and proceed without molestation to Holguin is a great surprise and is not approved.  The responsibility for the destruction and distress to the inhabitants rests entirely with the Spanish commander.  The Secretary of War orders that when you are strong enough to destroy the enemy and take Santiago, you do it.  If you have not force enough, it will be despatched to you at the earliest moment possible.  Reinforcements are on the way of which you have already been apprised.  In the meantime, nothing is lost by holding the position you now have, and which you regard as impregnable.

     Acknowledge receipt.  By order of the Secretary of War. 
     (Signed) H.C.  CORBIN, Adjutant-General.

     Headquarters United States Forces,
     Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, July 11, 1898.

     To His Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief of the Spanish Forces,
     Santiago de Cuba.

Sir:—­With the largely increased forces which have come to me, and the fact that I have your line of retreat securely within my hands, the time seems fitting that I should again demand of your Excellency the surrender of Santiago and your Excellency’s army.  I am authorized to state that should your Excellency so desire, the Government of the United States will transport your entire command to Spain.  I have the honor to be,

     Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

     WILLIAM R. SHAFTER,
     Major-General, Commanding.

Reply.

     Army of the Island of Cuba, Fourth Corps,
     July 11, 1898.

     To His Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces of
     the United States, in the Camp of the San Juan.

Esteemed Sir:—­I have the honor to advise your Eminence that your communication of this date is received, and in reply desire to confirm that which I said in my former communication, and also to advise you that I have communicated your proposition to the General-in-Chief.  Reiterating my sentiments, I am,

     Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

     (Signed) JOSE TORAL,
     Commander-in-Chief of the Fourth Corps and Military Governor
     of Santiago.

     Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
     Camp near Santiago de Cuba, July 12, 1898.

     To His Excellency, Commander-in-Chief of Spanish Forces,
     Santiago de Cuba.

Sir:—­I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I have already ordered a suspension of hostilities, and I will repeat that order, granting in this manner a reasonable time within which you may receive an answer to the message sent to the Government of Spain, which time will end to-morrow at 12 o’clock noon.

I think it my duty to inform your Excellency that during this armistice I will not move any of my troops that occupy the advanced line, but the forces that arrived to-day and which are