Santiago Campaign

Nsw York, Sept. 19.- The United States commissioners to conclude thE terms of peace with Spain sailed on board the Cunard line steamer Campania en route for Paris. The commjssion eonsists of ex-Secretary of State William R. Day, Senators William P. Frye, Cushman K. DaVïs, and George Gray, and Whitelaw Reid. Washington, Sept. 16. - General Shafter's report of the Santiago campaign has just been given out for publication. It is practically a personal defense of the charges which have been made against the general conduct of the campaign and the recommendations forpromotions. The report points out ' carefully and in detail all the difficulties that confronted Shafter from the time the army embarked at Tampa until the American colors were planted on San Juan hill. General Shafter says the expedition sailed June 14, and the disembarkation which commenced June 23, was successfully carried out, being aided by feints by the navy at points along the shore and a forcé of Cubans on land to mislead the enemy as to the point of disembarkation. Interview witli Garcia. Shafter refers to his enterview with the Cuban general, Garcia, and the arrangement by which the latter was to intercept the Spanish reinforcements under General Escaria, which arrangement Garcia yttcrly iailed to carry out. The difficulty of transportaron from the point of disembarkation to the scène of action outside Santiago is fully dealt with, the skirmishing previous to the general action is described and a detailed account of the fighting outside Santiago is given. He is generous in his praise of the bravery of his troops and subordínate efficers during the battle. In referring to the charge up San Juan hill General Shafter in his report says: "In this fierce encounter words fail to do justice to the gallant regimental commanders and the heroic men, for while the generáis indicated the formation and the points of attack, it was, after all, the intrepid bravery of officers and men that planted our colors on San Juan hill and drove the enemy from the trenches and blockhouses, thusgaining a position which sealed the fate of Santiago." Great Natural Obstacles. The most notable piece contained in the report, presumably in answer to those who have so freely critieised the handling of the campaign, comes under the heading ot' "Great Natural Obstacles." According to the general's report the sickly climate, the threatened outbreak of malaria and yellow fever and the rumor of Pando's approach with 8,000 reinforcements for the beleagúreá city precipitated the attaok while the preparations were far from being adequate or complete. The wretched condition of the roads around Santiago, the difficulty of transporting supplies, and the care of the sick and wounded form a goodly portion of the report. Tet General Shafter says there was no iack of transportation, and the troops on the firing line were at all times supplied with the "coarser components" of the rations. The suffering among the sick and wounded, he says, "was no greater than invariably accompanies a campaign." On the Firing Line. In General Shafter's opinión not more than 12,000 men were engaged on the firing line during the attack on Santiago and the storming of El Caney and San Juan hill. General Shafter is careful to point out that though his own health is impaired, he occupied a position duririg the engagements from which he had a general view of the battlefield, while he was enabled to transmit his orders . by means of staff cffieers, orderlies and the telephone. The following are recommended for promotion for bravery: Lieutenant Colonel E. J. McClernand. Lieutenant Colonel George McDerby, Lieutenant Colonel J. D. Miley, Major R. H. Noble, Lieuteant Colonel J. J. Astor, Lieutenant Colonel B. F. Pope, Major S. W. Groesbeck, Lieufenannt Charles F. Humphrey, Colonel B. F. Watson, Major C. G. Ltarr, Major Leon Roudiez, Major H. J. Gallagher, Captain Brice, Captain E. H. Plummer, Captain J. C. Gilmore, Jr., Captain W. H. McKittrick.