The herald., 1898-12-03
LOS ANGELES HERALD. SATURDAY MORNING. DEcEMB s. 1898
Rico, and directing that immediate prepara-
tions be made.
NEWS FROM SJAETER

-
Rico, and directing that immediate prepara-
tions be made
NEWS FROM SHAFTER
A telegram from Shafter to the secretary,
dated of Siboney, June 9th, after referring
to precautions taken to mark soldiers graves,
says:
General Duffield's command ashore. l
will not act hastily, though believe can
take the place within forty-eight hours, but
fear at considerable loss of life. There
lis no necessity for haste, as we are growing
| stronger and they weaker every day. The
health Of the command is reported to me by
the surgeon as remarkable, outside of the
wounded. There are today less than 100
men sick; so far no wounded have died and
but two men of disease since leaving Tam
| pa"
| On the 28th Shafter reports that he does
not intend to take the siege guns to the
| front until they are needed, as they might
block the road. Several kilograms from
Shafter follow, telling the story OF each
days events in the campaign.
A LITTLE DEPRESSION
| Another depression from the history of
the Santiago campaign occurs about at this
point in the shape of letter from Miles
to the secretary Of war, suggesting that
while waiting for transports to Santiago the
time was opportune to take and occupy the
Isle Of Pines. The reasons set out for this
suggestion are that the capture of the
island would cut the Spanish cut of base
Of supplies; that it would be easily taken
while the attention of the enemy was d.
rected to other points, and that it was eli
matically suited for the treatment of sick
soldiers and for a detention place for pris.
oners of war. The one steamer then at
Tampa, with some artillery, would suffice
for the expedition. The secretary's reply
was:
'T have the honor to inform you that this
is not approved by the president"
A disquieting telegram about this time
was one from the censor at Key West, who
reported that Cervera had been ordered to
shell Santiago as soon as the Americans got
possession and that the foreign consuls
had been notified to retire. This was for
| warded to Shafter July Sd for information.
SHAFTER AT SANTIAGO
On the same day there was received by
the secretary General Skaters message
dated Sevilla, July Sd, saying that he had
lHNCstCu tHc lOWu WIFI DuI d very tnlu
force; that it was impossible to carry it by
storm with the present force and that he
was seriously considering withdrawing five
miles so as to get near the railroad. He
describes the present condition of the army
with Wheeler and Young sick, Hawkins
wounded and himself confined to the tent
four days by the heat. He also speaks Of
urging Sampson to an entrance, but the
text of this telegram has been published in
the reports of General Shafter and General
Miles. The secretarys answer has not been.
1t, with Skaters rejoinder, was as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington,
July 3, l:22 p. m.-Major General Shafte,.
Playa del Esta: Your first dispatch re.
ceived. Of course you can judge the situa-
tion better than we can at this end Of the
line. If, however, you could hold your pres
ent position, especially San Juan Heights,
the effect upon the country would be much
better than falling back. However, we
leave all the matter to you. This is only
suggestion. We shall send you reinforce
ments at once.
"R. A. ALGER, Secretary Of War"
WILL NOT FALL BACK
"PLAYA DEL ESTE, via Hayt, received
at Washington, July 4, lie a. m.-The Hon
orable Secretary of War, Washington:
Headquarters of the Fifth Army Corps.
July 3.-Shall hold my present position.
"SHAFTER, Major General"
July Sd Adjutant General Corbin tele-
graphed Shafter that he could have what
ever reinforcements he wanted and told OF
the starting from this country for Santiago
of 200 troops from Tampa, 5000 from New
port News and 400 from Charleston. The
secretary supplemented this later in the day
with the following dispatch:
1--WE are forwarding reinforcements to
you this week. How is your health? Do
you think that some one should come to re-
leve you? Are you going to be able to
stand through? What do you think? Be
very careful of yourself.
"R. A. ALGER, Secretary of War"
In dispatch of the same date, to Shafter,
Secretary Alger directs him to intercept all
press dispatches and make report to him at
the close of each day of events Of special
Importance. A dispatch dated Camp Near
Santiago, third, from Shafter to the secre-
tary of war, conveys the first news of the
attempted escape Of the Spanish fleet.
Lieut.. Allen had reported that Cervera had
started out about 10 o'clock that morning.
Duffeld had telephoned from Sboney and
Sampson had signaled for the chase and the
French consul had notified Gen. Garcia
that Cervera was going out at about 10
o'clock, having told the consul that it was
better to die fighting than to blow up his
ships in the harbor.
SURRENDER DEMANDED
On the same dhy Shafter reports that he
had demanded the surrender of Santiago
under the threat of bombardment, but up TO
4:30 had received no answer. He says:
Situation has been prccarious on account
of difficulties Of supplying command with
food, and tremendous fighting capacity
shown by the enemy from his almost i'm
pregnable position"
The next day he says that he is physically
exhausted still, but had eaten a little for
the first time in four days. Shafter trans
mits copies of his demand for the surrender
Of Santiago and the reply, refusal, of date
July 3, and then shows that he postponed
the bombardment until noon of the 5th in
order to allow the foreign consuls to remove
thar people to FL Caney. He explains 20
the secretary that great suffering will re-
suit. and he submits the matter to the
president. The consuls had told Dorst that
there were not to exceed 5000 troops in San
tiago, and that Shafter could starve them
out, letting the non-combatants come out
leisurely.