They have no ideals,
because they defend the property of people who have deserted
them and those who are the allies of the American forces.
The honor of arms has its limit, and I appeal to the
judgment of the Government and of the entire nation whether
these patient troops have not repeatedly saved it since May
18th--date of first bombardment. If it is necessary that I
sacrifice them for reasons unknown to me, or if it is
necessary for some one to take responsibility for the issue
foreseen and announced by me in several telegrams, I
willingly offer myself as a sacrifice to my country, and I
will take charge of the command for the act of surrender, as
my modest reputation is of small value when the reputation
of the nation is at stake.
(Signed) LINARES.
Thus surrendered to our forces about 23,500 Spanish troops, of whom
about 11,000 had been in the garrison of Santiago, the others having
been stationed in garrisons outside of the city, but belonging to the
Division of Santiago. With them were also surrendered 100 cannon, 18
machine guns and over 25,000 rifles. The troops were all sent back to
Spain in vessels of their own nation and flying their own flag. We had
lost in battles with them before the surrender 23 officers killed and
237 men; and 100 officers and 1,332 men wounded.
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