Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-07-22

the nOpeleSSnesS OIL ner cause, anu
will finally accede to every de.
mand of our government.
HOW SANTIAGO FELL.
Gen. Toral, the Spanish com.
mander, realized the hopelessness
Of further resistance, and the
American commander, Gen. Shat
ter, was inclined to reduce the
harshness of the terms which he
first proposed to impose upon the
enemy.
After General Toral's refusal
to accept the proposition of sur
render, it was decided to hold a
personal interview with him.
General Miles and his staff &C.
companied by Gen. Shafter, Gen.
Wheeler, ct ais, under flag of
truce rode ont to Gen. ToraPs
headquarters, where an hour was
spent in an interview with him.
The situation was placed frankly
before Gen. Toral and he was Of
fered the alternative of being sent
to Spain with his garrison or
leaving Santiago province. The
only condition imposed being that
he should not destroy the existing
Notifications, and should leave
his arms behind. He said the
laws of Spain gave a general no
discretion; that he could not
leave his arms behind without
subjecting himself to the penalty
of being court.martialed and shot.
His government, he said, had
granted him permission to evacu-
ate Santiago. That was all.
Further than that he was power
less to go. But Notwithstanding
these facts, Gen. Toral accepted
the terms of surrender of this
kind, and the American flag now
waves over Santiago and the sur.
rounding country.
The appearance of yelloy fever,
in Santiago de Cuba, no Doubt
was the chief obstacle in further
continuing the war. Now that
the American flag floats over that
section, until winter sets in, our
men.of.war, in order to escape the
plague of the disease, must repair
to the hills adjacent Santiago.
Santiago de Cuba, July IT,
Noon. - Amid impressive cere-
monies the Spanish troops laid
down their arms between the lines
of the Spanish and American
forces at 8 o'clock this Sunday
morning.
Gen. Shafter and the American
brigade and division commanders
were escorted by troop of cav
airy, and Gen. Toral and his staff
by 100 picked men.
Trumpeters on both sides sa
luted with hourishes.
Gen. Shafter returned to Gen.
Toral the latter's sword after, il
had been handed to to the Ameri
can commander.
Our troops, lined up at the
trenches, were eye.witnesses Of
the ceremony.
Gen. Shafter and his escort, &C
compadied by Gen. Toral, rode
through the city, taking formal
possession.
The city had been sacked before
they arrived by the Spaniards.
AT the palace elaborate cere'
monies took place. Exactly al
noon the American flag was raised
over the palace and was saluted
by q guns by Capt. Capron's bat
terry. At the same time all the
regimental bands in our line played
"The Star-Spangled Banner" after
which President McKinley's con
gratulatory telegram was read to
each regiment.
The 18th and 9th regiments will
remain in the city to enforce order
and exercise municipal authority.
The Spanish forces are to camp
outside of our lines.
GEN. sHAFTER's OFFICIAL RE
PORT.
Santiago de Cuba, July IT,
Acknowledgement United States
Army, Washington: | have the
honor to announce that the Amer
lean flag has this instant Q2
o'clock noon hoisted over the
house of the civil government Of
the City of Santiago.
An immense cOncOurse of pe0
pie were present. A squadron Of
cavalry and a regiment of pre-
scented arms and the band played
national airs. A light battery
fired a salute of q guns.
Perfect order is being main
tanned by the municipal govern
ment. Distress is very great, but
there is little sickness in the town
scarcely any yellow fever.
A small gunboat and about zoe
seamen left by Cervera have sur
rendered to me.
Distractions are being removed
from The mouth of the harbor.
Upon coming into the city
discovered a perfect ENHANCEMENT
of defences. Fighting as the
Standards did the first day. il