Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-11
Copyright. Associated Pressl

Copyright. Associated Press.)
On Board The Associated Press
Dispatch Boat Wanda, off Jura-
qua, Saturday, July 8, Z p. m, via
Port Antonio. Jamaica, Sunday,
July 10, 8 a. m, anG Kingston,
Jamaica, 10: 40 a. m.-The surren-
der of Santiago was formally Of
fered by the Spanish commander,
Gen. Toral, to-day, but the condi-
tions attached caused a prompt
refusal of the offer by Gen.
Shafter. The negotiations, how
ever, resulted in the extension of
the armistice until noon Sunday,
and the white flags of truce still
float over the opposing armies.
Gen. Toral's proposal contemp
lated the immediate surrender Of
the city, but he insisted that his
army be permitted to march away
under arms, and with flying colors,
and declared that he would fight to
the last ditch unless the conditions
were accepted.
Gen. Shafter replied that nothing
but
UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER
would be considered by him, but
he consented to cable the Spanish
offer to Washington, in the mean
time extending the armistice.
1t was shortly before noon when
a little group Of Spanish officers,
under a flag 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
Gen. Toral was carried to Gen.
Skaters tent, two miles from the
front. The letter was couched in
acteristic of such communications
and was brief as possible. 1t bore
the signature of Gen. Toral, who
commands at Santiago since Gen.
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 Spanish forces
should be unmolested and go in
anv direction they wished with
arms and flying their colors.
The letter concluded with
THE BOLD STATEMENT
that surrender under any other
terms was an impossibility, and
would not be considered.
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 gov
eminent and would extend the In
formal armistice until Sunday at
noon.
1t is deemed probable that the
truce may extend even beyond the
time designated, as the offer of Cen
eral Toral to surrender on any
terms is regarded as an indica-
ton 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 ma
larial fever have developed. No
deaths have resulted, however, and
in nearly all the instances the few
er has been broken up by liberal
use of quinine. The hardships Of
ME campaign and the fears of pos
possible attacks of fever have rid
the army in the field and on the
coast of non-combatants, with the
exception of few newspaper cor
respondents, who have been on
the ground since the American
warships appeared off Santiago,
and who constitute the only force
able TO report
THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR,
with the assistance of the dis
boat service
The second feet of transports ar
rived off Juragua this morning,
bearing $500 troops, including a
large detachment of artillery. If
the peace negotiations fail these
heavy guns will be a most valuable
addition to the artillery now in the
field. and il is expected that they
will be rushed forward to the front.
The new troops will be landed to-
morrow, and pushed forward as
rapidly as possible.
The days of temporary peace are
being utilized by both armies in
strengthening their defenses. The
Americans have strongly en-
trenehed themselves and the artil-
lery now at the front has been
placed in strong position behind
earthworks, and will be able TO
cover the advance of the troops
much more effectively than during
the previous engagement
Til feeling is strong among Off