The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-14
CITY WON'T CAP|TULAIE
Shafter Must Take II With
the Sword.
GETTING UP HIS BIG GUNS.
BOmbardmsnt Delayed Only to
Await. More Batteries.

Torrents of Rain Falling and ArtiI-
lery Moved Only by HurcuIean Eff
fOrt-Army and Navy to Begin At
tack SimultaneOusIy-Am ricnns
Encompass the City From Water
Line to water Linc--spaniards
Make Fatal BIunder by Evacuat-
ing Caimenes.
OFF Juragua, July u, p. m, via King
ston, July 13, 10 a. m--All the negoha-
tions for a peaceful surrender Of Santiago
de Cuba ended in utter failure to-day and
the city must fall by the sword.
Gen. Toral, the Spanish commander,
has finally and definitely refused Gen.
shafter's proposal for an unconditional
surrender and the American army now
only awaits the word of its general to be-
gin the final struggle.
Just where the attack will be made de-
pends upon the time which will ensue be-
fore Gen. Randolph can land his bate
rles al the front, as it is definitely settled
that the forward movement will not begin
until the army is fully backed up by the
big guns, the absence Of which cost so
many lives during the previous engage
ments.
Gen. Randolph's movement began early
this morning, but tonight out of the ten
batteries, only one of four guns had sue
ceeded in making its way over the almost
impassable trail to the trenches at the
front.
This, with the four batteries already
there, Is not considered by the American
commander as sufficient and probably
twenty-four hours more win eiapse before
the general engagement begins.
Gen. Lawtons entire division was moved
to the northward a mile and half, his
extreme right being placed at Caimenes,
on the border of the harbor This move
ment places the American forces in a semi
circle entirely surrounding Santiago ind
cutting off the retreat of the Spanlards
except by water as our fianks rest at the
waters edge.
The late arrivals Of the volunteers were
moved up from Juragua, and the First
Illinois, the Eighth Ohio and the regiment
from the District of Columbia were located
in the trenches vacated by Gen. LAwton's
men
Hines battery was swung around to the
north, closely connecting with Gen. Law
toms forces, and now occupies a bluff
from which it can fire directly into the
heart of the city, This is a most important
move. as it enables the American forces
to shell the city without injurng the hos
pitfalls and public buildings which are flying
the Red Cross flags, the present position
being such that shells can be thrown over
all the buildings thus protected from as
sault.
The 1ittle town Of Caimenes was evacuat-
ed by the Spanish troops yesterday, and is
now occupied by the Cuban troops with
a few companies of regulars.
It's occupation is most important to the
American forces, as it completes the semi
circle from water line to water line, and
hems the city in.
1t was a great blunder on the part Of
the Spanish to desert the place without a
struggle, as with it Gen. Lawton hanks
them completely. Near this point the
Spanish left lies. and this flank has been
known to be the weakest portion of their
line. During the weeks truce they have
been Strengthening il; but their lntrench-
ments at this point have been constructed
raggedly and apparently without definite
plan.
Gen. Lawton anticipates little difficulty
in driving the spaniards from their po-
sltions.
Under the present plans. the American
army and navy will begin the attack at
the same time. The fleet will hurl shells
into the city while the great coil Of Amer
lean soldierY viii gradually tighten about
the Spanish positions, the divisions ad-
vanclng from all along the line.
AS the semi-circle narrows the batteries
in the rear will maintain a heavy fire.
The American officers feel confident the
city can Withstand this terrible assault
but short time.
Gen. Miles went to the front to-day, and
VIII probably remain there the greater
part Of tomorrow. The general was ac-
companied by Troop A, OF the Second cav
slry, she only mounted troops of Gen.
Skaters army.
1t was raining heavily when the start
was made. Owing to the deep mud, 1t was
almost dark when he reached the front.
To the correspondent Of the Associated
Press, who accompanied him to the front,
Gen. Miles said. "I have not come down
here to take command, and shall probably
remain but a few days. It Is TOO late to
make any changes In the plan of cam
paign, even II / desired 10 do so But
have no complaint TO make. Things seem
to be moving in good shape. I intend 10
look over our lines and positions and
study the situation thoroughly, but l viii
not fufprfara a., fha conduct ~ a.. .....l