Indianapolis Journal, Volume 48, Number 198, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 July 1898 — Page 1

—Part One--

D jfl L. V L K STA BL.Es! IE \\OL. XLVIII—NO. 198.

CHANGE OFFLAGS TODAY Spanish Colors Will Come Down and the Stars and Stripes Go Up at Santiago. General Toral Finally Accepts the American Terms of Surrender, and Will March His Army Out of the City This Morning. AGREEMENT OF THE COMMISSIONERS Question of Prisoners Keeping Their Arms Left to Washington Authorities, Who Promptly Decided the Soldiers Could Not Retain Their Rifles—About 24,000 Spaniards to Be Sent Home in a Week or Ten Days.

WASHINGTON, July 16.—The War Department this eveningposted the following dispatch from General Shafter, giving the terms of surrender of General Toral’s Spanish forces in eastern Cuba: “Headquarters, near Santiago, July 16.—The conditions of capitulation include all forces and war material in described territory. “The United States agrees, with as little delay as possible, to transport all Spanish troops in the district to the kingdom of Spain, the troops, as far as possible, to embark near the garrisons they now occupy. “Officers are to retain their side arms, and officers and men to re-tain-tbaig~peK>aal property. “Spanish commander is authorized to take the military archives belonging to the surrendered district. “All Spanish forces known as volunteers, moirillizadves and guerrillas, who wish to remain in Cuba, may do so under parole during the present war, giving up their arms. “Spanish forces are to march out of Santiago with the honors of war, depositing their arms at a point mutually agreed upon, to await the disposition of the United States government, it being understood the United States commissioners will recommend that the Spanish soldiers be returned to Spain with the arms they so bravely defended. This leaves the question of return of arms entirely in the hands of the government. “I invite attention to the fact that several* thousand surrendered, said by General Toral to be about 12,000, against whom a shot has not been fired. The number of troops in this district to be returned to Spain is about 24,000, according to General Toral. “W. R. SHAFTER, “Commander United States Volunteers.” Secretary Alger, Secretary Gage, General Brooke and General Corbin had a conference with the President late this afternoon over the dispatch from General Shafter. On leaving the White House at 4:30 o’clock they expressed themselves as highly gratified at the outcome of the Santiago campaign as well as the terms of surrender. It was eminently satisfactory, General Alger said, and it was a great relief to know that all had been accomplished on the terms which had been secured. Secretary Alger, in response to the direct question whether the Spaniards will be allowed to retain their arms, made this statement: “All men who

THE SUNDAY JOURNAL.

have arms will turn them over to this government. This is final.” SANTIAGO TO BE EVACUATED TO-DAY WASHINGTON, July 16, 9 p. m. —The following message, received by Adjutant General Corbin, has just been given out at the White House: “Camp near Santiago, July 16. The surrender has been definitely settled and the arms will be turned over to-morrow morning when the troops will be marched out as prisoners of war. The Spanish colors will be hauled down at 9 o’clock and the American flag hoisted. SHAFTER, “Major General.’’ SPANIARDS TO BE SENT HOME SOON WASHINGTON, July 16.—Unless present plans miscarry the Spanish soldiers surrendered at Santiago will sail from Cuba for Spain July 25. This date has been fixed by the War Department, and every effort will be made toward expediting their departure. It was announced to-night that the department had decided to ask for bids from steamship companies for the transportation of the prisoners to their native land, and proposals will be issued early next week. The contract, it is understood, will also include the subsistence of the men during the voyage. OLD GLORY WILL FLOAT TO-DAY. WASHINGTON, July 16.—The President was very much gratified to-night at the receipt of two additional telegrams from General Shafter, one of which announced that the American flag would be raised over Santiago to-morrow at 9 o’clock. Secretaries Alger, Bliss and Wilson, and Postmaster General Smith were at the White House during the evening. All shared in the satisfaction which the settlement at Santiago afforded. “THIS IS FINAL.” Secretary Alger Suys Spaniards Will Not Keep Their Arms. WASHINGTON. July 16.-The arms surrendered by the Spanish soldiers at Santiago to General Shafter will be kept by the United States government. This conclusion, reached late this afternoon by the President and Secretary Alger, was made public by the latter as he left his office after 6 o'clock to-night for his home. “All those who have arms will turn them over to this government. This is final.” These were the secretary’s words when asked for information on the subject. “And,” he added, In response to further inquiries and to clear any doubt that might exist on the subject, “the rifles will not be returned to Spain.” This decision has no doubt already been communicated to General Shafter. Up to the time when Secretary Alger's emphatic statement disposed of all doubt on the matter, It was thought in some quarters that consideration might be given to the appeal made by General Toral In behalf of his men that they be allowed to keep their arms. In fact, it was said by a high department official that the President would await the recommendations of the United States com-

