The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-30

G9neral Garcia to OBEY lnSCru0Gl0nS to
place themselves in any position where
they will have to fight and that If we in
tend to reduce Santiago, we will have to
depend alone upon our own troops and
that we will require twice the number
we now have.
| " Il sent message to Admiral Samp-
son asking If he proposed entering the
harbor, SO as to give us his assistance.
Commodore Watson replies that he does
since the destruction of the Spanish
squadron, but does not himself think the
| fleet should try to get into the harbor Of
Santiago. This, under the circumstances
is not very encouraging.
Have been expecting division from
Tampa and Duffield's second brigade
| from Camp Alger, but only small num-
ber of recruits have appeared SO far. II
we have to go to try and reduce the town,
now that the fleet is destroy ed. which was
| stated to be the chief object of the ex-
pedition. there must be no delay in get
ting large body of troops here
Z" The town is in terrible condition
as to food and people are starving, as
stated by foreign cOnsuls this morning,
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 fifth, and I suppose can put
them off a little longer to enable people
to get out, Country here is destitute OF
food or growing crops except manages
Men are in good spirits, though it is hard
to tell how long the latter will continue.
" I am sorry to say am no better and,
in addition to my weakness, cannot be
out on account of a slight attack of gout,
but hope to be better soon. Lieut.. Miley
had interview with consuls this morning
and his report will be telegraphed imme.
diately. do not send this in cypher as
time is precious. 80
(Signed)
y 'SHAFTER. Major General.
sit was this situation which deter
mined General Miles to go to Cuba, The
day he sailed with reinforcaments. July Z,
he sent the following despatch from
Washington:
I" 'Shafter, Santiago:
&c Take every precaution against sur
prise and be on the lookout that the
enemy does not turn your right flank and
come in on the line of your communica-
tions. Reinforcements are being sent
forward as rapidly as possible, but you
will have to he the judge of the position
you are to hold until reinforcements can
reach you.
8" MILES, Maj. Gen. Commanding
General Miles sailed for Cuba. On
July II at noon he reported his safe ar
rival to the War Department and at once
assumed charge, reporting to the Secre-
tary Of War. All of the subsequent bust
ness of the surrender was entirely in his
hands as shown by the fact that the War
Department communicated with him
direct, not even mentioning Shafter's
name in the numerous dispatches. The
following despatch is an excellent ex-
ample:
I" Washington, D. c., July IS, 1898.
" Major General Miles:-You may ac-
cept surrender by granting paroles to
officers and men, the officers retaining
after parole will be permitted to re turn to
Spain, the United States assisting. If
not accepted then assault, unless in your
Judgement an assault would fail. Consult
with Sampson and pursue s'Ich course as
to the assault as you jointly agree upon.
Matters should be settled promptly.
"!R. A. ALGER. Secretary of War;
This despatch recognized Miles as COM
mandsr and gave him authority to act.
Shafter was entirely ignored. In the face
of this situation, Secretary Alger,
through General Corbin sent despatch
to General Shafter assuring him that
General Miles did not come to Cuba to
supercede Shafter in any way. This de-
spatch General Miles refers to as secret
for he says he did not know it had been
sent, not being notified from Washington,
and General Shufter saying nothing
about it, After the surrender General
Miles still retained control. He author
lied Shaftsr to appoint peace commission
ers and Judging from Shaftsr's report
that all WAS over, he instructed him as to
the disposition of the troops.
"July l5, General Shafter wired GEN
eral Miles that the surrender was not as
complete as he thought and said:
"'Please do not go away with the rein
forcsments as may yet need Them
"Miles promptly replied by wire from
Baiouiri that the surrender is complete
and the Spaniards must surrender
"On July 16 General Shattsr wired
Miles that the surrender was finally COM
plets and General Miles through Adjutant
General Gilmore replied as follows:
ssThe commanding general is very
much grauifed to hear that the surrender
is complete. He directs that you tele-