Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-11
, stroyed in Santiago harbor in order to pre-
vent The entrance OF The Amerlean feet.
SKATER TURNS TORAL DOWN
American General Declines 10 ALLOW
the Spanish Army to Retire
from santiago.
Nonvrirht. 1SaS. hv Associated PressN

1Copyright. 1895. by Associated PressO
OFF JURkGUA, July 9.-(via Kingston,
jamaica. July 10, 1910 a. m.)-The sur
render Of Santiago was formally offered by
the Spanish commander, General Toral, to-
day, but the conditions attached caused a
prompt refusal of the offer by General
Shafter. The negotiations, however, re-
suited in the extension OF the armistice until
neon sunday ami white flags of truce still
hoet. over the opposing armies,
General Toral's proposal contemplated the
immediate surrender OF The city, but he in.
sisted that his army be permitted to march
away under arns and with flying celors, and
declared that he would fight to the last
ditch unless the conditions were accepted.
General Shafter replied that nothing but
unconditional surrender would be consid-
cred by him, but he consented to cable the
Spanish offer to Washington, in the mean
time extending the armistioe.
1t was shortly before noon today when q
little group of Spanish officers under a Nag
of truce came out from under the yellow
wall OF the besieged city and slowly made its
way toward The American line. A detail was
sent to meet them. and they were escorted to
comfortable quarters while the letter from
General ToIal vas carried to General Shat
ter's tent, two miles from the front. The
letter was couched in the Jelly courteous
terms characteristic OF such Communications
and was brief as possible. 1t bore the
signature of General Toral, who commands
at Santiago since General Linares was
wounded, and stated that he was prepared
to surrender the city provided his army
would be permitted to capitulate with
honor This, he explained, meant that the
S,ati-b Fn,r,c Cba,,la 10 ,,,,,ol,-t,1 anl ,,
in any direction they wished with arms and
flying their coloIs. The letter concluded
with the Told statement that surrender under
any other terms was an impossibility and
would not be considered.
SKATER Refuses.
General shafter Immediately cabled the
facts to Washington and sent to General
Toral a refusal OF his proposal. but added
that he would communicate with his govern
ment and extend the formal armistice until
Sunday noon. 1t is deemed possible that
the truce may be extended beyond the point
indicated, as the offer of General Toral TO
surrender on any terms is regarded as an
indication that the Spanish commander has
decided upon surrender upon the best terms
obtainable.
The general condition of the health of
the American troops is excellent, but the
water supply is poor and a number of cases
of malarial fever have developed. No deaths
have resulted, however, and in nearly all
the instances the fever has been broken up
by a liberal use of %quinine. The hardships
OF the campaign and the fears of possible
attacks of fever have rid the army in the
field and on the coast of noncombatants,
with the exception of a few newspaper cor
respondents, who have been on the ground
since the American war ships appeared off
Santiago and who constitute the only force
able 10 report the progress of the war with
the assistance of the dispatch boats.
The second fleet of transports arrived
Off Juragua this morning, bearing $500
troops, including a large detachment of ar
tillery. If the peace negotiations fail these
heavy guns will be a most valuable addi-
ton TO the artillery now in the field and it
is expected that they will be rushed for
ward to the front. The new troops will be
landed. tomorrow and pushed forward as
rapidly as possible.
The days of temporary peace are being
utilized by both armies in strengthening
their defences. The Americans have strongly
entrenched themselves and the artillery now
at the front has been placed in a strong
position behind earthworks and will be able
to cover the advance of the troops much
more effectively than during the previous
engagement. The feeling is strong among
officers and men that Santiago will surren-
der without further fighting.
The wounded in the hospitals are being
well cared for and in almost every instance
are recovering rapidly.