The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-03
GEN. SKATER TALKS.
The Milcs-Algcr Controvcrsy-ii lhefo
il Cause lie viii he in the fight.

The ~ Y. Heralds special coriespoH-
dent writes:
CAMP WlKOFF. MONTAUK POINT,
/. l.. Sept. I-General Shatter, when i
talked with him to-day, was sitlhs III
FRONT of his tent iu the detention camp
in a chair. to which the adjective commo-
di0us scarcely does justice. The CHAIR
had been provided b. the forethought OF
General Wheeler.
Az close view 1 could see that General
shafter himself had been one OF the SUI
ferers OF his victorious Cuban campaign.
lie reported % "a friend not lOng ago that
NE had lost fifty pounds. None who ever
saw MIN before would estimate his loss
at less than seyonty-hve. But withal he
is iu excellent hcaltn, though urea.
lie has always had habit or strength
ening his remarks by emphatic and gem
orally resOunding gestures The heat ana
misery and fighting at Santiago have not
stolen Il from him. His eyes fash as de-
tcrminedlv as ever and his fist hits what
ever happens to be nearest that can be
used 10 make q point more telling. lie
seemed 20 know what was coming when
/ asked for the privilege Of an interview
and smiled I'm anticipation.
General" J. said. "can you tell me
something about the trouble between
General Miles and Secretary Alger? You
have been made part OF IL, for, II is
said while the Secretary sent an ofott
to YOU in Santiago telling you you were
I'm supreme command. General Miles had
orders to take charge"
well" replied the General, "I really
am back IN ancient history yet ] scarce
lv know q thing about this matter or
trouble, you cali IL. 1 never heard much
about the whole affair until about two
hours ago. when the substance of it was
shown 90 me by a member of my stan
who gave me several newspapers
"My FIRST knowledge that anything was
said 10 be going wrong between General
Miles and Secretary AIscr was received
from an afternoon newspaper that was
brought TO mo ou board The ship yes-
torday. ! saw a paragraph that indi-
Gated there WIS some sort Of a contest
between the Acting Commanding General
OF the Army and Jhe Secretary OF War
and L was considerably surprised
"lt is quite natural that Z have not
had time TO look into the "details Of the
matter. Here I am I'm detention camp,
waiting for tho doctors 10 seq n 70 is wise
10 declare that 1 am not suspected OF
having brought germs from Cuba. $50
have no chance 20 do much, although
through General Wheeler IL has been
fixed so that 1 am able 20 communicate
with every part OF the camp.
Il have had mo- time 20 look over what
has been going ON and $50 ann not in a poe
sition 20 talk very much. / can say TINS
much. however. / intend 90 look mp the
facts carefully and thor0ughiy, 10 so
over tho whole case ass far as 1 am in-
.tcrcsted in it. and / SOC chat they have
put me iu o. to "a large extent / shall in-
form myself as well as possible and a5
quickly as possible on tne question nc
issue. Then / shall know just how TO
act"
"Wu YOU make q statement then l
asked with reference 10 the relations
between Yourself and General Miles at
Washington before you started for Cuba
and at Santiago and about General Ale
eer's orders t0 you and General Milest
"That is a question that / cannot very
well answer Tin get at the facts.
hardly think L shall get into tne c5nli'-
vorsv before the public. j am arm
believer ln tho principle that every man
should Doe allowed 90 90 his own fighting.
II mink I shall let those iu this case hsht
BE- out between themselves
"But" ANA here the General. after look
fnr around for something more suba,an-
ual to Diff. brought his fist vigorously on
one of his knees. "il it should happen
that there should come any fighting for
me To- DO on my own account i shall De
ON hand to so it in lively fashion and To-
finish. That IS an, 7 think. J. ought 70
saw 0n the subject. IN As au 1 am pre-
pared 20 say at any rdfe.'
General i asked 'lf ~ true lnAl
member Of your staff furnished TO q
member of General Miles staff copies OF
the dispatches chat were sent % you at
Santiago. in which you We're told that
YOU were not TO be superseded By Gen-
eral Miles,
THAT matter win be part OF my inves-
tieation i cannot say anything about it
uow.'