The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-02
SECOND COURT MARTIAL.
Generals ToraI and Pareja Being
TrIcd for SnrrcnderinG Smntln9O.

Generals ToraI and Pareja Being
Tried for Surrcndering santiago.
Madrid, August 1.-The second session
OF the court martial of Generals Toral
and Pareja. who are charged with surrend-
orlng Santiago de Cuba to the Americans
without having exhausted all means OF
defense. took place today.
General Pareia in his dispatch said
the garrison of the city Of Santiago de
Cuba lacked food, many of the soldiers
having died of hunger. Previously. how
ever. no added, tho troops fought bravely
and many officers and mon were killed.
In addition. the hospitals lacked medl-
clnes. The general read several tele-
grams exchanged between the authorities
at Washington and Major General Shafter,
the latter showing himself confident OF
forcing the surrender OF Santiago,
General Toral made similar defense.
He said Santiago was defenseess and
that it was Impossible to hold out longer.
He read a telegram sent him by Captain
General Blaneo. who after consulting with
the authorities at Madrid. approved of the
capltulation.
Another Spanish officer testified that
when he entered Santiago he found three
quarters Of the troops sick
General Rubi gave testimony to tho
effect that further resistance would have
been equivalent to the death OF the re-
mainder OF the troops,
Colonel Ordeniz testified that he was
blockaded and therefore did not take part
In the conference where IL was decided 10
surrender. But he said no believed all
means of resistance had been exhausted
though perhaps the capitulation might
nave been avoided by an attempt to break
through tho enemys lines. causing much
bloodshed. However, the spirit OF the
troops was weakened when they lost all
hope OF outside help. Lieutenant General
Pando. who vs. in charge OF the military
operations In Cuba. testified as to his re-
GREETING that the recomme ndations made
by him before leaving Santiago had not
been acted on; that Santiago hal not sur
ticient ammunition. He disapproved the
decisions OF the generals AT Havana, who.
he asserted. TO succeed should have rein
forced Santiago.
General Blanco. who succeeded General
Weyier as governor general OF Cuba, mar
rated events which transpired at the be-
ginning OF the war. He said he had never
advised tho equalization OF Santiago. but
favored strong resistance The govern
ment, he declared. had accepted the terms
OF the United States without discussion.
and when he telegraphed to General Toral
II was too late; Santiago. no added, had
far from an insufficient garrison.
The defense OF General Toral, now on
trial by court martial, accused OF surren-
derlng Santiago dc Cuba TO the Americans
without having exhausted all means of de-
Tense, Is that Santiago was not a fortified
town within the meaning OF the regua.
tons. which fact modified tho circum-
stances from the point OF view OF military
justice, General Toral contends that he
was not liable for tho responsibility laid
down In article 295 of the code. since he
was not governor and had not the chief
power. but was subject to orders. He
lacked In authority and was accordingly
not responsible.
General Toral points out that the min.
lister OF war. who on different occasions
had given him full liberty to capitulate
and that Governor General Blanco In COM
planning to the government kept silence
regarding what ho had previously said In
opposition to capitalization.
The defense argued that General Torai