The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-11
OFFER TO SURRENDER.

As Toral Wished to March Out With
the Honors of War, it Was Rejected.
copyrighted 1893 by Associated Prcss.)
On board the Associated Press dis
patch boat Wanda, off Juragua, Satur-
day, July 8, p. M, via Port Antonio.
Jamaica, Sunday, July 10, . Il. M, and
Kingston, jamaica, 1910 Il. m.-The
surrender of Santiago was formally of
fered by the Spanish commander, General
Toral, to-day but the conditions attach
ed caused Il prompt refusal of the offer
by General Shafter. The negotiations,
however, resulted in the extension of the
armistice until noon Sunday and white
flags of truce still float over the oppos-
ing armies.
General Torals proposal contemplated
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 condi-
tons We're accepted.
General Shafter replied that nothing
but unconditional surrender would be
considered by him. but he consented to
cable the Spanish offer to Washington,
in the meantime extending the armistice.
1t was shortly before noon to-day
when Il little group of Spanish officers,
under IL flag of truce, came out from
under the yellow wall of the beseged
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 Toral was carried to Gen
eral Skaters tent, two miles from the
Jelly courteous terms, characteristic of
such communications and was brief as
possible. 1t bore the signature of Gen
eral Joral. who commands at Santiago
since General Linares was wounded, and
stated that he was prepared to snrfen-
der the city provided his army would
be permitted to capitulate with honor.
This. he explained. meant that the Span
ish forces should be unmolested and go
in any direction they wished with arms
and flying their colors
The letter concluded with the bold
statement that surrender under any 9TH
er terms was an imposibility and would
not be considered.
General Shafter Immediately cabled
the facts to the Washington authorities,
and sent to General ToraI Il refusal of
his proposal, but added that he would
communicate with his government, and
would extend the informal armistice I'M
til Sunday at noon.
1t is deemed probable that the truce
may extend even beyond the time de-
signatcd. ms the offer of General Toral
to surrender on any terms is regarded as
an indication that the Spanish comman-
der has decided upon surrender upon the
best terms obtainable.
The general condition of the health of
the American troops is excellent, but the
wafer supply is poor and a number of
cases of malarial fever have developed.
No deaths have resulted at this time.
however. and in nearly all the instances,
the fever has been broken mp by liber-
al use of auinne The hardships of the
campaign and the fears of possible at
lacks of fever have rid the army in the
field and on the coast of practically non
cOmbatants. with the exception of few
newspaper correspondents, 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 assist
ance Of the dispatch boat service.
The second feet of transports arrived
off .Juragua this morning bearing $500
troops, including large detachment of
artillery. If the peace negotiations fail
these heavy guns will be Il valuable add
dition to the artillery now i'll the field,
and it is expected that they will be rush
ed forward to the front. The new troops
will be landed tomorrow and pushed
forward as rapidly as possible.
The days of temporary peace are be-
ing utilized by both armies in strength
ening their defences. The Americans
have strongly entrcnched themselves.
and the artillery now ut the front has
been placed in position behind earth
works: aud will be able to cover tn,
advance of the troops much more effec
lively than during the previous engage
ment.
The feeling is strong among officers
and men that Santiago will surrender
without further fighting.
The wounded in the hospital are being
well cared for and in almost every in
stance are recovering rapidly.