THE SIEGE OF SANTIAGO.

Manawatu Herald, 16 July 1898, Page 2

THE SIEGE OF SANTIAGO.

General Shafter has stopped the bombardment of Santiago, and warned General Linares that the city is at the mercy of the American fleet and his army. The city is surrounded by the American forces, while 18,000 refugees are starving in Caney. General Linares has cabled to Madrid and obtained a truce pending bis reply. Most of the American siege guns have been placed in position around Santiago. General Mile?, the American Commander-in Chief, has ordered Siboney, on the outskirts of Santi ago, to be burned as a sanitary measure. Yellow fever has broken out nt Caimamera, on the shores of Guantanama Bay, 50 miles east of Santiago. The American authorities have the strickest quarantine. General Shafter had a long in terview with the Governor of Santiago, and vainly urged upon bim the utter futility of further resistance. The Governor finally told him if he wanted Santiago he had better take it. Torrents of rain is delaying tbe transport of heavy guns to the front. The trenches are also flooded, destroying the earthworks and breed ing the yellow fever. The Americans admit they have 100 cases on hand, The Washington authorities favour an immediate assault on Santiago, thus enabling the troops I to be withdrawn as early as possible.