The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-30
GENERAL MILES WAS
IN COMMAND IN CUBA
kilograms Show That He Assumed Santiago
In Spite of Secretary Alger's Secret Dispatch
Shafter - kilograms Case.

afternoon prints a three-column exclu-
| special war correspondent, who has
just returned from Porto Rico, bearing
| upon the Miles-Alger controversy. Mr.
Whelpley takes occasion to deny the
statement that his recently published
interview in Porto Rico with General
Miles. wherein the latter was quoted
as casting reflections upon the war de-
partment, was not genuine. and in sup
port of the statements already made
by it the Star prints interesting tele-
grams that passed between the war de-
partment and Generals Miles and Shaf-
ter on the points at issue.
Doubt is expressed by some," says
Mr.. Whelpley, ''as to whether General
Miles said these things / credit him
with. Others suggest he may have said
them in confidence, which was be-
trayed. / feel confident" continues
| the correspondent, General Miles will
| stand by the interview referred to. My
talk with him was not confidential. 1
| went to him as a newspaper reporter
| for the avowed and express purpose of
| securing an interview. There were no
reservations from publication in the
| conversation. This is proved by his re-
| fusal to answer some questions which
! he would have answered had this not
| been so. There was no hint of conf
| dence. In this instance. however. no
| question of veracity need arise. Gen
| eral Miles himself, even if he so de-
| sired, could not conceal the proof of
| all he said. 1t was written in the rec
| ords of the war department and II only
n1a ri Of
tial matter to tell the story clearly in
full"
Miles in Command.
The Star article says: THAT General
Miles was in command of the entire
army when in Washington was. of
course, evident. That he did not re-
sign this supreme command when he
went to Tampa and that IT was he who
was treating with the Cubans for CO.
operation in Cuba Is shown by numer-
Gus kilograms exchanged with General
Garcia. The war department recog
nized Miles as chief when he was in
Tampa, for June II telegram was sent
to him from Washington which be-
gins: The following extract of tele-
gram from Admiral Sampson to secre-
tary of navy is repeated for your in
formation etc. When General Shaf-
ter went to Cuba and General Miles re-
turned to Washington the latter did not
resign his control of the situation, but
on the contrary kept in as close touch
as possible by wire with the movements
of Skaters command.
ION the 4th of July Shafter sent the
following dispatches to Washington,
addressed to the adjutant general:
Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
in Camp near Santiago de Cuba, July
4.-There seems to be no reasonable
doubt but that General Pando sue
ceeded in entering Santiago last night
with his force. said to be about 5000
men. This puts a different aspect upon
affairs, and while we can probably
maintain ourselves, it would be at the
cost of very considerable fighting and |
loss.
" General Lawton reports that Cen
eral Garcia, who was to block the en- |
trance to Pando, informed him at 10 |
O'Clock last night that Pando had |
passed in on Sobra road. Lawton says |
he cannot compel General Garcia TO |
obey my instructions to place them |
selves in any position where they will |
have to fight and that If we intend to |
reduce Santiago we will have to depend |
alone upon our own troops. and that |
we will require twice the number we /
now have.
"I sent a message to Admiral Samp-
son asking If he proposed entering the /
harbor. so as to give us his assistance. |
Commodore Watson replied that he |
does not know Admiral Sampson's in
tentions since the destruction of the |
Spanish squadron. but does not him
self think the fleets had better try to go
into the harbor of Santiago. This. un-
der the circumstances, is not very en-
couraging.
Have been expecting a division
from Tampa and Duffield's second brig
ade from Camp Alger, but only a small
number OF recruits has appeared so far.
IF we have to go to try and reduce
the town now that the fleet is de-
stroyed, which was stated to be the
chief object of the expedition. there
must be no delay in getting large bodies
of troops here.
The town is in a terrible condition
as to food and the people are starving.
as stated by foreign consuls this morn
ing, but the troops can fight and have
large quantity of rice. but no other
supplies. There will be nothing done
here until noon of the 5th, and I sup
pose | can put them off a little longer
to enable the people to get out. The
country here is destitute of food or
growing crops except mangoes.
Men are in good spirits, though il
is hard to tell how long the latter will
Am sorry to say am no bet
ter and i'm addition to my weakness can
not wear boots on account Of the slight |
attack Of gOut. but hope to be better
soon. But Miles had an interview with
the consuls and his report will be tele-
graphed Immediately I do not send
this in cipher. as time is precious
Miles Orders to shafter.
1T was this situation which deter
mined General Miles to go to Cuba !
The day he sailed with reinforcements |
July :, he sent the following dispatch |
from Washington:
=" General Shafter. Santiago. Cuba:
Take every precaution against surprise
and be on the lookout that the enemy
does not turn your right flank and |
come in on the line of your communi-
cations. Reinforcements are being sent |
as rapidly as possible but you |
will have TO be the judge Of the position |
you are to hold until reinforcements
can reach you
General Miles sailed for Cuba. On Ju-