The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-02
SHAFTER ON THE SURRENDER.
GENERAL FOUND SANTIAGO A NET
WORK OF FoRTIFICATIoNS.

Lees of Life Would Have Been Much
Heavier IL He Had Been Obliged to
Fight the Spnniards-The Spanish
Army Surrendered Numbers $4,000
Men and Outnumbered Skaters
Army by 6,OOO Men-EverythinG
Going Admirably.
Washington, Aug. 1.-The Secretary of
War has received the following letter
from Gen. shafter transmitting the COM
missioner's report on the surrender of the
Spanish army at Santiago;
Camp Before Santiago, Cuba, July IS,
1881 take the liberty of sending to you,
this morning, copy of the agreement be-
tween the commissioners on my part and
the commissioners on the part of the gov
ernment of Spain for the surrender of
Eastern Cuba. The schedule Just submit
ted shows there to be a little over 1900
men and officers about 5000 more than I
have myself, and am glad to say that we
have all got these men with very little
loss of life compared to what it would
, have been had we had to fight them
THE city Of Santiago is simply a net
work of fortihcations at every street cor
ner. had no proper conception of Its
strength until l went into 1t, although
knew these old stone towns were natural
ly very strong
Everything is going admirably. so far
as the transfer is concerned; and the
Spanish troops are behaving well, as they
are perfectly delighted at the prospect OF
getting home.
II send you a telegram OF Gen. Lnares
to his government which one OF the con-
suls gave me. II shows the straits to
which they were put and the feelings
which animated them. He stated the case
exactly; did have him so
surrounded that it was impossible for him
to get away; and l could wait and he could
not
Il send out tomorrow morning to re-
ceive something over 2eO0 men up in the
interior. short distance about thirty
miles, and in two or three days win send
to Guantanamo to receive the 1000 that
have surrendered there They should be
shipped from Guantanamo bay direct 10
Spain. There are also about 800 men each
from Baracoa and Sagua de Tanamo on
the north coast, who will come into the
port there for shipment
II will send an officer around with n
Spanish officer to take their arms and mil
itary supplies.
I'VE hav gotten a great deal more than
l had any idea of getting In the way OF
munitions of war. In everything but food
they were well supplied. Have got a few
beautiful modern, high-power guns--abo bout
a dozen.
My only fear is that we shall have
some sickness; and 1t Is for that reason
that l have wired you so earnestly about
getting these prisoners away, so that we
can go up In the mountains with my COM
mand fifteen or twenty miles, at the end
of the railroad at San Luis, which is raid
to be very healthy 1t is, at any rate
about 1,5OO feet above the level of the
sea and has communication by rail with
Santiago.
80 far there Is no fever IN Santiago
suppose because there Is none there
except immunes. Three cases only so
far this year and the English consul tells
me there was very little last year
"Of those here that served throughout
the civil war all declare they never had
anything that could compare with II for
hardship. With only one set of clothes
officers have been until now rained on
nearly every day carrying three days ra-
tions, like the men, on their person and
suffering every privation that any man
can; added to all these privations, IN ad-
dition. all the horrors of disease in an un-
known land and very limited accommoda-
zion should they be wounded The spirit
shown by them and the whole army was
SIMPLY grand. l can recall no instance
where a greater surrender has been made
than this.
'The final surrender of Gen. Toral ana
his generals to myself and generals was
highly dramatic, as well as the hoisting
of the flag over the city OF Santiago, one
Of the oldest cities on this continent.
81 want 10 thank you and the President
for the words of cheer that have come
to us and to say that none of us have
ever doubted that every effort possible TO
make our lives as secure and our situation
as comfortable as possible would be done"
Washington. Aug. 1.-Col. John Jacob
Astor, who was detailed by Gen. Snafter
to bear the Secretary OF War the official
report of the surrender of Santiago,
reached Washington to-day. He called
at the war department and with Adjt.
Gen. Corbln went to the White House and
reported to the President. He stayed only
few minutes and then hurried back to the
war department to deliver his official re-
port TO Secretary Alger, his Instructions
being 10 tender II to him in person.
Col Astor Is bronzed and sunburnt as
the result Of his participation In the cam
paign before Santiago.
HAVANA FEELS WARS HORRORS.