Evening star., 1898-07-13
THE MESSAGE TO TORAL.
Gen. Shafter Sent Him Word That He
Can at Will Destroy Santiago.

Copyright, 1s9S, by the Associated Press.l
SIBONEY. Cuba, July IL, P.m.-The
fleet lying off Aguadores, three n7iies east
of Moro Castle, began the bonbard.nent
of Santiago on Sunday afternoon and con-
tinued it this morning. Notwithstanding
the fact that our ships had to mr. at an
extreme elevation, and although he range
was nearly five miles, the aim Was so ac-
curate that many of the shells fe'l in the
city and set fire TO it in four places.
One shell struck St. Michael's Church, in
which a quantity of powder ard ammunf-
ton was stored, and oisw * to pieces.
During the bombardment from the sea
the army extended its lines and drew in
closer to the city, SO that at noon today
every road and traD lea ing nut of the
city was guarded, AMI the escape of the
Spanish soldiers seemed Impossible. The
only way they can get out of the city is
TO ferry across the bay to the western
side of the harbor. and even tnan they
could not get into the int erior without en-
countering American troops
During the time the wI"Sa.ps we've benz
harding Santiago this morning the hat
terfes or artillery on the filla facing the
city Sheiled the Spanish entertainments and
received but slight response.
The American sharpsho pJers also sent in
a deadly fire, and the SYania-ds fell lack
TO their last entertainments. Offering but
little resistance. The Americans suffered
no loss.
Gen. Skaters Demand.
At noon today General Shafter comrnuni-
Gated by signal with Rear Admi1al Sa;np-
son requesting the latter TO lease hrilg-
Then the general sent General Wheeler
into the Spanish lines unde' a flag OF
truce. with a message to General Toral, the
Spanish commander. recitin4s the fact that
the American ships had given complete
demonstration that they could throw shells
into the city and destroy it at will; that
the American troops mad the city prdcu-
caHy surrounded, and that there wee
is coo Spanish and Cuban refugees starving
to death at Ell Caney, and also pointing
out that our army had 10 means Of iced
ing them.
General shafter then deinanded the uE-
conditional surrender OF the city, and
coupled this demand with the statement
that unless General Toral accadeG the as
sault upon the city, both by the land and
sea forces, would be renewed at once.
Several hours elapsed before any reply
was received from General Toral. and then
he sent a message to General Shafter TO
the effect that the mAt;er was OF such
great Importance that he raj been obliged
to refer it to the Madrid government, and
ttat he would send his final answer a.
soon as he could receive Instructions from
Madrid.
1t was then late in the afternoon, and
General Shafter gave orders 10 all the
troops TO get as much rest as possible and
be prepared to resume the attack at Ely
moment.
No other answer had been received from
General Toral up TO O'Clock this evening.
During the time the negotiations were
pending Major General Miles arrived off
Aguadores, on board the Yale. from
Charleston. Admiral Sampson Went on
board the Yale and he'll conference with
General Miles; then the latter Went to ST.
honey, landed for short while. and held