Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-18
SANTIAGO.

noon the American flag was formally
hoisted over the Governors palace in
the city of Santiago. A regiment OF
American infantry and squadron OF
cavalry represented the American
troops aud about ten thousand residents
of Santiago were present. The cere.
mony is described as dramatic one.
''The Star-Spangled Banner" and the
"Stars and Stripes Forever were play
ed by band, while from Cspron's bat
terry outside the city came g national
salute of twenty-one guns.
General McKibbin has been appoint
ed military governor of Santiago and
he at once assumed charge of the city.
Until be was made a brigadier.general
one week ago he was lieutenant-colonel
of the Twenty fourth Infantry.
The Spaniards yielded the point that
they should be allowed 10 retain their
arms and carry them back to Spain,
and all day yesterday the surrendered
troops turned in their arms to American
ordinance officers at designated ar
mories. The work was not completed,
but at the close of the day General
Shafter cabled to Washington that al
ready 1000 rifles and 600, 900 cartridges
had been turned in.
The War Department in Washington
posted the following bulletin at 5:15 p.
m. yesterday:
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July II.
Adjutant. General United States Army,
Washington, D. c.:
| have the honor to announce that
the American flag has been this instant,
u O'Clock noon, hoisted over the house
of the civil government in the city Of
Santiago.
An immense concourse of people
present. a squadron Of cavalry and q
regiment of infantry presenting arms
and band playing national airs. Light
battery fired salute twentY-one guns.
Perfect order is being maintained by
municipal government. Distress is very
great, but little sickness in town. Scarce.
ly any yellow fever.
a small gunboat and about two hun
dred seamen left by Cervera have sur
rendered TO me.
DISTINCTIONS are being removed from
mouth o. harbor.
Upon coming into the city I discov-
cred perfect ENHANCEMENT of defenses.
Fighting as the Spaniards did the first
day it would have cost 5000 lives to
have taken it,
Battalions of Spanish troops have
baen deposting arms since daylight in
armory, over which l have guard.
General Toral formally surrendered the
plaza and all stores at q. N.
W. R. SKATER, Major.General.
At II O'Clock last night Adjutant-
General Corbin made public this later
dispatch from General Shafter:
HEADQUARTERS U. S. A SANTIAGO
July Il.
Adjutant-General United States Army,
Washington
My ordnance officers report about ,00C
rifles turned in to-day aud 100000 car
tridges.
At the mouth of the harbor there are
quite number of fine modern guns,
about six-inch also two batteries OF
mountain guns, together with salut'
ing battery of Is old bronze guns.
Disarming and turning in will 60 on
tomorrow. List of prisoners not yet
taken.
SKATER, Maj.Gen. Commanding.
The surrender of General Toral was
authorized by the Madrid government.
The Spanish commander declared that
mis- surrender Thursday was a condi-
tional one, and he would not sign the
terms of capitulation until he had
cabled Madrid and received favorable
reply. The agreement left to the
American government the question
whether the arms would be returned,
but Secretary Alger stated that this
would not be done.
The War Department advertises for
proposals 10 transport the surren-
dered army from Santiago back to Ca.
dir or any other designated port iu
Spain as quickly as possible. The Off
GERS are to have first cabin accommo-
dations and the soldiers Storage quar-
tiers.
Surgeon Greenleai cabled the War
Department from Siboney, Cuba, that
sixteen new cases of fever have devel
oped among the American soldiers near
Santiago. One death has occurred
since his last report. The War Depart
ment has decided for the present to re-
move most OF the troops at Santiago to
the country in the rear of the city,
where the conditions are more favor
able for preventing the spread OF the
disease. General Miles is said to be
considering the ACCESSIBILITY of bringing
the army to the United States, leaving
only immune regiments to hold the
conquered province. The surgeons de-
clare the army will not be fit for active
duty for some time, owing to the hard
ships it has undergone. There have
been 600 cases of fever in all, most of
them of mild type.
At 8 o'clock yesterday morning the
Spanish flag was lowered from Moro
Castle and steam launches from the New
York, Brooklyn and Vixen entered the
harbor and examined the batteries, the
wrecks of the Merrimac and the sunken
Spanish cruiser Reina Mercedes, and
the torpedo firing station. Yesterday
afternoon the torpedoes were taken up
or exploded, after which the Red Cross
steamer State of Texas entered to give
assistance to the sick and wounded in
the city. The warships may not enter
the harbor for several days.
Santiago presents dismal sight.
Many OF the houses have been sacked
aud the stores have all been looted.
Sampson's last bombardment
wrecked ffty-seven houses in the city
heavy damage.
General Toral, the white haired COM