The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-13

The Note Believed to Have Fortified
TOraI in His Determination to Re
sist to the Inst Ditch-Object of
the Invasion VIII Have Been Ac-
cOmpIished in Destruction of SPAN
ish Fleet Even II City Is Found
Observation-Disclosures Ordered Re
moved From All American Const
Cities-Permission to Use Our Coal
at st. Thomas Refused.
Washington, July 12.-The impression
prevailed in official circles when public
business closed for the day that the flag
of truce, set in Spanish lines at Santiago
at ? o'clock yesterday afternoon, was still
flying and that negotiations continued
looking to a surrender.
The basis for these negotiation natu-
rally could not be very broad. in view of
the injunction the President laid upon
Gen Shafter to accept nothing less than
unconditional surrender; but it Is suppos-
ed that time may be consumed through
the indulgence of Gen. Shafter, in allow
ing the Spanish commander to commune
cate by cable with Capt. Gen. Blanco in
the effort to obtain his assent to the sur
render
Gen. Toral undoubtedly has before his
eyes the vindictive abuse heaped upon the
unfortunate naval commander, Cervera,
for surrenderiug at all, so that he prob
ably will be bound by the direction of
Capt. Gen. Bleneo In tF ewn Gaze. 1t is
not generally known that In response to
the manly and pathetic report by cable
to Capt Gen. Tlanco announcing the lces
of his squadron, Admiral Cervera receiv-
ed a most harsh and unsympathetic re-
ply, but such is the case.
Capt. Gen Blancos purpose In this way
have been to dissuade other Spanish com
manders, military and naval. from sur
rendering under any conditions, and in
the case of Gen. ToraI it appears that he
has made a strong impression.
Nevertheless confidence wakes In the
speedy fall of Santiago, though many Of
fcers fear that the nest will be found
empty and the birds flown when the
American troops make their entry in the
town. Still, should this be the case, it
may be fairly claimed that the prime OBJ
ject of the movement on Santiago, name
ly the destruction of the Spanish squad
ron having been achieved, the campaign
as a whole has been successful.
The most complete result or the cabinet
deliberations to-day was an order to re-
move the mines which guard all the
coast ports. This will be done by explod-
ing them Many military men were op-
posed to yielding to the pressure of the
commercial interest, and some of them
are predicting that not few of the COM
munltlcs, which have been so earnest in
their demand for the removal of the
mines. will be frantically clamoring for
protection at the very frst rumor of the
presence of a hostile gunboat or cruiser
off their coast.
The order of removal, It Is said, is to ap-
ply to localities where the interests of
commerce demand the same. In cases
where it is safe an effort will be made to
remove the mines instead of exploding
them. Wherever there is any doubt they
will be exploded.
The action of the sea in some Instances
causes the dynamite in the iron ellipsoidal
vessel to ooze through the screw-threads
where the plug Is inserted, and unless
the greatest care is taken the removal Of
the plug may cause an explosion. 1t will
he some days before the actual work of
removing or exploding the mines can be
put in operation, and the question as to
what the interests of commerce demand
will be left TO the discretion OF the engl-
Eeer officers having Jurisdiction over the
various districts of the United States. Or
ders for carrying into effect the decision Of
the cabinet viii be sent tQ them immedi-
ately. Great care win be exercised by
these officers. While the mines proper are
to be removed all the incidental attach
ments necessary to their installation ana
operation will be retained, such as the
casemates anchors. the cable connecf lions
and the ewltchboards, so that If IT is
found necessary to replace the mines 1t
may be done on the shortest notice.
Before war began our government ac-
cumulated a stock OF coal at st. Thomas,
West Indies Most Of it was ashore, but
1000 tons were on schooner lying in the
harbor. Twice since war broke out The
United States has availed itself Of this
coal, once TO supply the Minneapolis and
once the Montgomery, but as each was
bound for the nearest home port and took
only enough coal TO carry them there, 1t
was fairly assumed there had been no
breach Of neutrality. However. II appears
that there IS now a disposition exhibited
by the Danish authorities lto prevent the
United States ships from using this coal.
and as there Is no question of right to lay
down such a rule. the coal Itself prob