The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-06
MILES-ALGER
CONTROVERSY.
Mr.. WheIpIey Insists That Miles Was
in Command at Santiago.
RECOGNIZED BY DEPARTMENT.
Miles Correspondence with Garcia
Shows that the Cuban General
Looked Upon Him as Being
in Command.

KANSAS CITY, no. Sept 5-Ihe star
this afternoon prints the following from
its special war correspondent. Mr.. w j.
whelpley touching on the Ager-Miles
controversy.
The statement made semi-otfcially
from Washington that Maior-General
Miles was not In command of the San
tiago expedition Mp 20 the time Il LETT
Tampa IS NOT borne out by the Official
records Of the War Department These
records prove that Miles not only con
Quoted the prelimin8ries with General
Garcia. but was then recognized b. tbs
War Department as general command
ing even General Skaters army.
DIRECTED SKATER.
The details of General Skaters actual
equipment and method OF movement were
naturally left TO Shaiter, but general
plan was devised by General Miles and
directions were issued 10 General Shat
ter By him which. after leaving Tampa.
the latter entirely ignored. General
Shafter left Tampa wiki the fun knowl-
edge that he was subject 20 orders from
General Miles. and up TO that time the
War Department recognized this state
OF affairs which IS provided for In tho
Federal statutes organizing the army OK
the United States
The above is shown. according 10 tho
Star, by three kilograms.
The nrst Of these kilograms Is from
General Miles TO General Garcia. and
follows.
SUGGESTIONS TO GARCIA.
Headquarters OF Army,
In the Field,
Tampa. Fla, June ?, lS's.
Lisutenant-General Garcia;
Dear General.-I am very glad 70 hav,
received your officers. General Enrique
Coloza and .ieutenant-Colonel Carlos
Hernandez. the latter OF whom returns
tonight with our best wishes for your
success.
IT would be a very great assistance II
YOU could have as large force as POSI-
Bile IN the vicinity OF the harDor or san
tia de cuba and communicate any lnior-
nation by signals which Colonel Herman
dez will explain 10 you. either 70 our navy
or 10 our army on IT'S arrival, which We
hone will be before many days.
''It would also assist us very much lt
Won could drive in and harrass any span.
ism troops near or I'm Santiago dc CUBA,
threatening or attacking them AZ an
points and preventing by every means
anv nossibie roinforcements coming 10
that garrison. while this is being done.
and before the arrival OF our army. TX
Won can seize and hold any commanding
nosition 10 the east or west Of Santiago.
az both that would be advantageous Tor
the use OF our artillery 1t VIII be ex-
coedingly gratifying 20 us. with great
respect and best wishes l remain very
respectfully, .,r,,--
Signed NELSON A MI
"Nfsior-General Commanding y. ,. A
RECOGNIZED BY GARCIA
The second dispatch Is Garcla's reply
showing the star asserts. an UNDER
standing with General Miles as 20 a pan
OF campaign i follows;
Mole ST Nicholas. June Q. 1898, VIA
Washington. =. C.-ro General Miles
Headouarters Of tho Army. Tampa. Fla
Garcia's reply on June 9th 10 your letter
OF June I'd. -. ...-,,
o,,. ,,our recommendation. but concen-
tration OF force will require some time.
Roads bad and Cubans scattered WIN
Cmvsfariou0 march without delay. san
tiago de cuba well fortified with advanced
enfrenchments but good artillery posi-
fion can be taken. Spanish force ap-
nroxinated 70 900 between Santiago dc
cuba and Guantanamo; 300 militia WIN
maintain "a Cuban force near Holsuin 20
prevent sending endorsements 70 san
tiago" $500,
The above given 10 me BY Admiral
Sampson 10 forward 20 you.
IIeutenant-COlonel
DEPARTMENT VIEWS
The third dispatch IS from the war
Department. az Washington, and reads
Washington. p. c. June Y. 1898 Major
General Niles. Tampa, Fla: The Following
extract OF telegram. Admiral Sampson
10 Secretary Of Navy. repeated Tor your
information: ,
"afole. ST. Nicholas. Hayti.-General
Miles letter received through coionel
Hernandez. on June 6th. Garcia regards
his wishes and suggestions as orders ana
Immediately will take measures 10 con-
centrate forces at the points Indicated
but he Is unable 10 do 50 as early as
desired on account Of his expedition 10
Banes Port. Cuba; but no VIII marcn
without delay. All % his subordinates
are ordered 10 assist 20 disembark The
United States troops and 20 pace them
selves under orders Santiago de CUBA
; we'll fortified. with advanced entrench-
rnents. but he believes position for ar
J tillerv can be taken as Niles desires.
| (approximate). 1900 regulars and 1900
/ militia between Santiago and Guam
tanamo. He has sent force IN order %
prevent aid going 70 Santiago from Hol-
euin. Repeats every assurances or good
( will and desire 20 second plans.-Samp-
/ SON"
, fsignedJ J. G. GILMORE.
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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