New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-30
rHE VICTORY AT SANTIAGO.
xrs AT TINE OF SURRENDER-HARD.
SHIPS AND PR1vATIONS SUI
FERED BY TROOPS.

49, the splendid victory OF Aonhirai SdihPso"
49,, .. rloriously supplemented by the success
- the Army General Shafter, attended by
~.,,ain McKittrick. represented the oesieglhg
1905: General Toral and number OF aids the
..,sr side. General Miles and Colonel Maus. or
-. staff. were there. but unoffcially General
~ ..,or General Lawton and Lieutenant Miley.
'. General Skaters staff were present as f.
,.,ss,on to settle certain OF the details OF
surrender. .u.. % ~. ror,h
"a southeast OF the city. many of the
..r,can troops could this group which
,hrs bringing to a close the siege OF San
80 That there should be general rejoicing
,a,ural: not only because the Fifth Army
corns had more than accomplished the object
:. g. invasion but that the worst hardships
:. NON and officers were to end No more days
-. :. snent In battle under the hot sun; no
..o-s nights in trench digging. but compare
.,,a,v nermanent camp. with certain comforts
Ia an assurance Of more and better food than
had been vouchsafed since 'he iaiu n'o'ehieh'
IN Santiago began.
POSITION OF BESIEGERS IMPROVED.
Ills source Of qualification TO the corps that
,a5 General Toral not voluntarily relinquished
.ha defence of the city he would have lost 1t by
,orce of arms within forty-eight hours of fight
ting and that too without much loss to the
Americans Steadily the position Of the beseg-
are had been improved. The investment of the
city had been more and more complete. Not
onIv had the lines been stretched further and
further around but they had been advanced
and set In better places.
The artillery had been put in most effective
stations SO that had the firing begun II would
have inflicted horrible damage. Many OF the
snantsh lines had been enfiladed so that they
could be swept clear in a short time. Nor was
all this labor In vain for the certainty Of vast
destruction Of his men and an early capitula-
ton undoubtedly led the spaniard to yield with
out firing another shot.
The removal Of the troops will put an end to
the fevers which have attacked all the regi-
rents In general these have not been due to
the site Of the camps. but to the labors of the
men and their prvations. The constant throw
ing UP Of new intrenchments has released
germs OF malaria from the EARTH
IMPROPER DIET AND HARD WORK
These have found many victims in men en-
feebled by labor in the sun and night air. and
by insufficient and improper diet. Properly
nourished strong men could withstand the in
fiction but many Of the soldiers no longer
IN that condition. A number Of these fever
patients had been removed to the medical hos
p,tal near General Skaters headquarters
thence some had been taken to Siboney. A few
developed yellow fever in the medical hospital
and one died. but now there has been a general
checking Of the spread Of malaria.
On account Of the lack Of ambuances many
fever cases could not be removed from the front;
they we're treated there and with success. AL
ready the effect Of ceasing the digging Of rifle
pits is discernble. An improvement is noted In
the men in the hospital. and week will doubt
less see the army around Santiago with no more
than the ordinary amount Of sickness.
Inadequate accommodations for medical cases
were unquestionably to blame for the difficulty
in efecting cures. The plight of the hospital
near the corps headquarters in a rainstorm was
deplorable. After the heavy storm Of Monday
night. which lasted most Of Tuesday. the region
was lake. All the patients were in shelter
tents. and few kept entirely dry. Those who
were strong enough to do so got up and stood
under trees. This kept them little dryer, and
was far safer than to remain lying.
MANY TOO WEAK TO ARISE
But large number were too weak to arise.
and the horrors Of the night may be imagined.
Major Champion, who was In charge waded in
water half way to his knees the next day. look
ing after the sick.
Even when the rain ended and the water sub
sided, troubles were far from over. The sun
was still overcast. and there remained no time
to dry blankets and clothing, so the next night
was spent in dampness. il hot in actual wet.
This fever camp, however, Is to be moved to
the hills Tents and supplies will be brought
md he he 80 he lie xr,tI1 haa
Some regiments have already enjoyed an i'm
proved commssary. Others are still in mis-
fortune The list New-Yor has had much to
endure the score Of food lately. In general,
officers and men have been getting a quarter
supply for several days For hungry men, liv-
Ing and working In the open air. o-fifth Of a
pound Of canned beef is a tiny amount of meat
for a days ration. Yet that is what the list
men received yesterday-a two-pound can for
Every ten men. Usually there is bareback. but
hot enough
sCANT RATIONs FOR MEN
pleasant variety has come in the shape Of
potatoes and onions. To-days ration for some
If the soldiers consisted Of five six pieces Of
hardtack, two potatoes and an onion. This
last named is good raw, but potatoes either
rolled or baked. are in themselves hardly salts
lying. II should he borne in mind that a ration
Includes three meals. or ought TO. Too often 1t
has been inadequate for one.
Good times are coming. however. Pack trains
Ire coming up now with provisions. Many OF
hese have been engaged supplying the six thou
and or seven thousand rations a day that have
been distributed among the refugees at Ell
caney. In day two these will return TO
Santiago. and the entire service will be at the
disposal OF the army Then. too. when the har-
'or is cleared OF mines ships can come in there.
Ind the transportation distance to the troops
will be shortened many miles.
Certainly the packers and drivers will rejoice
II having no longer to transport food and am
nunitiop between Siboney and the intrench-
nents The ambulance men bringing In the sick