INDIANAPOLIS, SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 17, 1898-SIXTEEN PAGES.

missioners to the surrender on this subject before disposing of the question, especially as General Shafter had telegraphed the department that it was understood that the United States commission would recommend that the Spanish soldiers return to Spain with the arms they so bravely defended. This decision of the President applies alike to those Spanish soldiers who have not been engaged with the United States troops, as well as to those who have been participants in the recent battles. Secretary Alger said this afternoon that no final decision had been reached regarding the question of the transportation to Spain of the Spanish prioners surrendered to General Shafter. The department is awaiting exact information as to the number of men to be carried over before inviting proposals for this work. A POOR TRANSLATOR. General Wheeler Responsible for Mach of the Misunderstanding. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. WASHINGTON, July 16.—T0 the infinite relief of the Washington government the surrender of Santiago has been consummated, though the President and war officials here are still in the dark as to some of the details. The main facts are palpably in evidence, however, and that is sufficient ground for satisfaction. When the President retired to his weary couch, at 2 o’clock this morning, it was an even chance that there would yet be a fight before Santiago capitulated, but the morning’s developments put a more peaceful complexion on affairs and further bloodshed was averted. The President’s final instructions to General Shafter put backbone into the situation. The commanding general was directed to demand prompt action and to peremptorily put a period to palaver. The commander-in-ehief in the White House brought matters to a sharp climax. There was nothing for General Toral to do but fight or throw up his hands. He did the latter. Considerable pardonable confusion is understood to have arisen over a misconstruction as to the terms of the surrender. Gen. Wheeler undertook the translation of Gen. Toral's propositions into English and Gen. Shafter’s conditions into Spanish. The result was about as bad a mix-up as the attempt to translate Bret Harte’s "Leaping Frog” into French and back again into English. The snarl will eventually be unraveled, but the War Department was perplexed for a while to-night trying to get at the true inwardness of the situation. If the matter under consideration were not so deadly serious General Wheeler's wellmeaning attempt to act as interpreter and translator would make an intensely funny story. The rapid movement of the war will not be interrupted by the culmination of the Santiago campaign. While the generals in the field are still engrossed with the settlement of the terms of the surrender, President McKinley is pushing ahead preparations for tho conquest of Porto Rico and the demonstration against Spain. General Brooke was in consultation with the secretary of war for a long time to-day arranging the details of the Porto Rican expedition. The latest plan of campaign is for him to have charge of the invasion, but this plan may be changed before a start Is made. The first idea was to give the command to General Coppinger. Then General Miles was to assume the direction of the expedition and now Brooke is the man. The situation may again change. The occupation of Porto Rico will probably occur within the next fortnight. Less peace talk is heard to-day. Absolute and unqualified denial is made in all high official quarters that any thing is being done by the two governments or any of their agents for peace. A great number of unauthorized people are still offering suggestions, but no step has been taken looking to negotiations in quarters where negotiating can be done to some purpose. The Spanish government for the first time is in a position to talk business, but nothing from Madrid is looked for in the immediate future. Conditions are ripening, however, and that is about all that can be said. IV hen the Spanish government is ready to act it can now do so without as great danger as heretofore of a revolution at home. The decree suspending civil rights empowers the government to put an iron hand on the throat of any man or set of men who may criticise or talk sedition. The decree is believed to have been aimed specifically at General Weyler and military agitators of his stripe, who have been conspicuously in the foreground threatening trouble. A mild interview from Weyler this morning shows that he understands the meaning of the decree, and that he Is not going to render himself liable to arrest and imprisonment for utterances distasteful to bagasta. Martial law is not necessarily a peace measure, though, and the administration is not relying much on the peace construction which is being given the decree by many. It may mean directly the other thing. ♦ TERMS SATISFACTORY. General Shatter's Dispatch, Hovrever, Dirt Not Give Sufficient Details. Associated Press Dispatch. WASHINGTON, July 16.—The fact that appeared at last satisfactorily established this evening, after another twenty-four hours’ active cable correspondence with General Shafter was that the Spanish army had surrendered. About that there could be no doubt, but unfortunately the details are still a good deal beclouded, as out In General Shafter’s last dispatch. It remains now for our government to decide whether it is willing that the Spanish soldiers shall carry off their arms, and while Secretary Alger says that the general terms of the agreement reached by Shafter are satisfactory, the government is not bound to deliver these arms, so much desired by our ordnance officers, just at this time. Os course the recommendations of the commissioners who signed the capitulations naturally would have great weight with the President and the secretary of war, but their present disposition is to insist on the retention of the arms, principally because of the difference in moral effect that would be produced by the return to Spain of armed and disarmed soldiers. It is realized here that the terms imposed by the commissioners as to the removal of the Spanish troops, now augmented to a formidable total, involve grave responsibilities for our government. Still, the staff corps of the War Department have risen so well to meet every emergency as it occurred that there can be no doubt of their ability to solve the large questions presented by the necessity of removing this army across the Atlantic. Fortunately Secretary Alger, in anticipation of heavy demands on the department in the matter of transportation has created anew bureau to take charge of that subject alone. This will be known as the bureau of transportation and will be directed by Colonel Hecker, who has, in the short time he has been at the War Department, proved his executive abilities. His chief assistant will be Colonel Bird, of the quartermaster’s department, which was formerly charged with all matters relating to transportation. The war board, Including Secretaries Long and Alger, and Admiral Stcard and Captain (CostiUßtd on Second Pagr)

