter, with
the siege guns, which at immense cost
Of labor have been placed in position,
began TO drop shells into the city.
This bombardment will continue I'M.
til the time is regarded as ripe for a
land assault on the city, which will
probably be to-day. Then, unless the
well-laid plans OF the American com
manders fall far short OF accomplish
ment, Santiago must capitulate.
When Gen. Toral offered to sur
render the city on condition that he
be permitted to withdraw his army,
with colors flying, Gen. shatter
promptly replied that only uncondi-
tional surrender would be considered.
At the same time he agreed to cable
Torals proposition to Washington and
70 extend the armistice until noon
yesterday to await reply. Before
the armistice expired Gen. Skaters
declination Of Toral's offer had been
ratified in Washington and Toral had
replied in the negative to Skaters
demand for unconditional surrender.
As soon as possible after that bonn.
bardment began, as Is evidenced by
dispatches received last night, only
part Of which have been given out
Early last evening the war depart
ment posted the following bulletins
Of dispatches.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, July
1Q-Adjutant General Washington: | have
just received letter from Gen Toral declining
unconditional surrender Bombardment by
army and navy will begin ut or us near four p
m as possible SHAFTER Major General
SIBoNEy, July 10 -Adjutant General, Wash
ington, The St Paul nus Just arrived with
Gen. Henry md his command ind quarter
masters stores HUMPHREYS
SlBoNEy, July 10 -Adjutant General, Wash
ington; The Catanla has Just arrived with the
First District Columbia volunteers
HUMPHREYS,
A little latter the war department
announced that IT had been informed
that the bombardment had begun. but
the dispatch was not made public
Shortly after midnight the war de-
partment gave out the following dis
patch from Gen. Shafter:
PLAYA DEL ESTE July i0-Adjutant Gen
eral Washington; Enemy opened fire few
minutes past four with icht guns, which were
soon silencod by ours Very little musketry
firing and the enemy kept entirely in the in
trenchments. Three men slightly wounded
VIII have considerable forces to-day enough
to completely block all the roads on the north
west | am quite we'll SKATER
The fact that the commandment was
scheduled by Shafter to begin so late
In the day created some comment, but
no explanation of it was offered. In
answer to questions bearing on that
point Gen. Corbin said. ~ have not
the slightest information as to the rea.
sons Gen. Shafter had for beginning
the bombardment at the hour he
names, but it was probable that he
was ready just at that time You can
speculate about that as well as | cam
Gen. Shafter has nearly so siege
guns and large number of seven-inch
mortars, besides light artillery, at his
disposal. These guns, taken in con.
nection with the work by the feet,
will, 1t is believed, carry terror and
destruction to Santiago. Anxiety has
been expressed by the war department
officials as to whether Gen, Shafter
had a sufficient force to prevent the
evacuation of Santiago by the enemy.
This anxiety was allayed about 1890
last night by the receipt Of dispatches
from Gen. Shafter.
The belief is held by the best in.
formed officials that Gen. Toral, the
Spanish commander, will surrender
when he finds 1t will be impossible for
him to evacuate the city. Upon what
grounds this belief is based could not
be ascertained, but that information
TO that effect is In the hands Of the
war officials there is no doubt
Gen. Skaters dispatch last night
shows that he is engaged now in
strengthening his position and to-day
will follow up his operations with o
final assault upon the city.