The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-11
TORAL'S PROPOSITION.
Wanted to March Out of Santiago
with Flying COlOrs.


Copyright. 1885, by the Associated Press1
OFF JURAGUA, on board the Associated
Press dispatch boat Wanda, July 9, p. m,
via Port Antonio, Jamaica, July 10, a. m.
and Kingston, jamaica 10:40 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
noon Sunday, and white flags of truce were
floating over the opposing armies as the
Wanda sailed away.
General ToraFs 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 conditions were
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
little group Of Spanish officers under a
flag of truce came out from under the yell
low wall of the besieged city and slowly
made its way towards 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
General Skaters tent two miles from the
front. The letter was couched in the icily
courteous terms characteristic of such COM
munications and brief possible. 1t
bore the signature of General Toral, who
commands at Santiago since General Lii
mares 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 unmo-
Tested and go in any direction they wished
with arms and flying their colors The let
ter 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
ernment and would extend the informal
armistice until Sunday at noon.
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 near
ly all the instances the fever has been brok-
en- up by liberal use of quinine. The hard
ships of the campaign and the fears of pos
sibIe attacks of fever have rid the army
in the field and on the coast of noncombat-
ants with the exception of a few newspa-
per correspondents, who have been on the
ground since the American war ships ap-
peared off Santiago and who constitute the
force able to report the progress of the war
with the assistance of the dispatch boat
service.
The second fleet of transports arrived off
Juragua this morning bearing $500 troops,
including a large detachment of artillery.
These heavy guns will be a most valuable
addition to the artillery now in the field
and it is expected 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 defenses The Americans have strong
ly entrenched themselves, and the artillery
now at the front has been placed in strong
positions behind earthworks, and will be
able to cover the advance of the troops
much more effectively than during the prev
!ous engagement.
The wounded in the hospitals are being
we'll cared for and in almost every instance
are recovering rapidly.