SAN JCAN NEXT ATTENTION* NOW BEING GIVEN TO THE PORTO RICAN CAPITAL. Army and Navy Expected to Waste Little Time In Reducing the Fortifications nnd Taking the City. -- ♦ MILES WILL LEAD MILITARY WITH GEN. BROOKE TO AID IN CARRYING OCT THE DETAILS. Admiral Sampson to Use Some of His Iron-Clads In Bombarding the Forts in the Harbor. WATSON’S PROPOSED RAID PREPARATION'S FOR THE CRUISE TO THE COAST OF SPAIN. No Date Set for Departure of the Squadron, but It Is Expected to Leave Cuban Waters Soon. ■ ♦ WASHINGTON, July 16.—The appearance of General Brooke at the War Department to-day gave token of the purpose of the administration to begin immediately preparations for the dispatch of a military expedition against Porto Rico. The general made what is regarded on the whole as a satisfactory report as to the sanitary conditions existing at Camp Thomas and showed that the troops were in a condition now to leave for Porto Rico if called on. It is understood that two weeks’ time will he required to assemble the transports, get the troops and supplies aboard at one of the most available seaports, which in this case is likely to be Newport News, owing to the successful outcome of the last expedition from that port, and sail away for Porto Rico. It Is said that General Miles himself will command the Porto Rican expedition, aided by General Brooke. The latter probably will make all the arrangements necessary at Washington and at Chickamauga, as it is not the present intention of General Miles to return to Washington before leaving for Porto Rico, though, of course, there is always the possibility that he will be summoned here by the President for purposes of consultation. It is expected, that the campaign in Porto Rico will be short and decisive. The troops will be landed at a point near San Juan, with an ample supply of field artillery to force their way directly into tha rear of the town, whiie the fleet will dash into the harbor and make the attack in front. Discouraged as the Spaniards are by the surrender at Santiago, it is not expected .that the/ will offer protracted resistance. It may be that when General Brooke and soldiers leave Chickamauga Park their places will be taken by some of the troops now lying at Tampa. The conditions at the latter place are not satisfactory from a sanitary point of view, and the troops, if not removed to Chickamauga, will probably be taken to Fernandina and Charleston. Secretary Alger and General Brooke were In conference about an hour in the secretary’s private office. When the conference closed, General Brooke excused himself from all Interviewers. He left the building in company with several swarthy-faced gentlemen, said to be Porto Ricans, who carried many large rolls, maps, etc. The principal topic of discussion between Secretary Alger and General Brooke, it was learned later, was the sanitary condition of the camp at Chickamauga. General Brooke stated there were eighty cases of typhoid fever in the camp when he left. This is not regarded by the military surgeons as an exceptional number, as there are 50,000 soldiers in the camp, mostly green men. General Brooke was firmly of the opinion that the conditions were not such as to require any change in the camp, and believed that conditions at Chickamauga would Improve rather than deteriorate, as the men improved in their method of living as the sanitary conditions improved. Though Secretary Alger and General Brooke declined to make any statement regarding the Porto Rico expedition, in other quarters there are evidences that indicate activity in direction of preparation for a prompt forward movement. For instance, steps are being taken to ascertain and determine to the entire satisfaction of the War Department officials the most available points on the Atlantic and gulf coasts from which to embark large numbers of men. Major General Wilson, now at Charleston with a brigade of soldiers, has expressed the opinion that that place offers the best harbor facilities for embarkation between there and New Orleans. The depth of the water at low tide is slightly over twenty feet, while at Savannah it is about seventeen and at Fernandina, Fla., the captains of the vessels say they cannot get into the harbor. General Wilson has dispatched an officer to Newport News to look into the question of shipping facilities, harbor, camp grounds and water supply at that place, which seems to indicate that the department is considering the question of sending some troops there for embarkation. • Commander Brownson, of the auxiliary cruiser Yankee, was in conference with Secretary Long to-day, arranging for the trip of this ship with the large cargo of ammunition for Commodore Watson’s squadron in its attack on the coast of Spain. The Yankee is at Norfolk and will sail to-mor-row for Santiago. She will reach there about next Tuesday, and the big stock of ammunition will th‘en be placed aboard the battle ships and cruisers. This transference of powder and shells is a delicate operation, requiring time, and it is probable that the week will be well along before this and the recoaling of the Y’ankee will permit the squadron to actually get under way for Spain. . g Owing to the important mission of Commodore Watson’s squadron, and Its possibility of long absence from an American port, every magazine on the ships will be full when the ships sail. Admiral Sampson recently made requisition for the ammunition supplies, as these had run low as a result of the engagement with the Cervera squadron and the frequent shelling of Santiago. One load already has been taken down on a supply ship, and the Yankee now fills up the full quota. Each battle ship will have about 200 tons of powder, with fifty to seventy of the largest twelve-inch or thirteen-inch shells, according to the size of the big guns; seventy to eighty eight-

