the ships fired at an elevation with the object of hitting the ships of our squadron, but failed to do so. I have not yet learned of the result of the battle on land. Captain Bustamente, of the navy, is seriously wounded. It is said that General Vara del Reye was killed, together with many other officers, and that many officers have also been wounded. Killed and wounded among the troops will reach a high figure. General Linares was also wounded. Day before yesterday squadron of the enemy captured steamer which was endeavoring to enter this port. A captive balloon was sent up from the camp of the enemy and inspected our advance positions and probably harbor also. July 2. The battles on land and sea were renewed this morning, the squadron of the enemy firing on the batteries of the fort, and our ships. The firing is spirited. At 8 o'clock the firing ceased. Our losses were three killed and three wounded—at the Reina Mercedes battery at Punta Gorda. Among the wounded are Ensign Peina and a sailor from the Mercedes. The Zocapa battery has been silenced. July 3.-Our squadron has left. It was met outside by a very sharp fire from the enemy's ships. It has apparently succeeded in running the blockade, going out of sight of land in a westerly direction. June 4.-One hundred and eight members of the crews of the Pluton, Terror and Infanta Maria Teresa have arrived here. Not a single officer among them. Nobody has any definite news of the Admiral. Military Governor has sent a cablegram for the General-in-Chief, instructing me to sink at the mouth of the harbor the Reina Mercedes. This will be done to-night. Enemy bombarded again to-day. Enemy apparently intends to force the port. I have confidence in the first line of electric torpedoes, but there are only four in the second line, the rest having been raised to enable our squadron to pass out. I have proposed to the Military Governor to sink the Reina Mercedes across the channel in eight fathoms of water. He is now consulting with the General-in-Chief. Reina Mercedes is without armament, crew or officers, her batteries having been sent to the mouth of the harbor. Her boilers are worthless. I consider our situation as grave. July 5.-There are twenty-four ships of the enemy in sight at dusk. Reina Mercedes was sunk at the mouth of the harbor by the guns of the enemy. July 10. At 9 o'clock this morning there were twenty-four ships of the enemy on blockading station, and an abundance of American troops on land. Rebels on every side of us also. Although the bombardment has ceased, it seems that there is a suspension of hostilities, but for what purpose I do not know. From half-past 4 to half-past 6 the firing between our troops and the enemy has been exceedingly lively. A few projectiles fell among the ships of the squadron and the land batteries. We drove the enemy from the first line of trenches. Our loss not heavy. Our men behaved with rare courage. If we had had an abundance of ammunition we would have inflicted a severe blow on the enemy. July 11.-Random firing between the advanced lines of both sides. Two ironclads at the mouth of the harbor, two in Baiquiri and fifteen at different points toward the east. From 9 to 2 the enemy's ships have been firing on the city, using projectiles of large caliber, but a majority of them fell short of their mark and exploded in the bay. Several buildings were damaged. July 12.-Situation the same, but firing has ceased for the sake of a parley. July 13. Both sides have agreed to cease firing till 12 o'clock to-morrow. July 16.-Suspension of hostilities continued, General Toral holding conferences with American General. I believe that the capitulation, in the event of that being the result of the conferences, will be on the basis of the repatriation of our men and those of the squadron and the Reina Mercedes. Number of people dying from hunger and the like is increasing. Military Governor has issued a decree against pillage, robbery and incendiarism. There are in Cuba to-day 50,000 Americans, sixty cannon, the squadron and the rebels. July 17. The city has capitulated, and over it and the Alvarado the American flag has been raised. Thus ends my authority, as well as that of my associates on this naval station. This diary is only remarkable because it was written day by day in Santiago and sent to Havana, and shows the shifting shades of the situation. We reproduce, according to their dates, the Spanish cipher cables that the Journal certifies are accurate and careful translations from the original Spanish copies of the cipher dispatches, as they were received or sent by Captain General Blanco: Admiral Cervera reports his arrival at Santiago: Captain-General Blanco, Havana: Santiago, May 19, 1898. Arrived to-day in this port, where the entire squadron, desirous of coöperating in defense of the country, has the pleasure of saluting you. CERVERA, Linares, at Santiago, reports Cervera's squadron: Captain-General Blanco, Havana: May 19, 1898. Cervera's squadron arrived here at 7 o'clock this morning, the Maria Teresa flying the flag of the Admiral. The Colon brings neither her forward nor stern guns, not having been able to mount them. The squadron is composed of the cruisers Teresa, Oquendo, Vizcaya and Colon, the torpedo boat destroyers Pluton and Furor, and two steamers of the Transatlantic Line. The Terror remained in Martinique, repairing the damages sustained on the voyage. The Alicante is with the Terror. They both need coal and provisions. By reason of the increase in consumption caused by the arrival of the squadron, the provisions of this place will only hold out until the end of June. LINARES. Blanco cables Cervera can't fight: General Correa, Minister of War, Madrid: Havana, May 20, 1898. Cervera's squadron has arrived at Santiago de Cuba, without the Terror, which remained at Martinique with the Alicante, both blockaded by the ships of the enemy. The squadron comes without provisions or coal, which it will take on there, but it will not be able to remain a long time, since it would expose itself to be blockaded, thus shutting itself off completely and limiting itself to the scant resources of the city If it had brought the Pelayo and the Carlos Quinto and a flotilla of torpedo boats, it would be able to attempt something important and to contribute powerfully to the defense of the island. Reduced as it is, however, it will be obliged to avoid a combat as much as possible, limiting itself to maneuvers which will not expose it to dangers, but which, on the other hand, cannot produce great results. The squadron has not brought with it any transport, either with coal or provisions, which would have been as advantageous for us as arms and ammunition. The question of |