Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-07-14

[ Ill W ill.,
yellow Fever in Camp
Dewey Makes an Important Capture.
There has not been any serious
fighting since our last issue, but the
lines have been drawn closer to Santi
ago, and various propositions for eur
render have been made by Gen. Toral
who is now in command of the Spanish
army, all of which have been refused
by us. 1t was confidently expected
that Santiago would capitulate Sun
day, but up to going to press she has
not done SO. 1t is the belief of many
that most of Toral's army have slipped
away and when we get Santiago we
will have an empty victory. 1t is
thought that the smart Spaniard had
been delaying matters for this very
purpose, and all during the armistice
the troops had been SURVIVING toward
the northwestern mountains, which
we could not prevent as we had no
troops on that side. There has been
much talk of peace during tho week.
but nothing from Spain has come di-
rect. Spain is forming a new cabinet.
as Sagasta has resigned, and this will
be war cabinet, that is composed of
men from the army. Russia, Germany,
Italy, Austria and France, are all Bit
ter against us on account Of our sup
posed intention of taking and holding
the Philippines, and it would be easy
to stir up trouble with them, did they
not fear that England and Japan
would side with us. Our fear of COM
plications with them will not allow
the removal of torpedoes from the va
rious harbors. 1t is thought, how
ever, if the war is ended with Spain
all other matters can be settled by ar
bitration. The Spanish prisoners have
been brought to the United States and
are now quartered at Portsmouth, n.
H., and Annapolis, Md.
SATURDAY.
ions for I h q poo aoP,,1 curron
der of the beleaguered city are at an
end, and Admiral Sampson and Gen.
Shafter have perfected their plans for
the city's destruction.
At an early hour tomorrow after
Moons az now planned the Spaniards
will be shelled by the American feet
from off Aguadores. When the war
ships get to work Gen. Skaters land
batteries will continue the attack from
the hills to the east of the city. A
tremendous fire of shot and shell will
be poured in upon the city.
Gen. Toral, realizing his desperate
position, has been sparring to obtain
from Gen. SKATER the best possible
terms, but all his proposals have been
rejected. Gen. Shafter has delivered
his ultimatum, demanding the unccn-
ditional surrender of the city. Gen.
Toral has declined to capitulate on
those terms.
Gen. Shafter this morning received
letter from Gen. Toral. proposing to
evacuate the city under conditions
which would insure the freedom of
Spanish forces. In this letter Gen.
Toral attempted to conceal his realiza-
ton of his helpless position. With
boastful assurance he called Gen.
Skaters attention to the reinforce
ments ard declared that his entire
garrison was strongly entrencheG in
Commanding position.
He also asserted that he had plenty
of ammunition, and expressed his firm
convictions that the Americans could
not take the city by assault without
sustaining an enormous loss of life.
Gen. Toral, with fine sarcasm, re-
ferred to the fact that the departure
of 20, 600 refugees from the city into
the American lines had greatly dimin-
ished the consumption Of food within
his own lines, and that as a result the
Spanish soldiers had a supply that
would enable them to hold out indefi-
nitely.
In view of these things General Toral
proposed that the Spanish army
should evacuate Santiago and the pro
vince of Santiago de Cuba unmolested,
taking all their cannon, arms, ammuni
tion and standards, together with their
sick and wounded.
In support Of the contention that
the Americans would do well to accept
these conditions; General Toral wrote
that his troops were acclimated aud
that the Americans, on the other hand,
would suffer greatly from disease il
compelled to endure the hardships of
q long siege.
~ shall never surrender the city ex-
cept on these terms,n the Spanish gen
erai declared.
General Shafter after receiving this
letter was helped into a carriage and
was driven to the front. After con-
suitipg with General Wheeler, the
American commander sent reply to
General Toral, in which he refused to
entertain the Spaniard's proposition.
General Shafter, I understand, blunt
ly notified General Toral that nothing
but the unconditional surrender of the
city and The Spanish army would be
considered The Americans will tole-
rate TO com promise which allows the
Spanish troops to escape and swell the
army with which Captain General
Bianco will defend Havana.
SUNDAY.
General Shafter during the lull in
the fighting has extended his lines, and
located his batteries 50 that half of the
entrenehments row occupied by the
Spaniards will be untenable ten min
utes after the Americans open fire.
Every thing on the firing line is now
raa5v for tho commencement of hos
tilities in case the Spanish general do
not surrender.
The dynamite gun, which has been
in position for several days, is now in
better working order than at the time
OF the battle of San Juan, and it is
predicted that its changes, consisting
of twenty pounds of gurcotton and
gelatine, will work havoc in the Span
ish trenches when it opens fire