inch shells; 200 to 300 of shells for six pounds and other medium-sized guns, and 500 to 800 rounds for the small rapid-fire guns. The cruisers carry, approximately, the same allowance, without the shells for the twelve and thirteen-inch guns. Aside from this equipment of shells, the squadron is well provided with solid armor piercing steel shot. There has been no call for a renewal of the supply of the armor piercers, as Admiral Sampson's fleet seems to have used very few of them thus far, confining their work to the big explosive shells. The latter, although not made for armor piercing, are tested by the Navy Department to pass through four inches of solid steel, not exploding until through the steel. They have done such execution that Admiral Sampson has reserved almost his entire stock of armor piercers. The Navy Department will not set a time for the departure of Commodore Watson s squadron, but with the delivery of the Yankee's supply of ammunition very few days will be lost before this formidable squadron will be headed for Spain. —4 WANT TO TAKE PORTO RICO. Regulars at Santiago Anxions to Go with Miles to San Juan. NEW YORK, July 16.—A dispatch to the Tribune from Santiago de Cuba, via Port Antonio, Jamaica, sqys: “The var ous problems connected with the capture and taking possession of Santiago are rapidly being brought to solution. The evacuation of the city by the Spanish troops, who are now prisoners of war to be shipped back to Spain, will greatly simplify the situation. It is thought that the Cubans under General Calixto Garcia, who have done some good w'ork in the campaign, can be Intrusted with the general administration of affairs in the surrendered territory. They would, of course, at least for the present, act under the direction’ of a United States military governor, and would hold Santiago with a garrison of United States troops. These could be stationed on the hills above the city, where tho weather is tolerable even in midsummer, and where there is no danger of fever. These hills are the highest in Cuba, rising to an elevation of from 3,000 to 8,000 feet, while an elevation of 1,000 feet gives assured freedom from fever. Two or three regiments, it Js believed, would he ample for garrison purposes, and thus at least 12,000 seasoned men would be at once released for service in Porto Rico. “General Miles is anxious to remove the troops from Cuba as soon as possible, even if they have to be kept on the transport ships for a time before moving against Porto Rico, and is, therefore, eagerly awaiting the determination of the further campaign by the Washington government. There seems to be no doubt as to what he and the soldiers would like to do. The universal feeling is that Porto Rico should be the next objective, and that there should be no delay in going thither, so as to have actual possession of it before negotiations for peace begin. It is recalled that the climate of Porto Rico is far more favorable than that of any part of Cuba for a summer campaign. ‘T ravel and transpostation bid fair to be renewed here with a rush as soon as permission is given. Hosts of refugees want to return to Santiago from Jamaica and elsewhere, and a considerable fleet of ships and boats of all kinds is waiting to get into Santiago harbor with supplies, which are sorely needed. Some of the supplies will be welcomed by the American sailors and soldiers whose cheerful adoption of campaign rations has not destroyed their taste for more palatable food. The harbor of Santiago will be cleared of mines as speedily as possible and then utilized as a naval station and a harbor of refuge. It is admirably fitted to be a safe resort for American shipping in the hurricane season, which is now upon us.” WATSON’S SQUADRON. It May He Raiding the Coast of Spain Early Next Month. NEW YORK, July 16.