The San Francisco call., 1898-07-10


 the tenor of the dispatch from General Shafter indicating that the commander of the enemy's forces had made his final proposition for surren- der, that forced Secretary Alger to conclude that the bombardment of San tiago is inevitable. The authorities, however, do not anticipate that the final attack on Santiago will be of long duration. In fact, they are confidently looking for the fall of the city by to- morrow night.
 Rear Admiral Sampson has informed the Navy Department that he has made arrangements to cooperate with the army in the attack on the city His guns will fire at a high elevation over the hills with view of demeralizing the enemy. The Notifications defend ing the harber will also be bombarded. It continues to be Rear Admiral Sarnp- sons policy not to enter the channel until the mines have been removed, and this will necessitate the capture of Morro Castle by the army and the removal of the electrical mines by small boats, after which the ships can enter lNG HdIDOI OdlClS.
 WASHINGTON, July 9.-The great battle expected to-day did not take place, although the armistice expired at noon, with the forces on both sides at Santiago lined up for battle. The reason was that the Spanish com mander, who had been in correspon- dence by telegraph with his home Gov ernment, was seeking to make terms with General Shafter by which he might save hisshrmy from capture. He was willing to give up Santiago with out resistance if allowed to retreat with all of his men and arms across the island. but this idea was not enter tained for moment by our Govern ment.
 On the contrary, every effort will be put forth to seal up all avenues Of es- cape from Santiago and to compel the final surrender of the Spanish army. To have allowed them to make their way unmolested into the interior would have amounted simply to re-enforce- ment of the garrison of Havana by these thousands of trained soldiers who have proven their courage as worthy foemen In the fighting in the trenches On the other hand, to com pei them to surrender, 1t is believed, | would certainly produce an enormous moral effect. both in Havana and in | Spain itself and thus tend to the early | conclusion of the war.
 | Secretary 'Alger and Adjutant Gen eral Corbin were in quick communica- tion with General Shafter at Santiago 1 during the day Both officials, how 1 aI ,1oCtfivQlu fO piUP for publication any dispatches relating to | the negotiations that are going on be- tween General Shafter and General Li- mares, or to confirm any of the excit- | ing rumors that were flying through the corridors all day. Nevertheless, 1t was evident from their manner that a crisis had been reached so far as San l tfaeo was concerned, and that as mat | ters stood at the close of the day there was no reason to be dissatisfied with the outlook, as 1t is known that Gen eral Shafter has lost nothing by the armistice, his men are rested, the con- missary has improved, the roads have | been cleared and his artillery is now almost completely placed in most eff fective manner. None of these things existed at the begnning of the armis- | tice. On the other hand, the Spanish forces have largely diminished their slender stock of provisions and have steadily lost confidence As soon as they are convinced that they will be humanely treated and fed and will not be subjected to inhuman treatment (and the War Department proposes that they shall be thus protected) it Is expected there will be many deser- tions from the Spanish lines.
 Thereis the strongest indisposition on the part of the strategists to enter tain favorably the proposition said to be under consideration at Madrid look l ing to an armistice of ten days in or der to consider terms of peace. They believe that the United States has everything to lose and nothing to gain | by accepting such a proposition. Dur | ing that time Camara's squadron might find safe lodgment In some strongly fortified coast town like Fer rol and thus elude Watson's pursuit. Naval officials feel that another change may have to be made in the makeup of the Eastern squadron