The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-17

General Wheeler Responsible for
Much of the Misunderstanding.

General Wheeler Responsible for
Much of the Misunderstanding.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. July 16.-To the infinite
relief of the Washington government the
surrender of Santiago has been consum-
mated, though the President and war off,
cials here are still in the dark as to some
Of the details. The main facts are palpably
in evidence, however, and that is sufficient
ground for satisfaction When the Presi-
dent retired to his weary couch, at 2 o'clock
this morning, it was an even chance that
there would yet be a fight before Santiago
capitulated, but the mornings developments
put a more peaceful complexion on affairs
and further bloodshed was averted The
Presidents final instructions to General
Shafter put backbone into the situation.
The commanding general was directed to
demand prompt action and to peremptorily
put period to palaver. The commander-in-
chief in the White House brought matters
to a sharp climax. There was nothing for
General Toral to do but fight or throw up
his hands. He did the latter.
Considerable pardonable confusion is un-
derstood to have arisen over a misconstruc-
ton as to the terms of the surrender. Gen.
Wheeler undertook the translation of Gen.
Torals propositions into English and Gen.
Skaters conditions into Spanish. The re-
suit was about as bad a mix-up as the at
tempt to translate Bret Hartes ''Leapng
Frog" into French and back again into
English. The snarl will eventually be un-
raveled. but the War Department was per-
picked for while tonight trying to get
at the true inwardness of the situation. If
the matter under consideration were not so
i
meaning attempt to act as interpreter and
translator would make an intensely funny
story.
The rapid movement of the war will not
be interrupted by the elimination of the
Santiago campaign. While the generals in
the field are still engrossed with the settle
ment of the terms of the surrender, Pres
ident Mckinley is pushing ahead prepara-
tions for the conquest of Porto Rico and
the demonstration against Spain. General
Brooke was in consultation with the secre-
tary of war for a long time to-day arrang-
ing the details of the Porto Rican expedi-
tion. The latest plan of campaign is for
him to have charge of the invasion, but this
plan may be changed before start is made
The first idea was to give the command to
General Coppinger. Then General Miles
was to assume the direction of the expedi-
ton and now Brooke is the man. The sit
uation may again change. The occupation
of Porto Rico will probably occur within
the next fortnight.
Less peace talk is heard to-day. Abso-
lutte and unqualified denial is made in all
high official quarters that any thing is be-
ing done by the two governments or any
of their agents for peace. A great number
of unauthorized people are still offering
suggestions, but no step has been taken
looking to negotiations in quarters where
negotiating can be done to some purpose
The Spanish government for the first time
is in a position to talk business, but moth
ing from Madrid is looked for in the i'm
mediate future. Conditions are ripening,
however, and that is about all that can be
said. When the Spanish government is
ready to act it can now do so without as
great danger as heretofore of a revolution
at home. The decree suspending civil
rights empowers the government to put an
iron hand on the throat of any man or set
or men who may criticise or talk sedition.
Inc decree is believed to have been aimed
specifically at General Weyler and military
agltators of his stripe, who have been con-
spicuously in the foreground threatening
trouble. mild interview from Weyler this
morning shows that he understands the
meaning OF the decree, and that he is not
gong to render himself liable to arrest and
Imprisonment for utterances distasteful to
Sagasta Martial law is not necessarily a
peace measure, though, and the administra-
ton is not relying much on the peace con-
struction which is being given the decree
by many. 1t may mean directly the other
thing.