—A special to the Tribune from Washington says: “The raiding squadron is expected to start for the coast, of Spain Saturday. The Navy Department understands that Commodore Watson has his ships coaled to the limit of their bunker capacity, and nothing should keep him another day at Guantanamo, He ought to pass the Mole St. Nicholas on Sunday and, according to schedule, a dispatch should be sent him through a dispatch boat off St. Thomas next Wednesday, announcing his actual departure from that vicinity upon the 2,500 mile stralghtaw-ay course for the Canaries, where his formidable, force should appear about Aug. 1 or a few days later, depending on the state of weather encountered In mid-Atlarttic and the maximum speed of his colliers, which must fix his ratio of progress. “After two days spent under the lee of one of tho unfortified Canary islands, replenishing the bunkers of his fighting ships with fuel, the final assault on Spain, scarcely two days’ distant, will be promptly made, and if the last Spanish naval resources, represented by Camara’s fleet, cannot be enticed from Carthagena to protect Cadiz, the American battle flag will be quickly displayed in the Mediterranean. “The fleet, as at present constituted, includes two of the best battle ships in the navy, the Oregon and the Massachusetts, the protected cruiser Newark, the auxiliaries Yankee, Dixie and Yosemite, with six colliers and a supply ship. The Oregon has become the flagship and the Yankee is now at Hampton Roads prepared to start with final orders on Sunday to meet the rest of the squadron July 20, off St. Thomas. The colliers carry 25,000 tons of the best coal, a sufficient quantity to steam the fleet all the wa,y to the Philippines and half way back, and the refrigerator ship Glacier has fresh food to last two months. “While the Newark is capable of a* nine-teen-knot speed for short distances and the Massachusetts and the Oregon each have records above sixteen knots; it is unlikely that the squadron will keep up an average of more than ten knots an hour across the ocean, although, unhampertd by their colliers after leaving the Canaries, a speed exceeding twelve knots will be constantly maintained. It would be the duty of the three auxiliaries to afford protection to the colliers and to the supply ships at all times, leaving the two battle ships and the Newark to undertake offensive operations. “The departure of Commodore Watson’s force will leave the lowa, the Indiana, the Brooklyn, the New' York, the Texas and the Puritan as the armored vessels under Admiral Sampson's direct command to hatter down the fortifications at Porto Rico, and the cruisers Columbia, Minneapolis, San Francisco, New Orleans, Detroit, Montgomery and Marblehead to shell a landing place for the disembarkation of the army of occupation under General Miles. A large number of gunboats and other auxiliary vessels will be available to convoy the transports of the Porto Rican expedition without impairing the efficiency of the Cuban blockade by withdrawing any of the various vessels now on that duty. The authorities at Washington are confident that an entire army corps will be landed in Porto Rico before the raiding squadron reaches the Canaries, and that the acquisition of the island will be completed almost simultaneously with Commodore Watson’s menace to the Spanish peninsula. That these two terrible blows, following so quickly upon the surrender of Santiago this week, and the occupation of Manila, which will probably occur next week, will compel Spain to sue for

Spain Has Decided on Peace. LONDON, July 17.—The Madrid correspondent of the Sunday Times says: “Despite official denials and preparations for a continuance of fighting 1 , I have the best authority for saying that peace is assured. It is beyond doubt that the main points have been agreed on with the Washington authorities. It is understood that Spain will evacuate Cuba, the Americans undertaking to transport the troops to Spain. Spain, through the Mexican minister, has represented to America that she is firmly decided on peace, at the same time explaining the difficulties arising from the opposition of the Cuban volunteers and Spain’s total exhaustion from her enormous losses. The political situation is most critical, owing to agitation in the principal towns.” CARLISTS CAUSING ANXIETY. MADRID, July 16.—Senor Sagasta declares that he is wholly without information from Santiago, owing to the interruption of cable communication between Spain and Cuba. * The movements of the Carlists are causing increasd anxiety. The organization of the adherents of the pretender is complete, and they have representatives in every town. The rural clergy, especially in the Basque province and in Navarre, Catalonia and Valencia, are powerful auxiliaries of Don Carlos, whose order would be sufficient to cause the simultaneous appearance of bands in various districts. The government has 200,000 troops in readiness for eventualities. Several of the newspapers of this city say the Spanish government opened peace negotiations today through the French ambassador at Washington, M. Cambon, with the government of the United States. It is said, in connection with the Spanish suggestion of leaving the question of the future government of Cuba to be decided by a plebiscite of its inhabitants, that Spain would unreservedly accept the decision given in such a case. BRITAIN WANTS TO MEDIATE. PARIS, July 16.—The correspondent of the Temps, at Madrid, says: “The British ambassador daily presses the government to accept the good offices of the English Cabinet, representing that it alone can obtain honorable conditions for Spain.” The correspondent says the ambassador points out that England will only ask a slight extension of Gibraltar or the little island of Tarifa as a fee. peace, hardly admits of the slightest doubt.” Alfccr Congratulated. WASHINGTON, July 16.—Secretary Alger has been receiving a number of congratulatory letters and telegrams called forth by the capture of Santiago. One of these is from a man who filled one of the leading commands in the federal army during the war of the rebellion, and who has never since lost interest in or failed to keep in touch with military affairs. This officer, in the course of some general observations upon the features of the campaign so far developed, says: ‘‘You have shown the world what American staff departments, under a head of great executive ability, can create in an emergency. It is difficult to create an army, equip it and move it, and it requires a peculiar kind of ability. You know in European armies, when they have undertaken to create as well as move, they have failed. They have required years of preparation, so that when they had war all the staff had to do was to move the army, a very easy matter.” Exhuufttintc Ten-Mile Tramp. CHARLESTON, S. C., July 16.—The three regiments camped here were ordered out today for a ten-mile tramp in heavy marching order. The day was an exceedingly hot one and the men suffered greatly. Before half of the journey was accomplished the ranks had been decimated by the men falling from exhaustion. Before they returned to camp some companies lost half of their men. Some of the men are seriously sick as a consequence of the march. Nineteen of them are in the City Hospital and several of these are thought to be in a critical condition. The trouble seems to be that the men have been kept on traveling rations for over a week. Before starting on their tramp they had breakfast, consisting of hard tack, coffee and canned tomatoes. There was not sufficient food to sustain them through the task set for them. Immune* Anxious for Service. WASHINGTON, July 16.—C01. James L, PetUt. commanding the Fourth Regiment of the United States Volunteer Infantry (lmmunes), called on Adjutant General Cor(Lont tuned on SecundTagei)

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PRICE FIVE CENTS.

UNDER A CEIBA * WHERE THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH SPANIARDS WERE CONDUCTED. . American Commissioners Refused to Enter Santiago and the Conferences Were Held Under a Tree. HITCH AT THE VERY OUTSET - ■ GENERAL TORAL MADE ANOTHER, ATTEMPT TjO SECURE DELAY. • He Insisted that Consent of Madrid Authorities Wns Ntcessnry, but General Shatter Stood Firm. ■ AGREEMENT FINALLY SIGNED ♦ BUT LATER REFERRED TO THIS SPANISH GOVERNMENT. Incidents of the Negotiations—Both Armies Still in Trenches—Letter front Linares to Shatter. ' ■■ -■ (Copyright, IS9B, by the Associated Press.) AT GENERAL WHEELERS HEADQUARTERS, before Santiago de Cuba, July 15, 10 a. m., via Kingston, Jamaica, July 16, 7:25 a. m.—The preliminary arrangement of the basis of tire capitulation of tli© Spanish forces in Santiugo de Cuba was agreed to and signed under a picturesque ceiba tree, between the lines, shortly after midnight. Our commissioners were Invited to enter the city by those representing General Toral, but the invitation was declined, and the conference was held under the spreading ceiba, just such a tree under which Columbus assisted In the celebration of mass at his first landing in Cuba, near Havana, At the very outset a hitch occurred owing to a misunderstanding of what was said at the personal interview between General Shatter and General Toral at noon. At that time our interpreter, translating the language of General Toral, had given Generals Shalter, Miles and Wheeler distinctly to understand that Captain General Blanco had consented that the commissioners should have plenary power to negotiate the terms of surrender, such terms as they agreed on to be binding on both parties. Something was said about a notification to the Madrid gove’ :nt, but General Shatter insisted tha f capitulation had been actually agr and that no further consent of the Ma government was required. i Wuen the commisslorers met, uhortly after 2 o’clock in the afterr oon, those in behalf of General Toral (General Escario, Lieutenant Colonel Fortan and Robert Mason, the British vice consul) combated ut once the idea that the capitulation had, in fact, actually taken place. The consent of Madrid, they insisted, was still necessary. But, at the same time, they claimed strongly that it would be forthcoming, as Captain General Blanco had authorized it, and the home government would do the same. Gen. Toral, who was personally present, and who, in fact, directed the negotiations on his own behalf, said he had never been overruled by the captain general. Still, he added, until Madrid had sanctioned it Santiago had not capitulated. All this was extremely unsatisfactory to our commissioners, who clung tenaciously to the understanding General Shatter had received earlier in the day. Finally, with the question of whether or not the Spanish forces had actually surrendered still open, the commissioners proceeded to consideration of the preliminaries. Captain Miley had drawn up thirteen articles of a general nature, and these were submitted to General Toral, personally. Ha made a strong appeal that the word “capitulation” be used instead of the harsher term, “surrender,” and that his army be allowed to march out, the officers with their side arms and the men with their small arms. He said the arms could afterwards be sent to Spain either on the same ships with the troops, or some other ships. Gen- Y eral Toral further remarked that he expected our commissioners, as* representatives of a brave and chivalrous people, would not seek to humiliate his army, or make it appear that he was vanquished. As brave men, his soldiers desired to go home with honor. They had simply yielded to superior force, and they would prefer dying to going home without their honor. Our commissioners could not resist this dppeal, but they said it lay t>eyond the terms laid down by our government, and they could only recommend the matter to Washington. At 4 o'clock General to the city to consult with General Linareo. General Toral and the Spanish commissioners returned at 6:30 saying they desired a still further change in the phrase of the articles and suggested a postponement of the negotiations until morning. This General Wheeler firmly declined. Thereupon a recess was taken until 9:30. The commissioners returned at that hour and the articles were again gone over in detail. Various changes of verbiage, which tended only to soften the sound or the terms without affecting the sense, were proposed by the Spaniards and our commissioners accepted practically all of them. Shortly after midnight General 'Wheeler suggested that the good faith of the Spanish commissioners be tested. All the articles were reread and each commissioner In turn was asked if they were satisfactory. When they replied in the affirmative General Wheeler asked them to affix their signatures. Tills they appeared reluctant to do, but tbeV could not well refuse. When all had signed the commissioners separated, to meet again at 9:30 in the morning. The present municipal authorities are to continue in control of the city until the Spanish troops are embarked. The Spanish troops from other points are to be embarked at the nearest points. Refugees are to return to their home3, but not until the sanction of Madrid is received, and the same applies t'o the removal of the obstruction* at the mouth of the harbor. Pending this, however. Miss Clara Barton and the Red Cross agents, with supplies, are to be allowed to enter the city over the line of the Juragua Railroad. The water which was cut is to be repaired to-day. No Cubans are to bo allowed to enter the city. All the artillery and batteries at the harbor entrance are to bo left Intact, and we are to obtain possession of the gunboat in the harbor. General Shafter said this morning, referring to the situation; “The Spaniard#