The age-herald., 1898-08-27
INTERVIEW WITH
 GENERAL SKATER
Gives an Account of the Cam
 paign Around Santiago.
WAS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL
Took Steps Which Might Not Have Been Justified From Military Point View-Merits of Volunteers
 and Regulars.

New 40rk, August Zo.-A ulSpdlSh No NA-S Herald from Santiago says: Prior to em- barking on the steamer Mexico, MaJor- General Shafter consented to be inter- viewed. During the interview he discussed in general terms the campaign just enoeo' The bare prospect of returning to the United States caused him to be brighter, more cheerful and less harassed-looking than at any period since he embarked at Tampa.
 Critics and detractors were alike forgot ten, and with improved health and the evi- dent consciousness that whatever might be the eventual verdict of the operations be- fore Santiago, difficult campaign had been brought to successful conclusion, he spoke with greater ene.ssy and more vlgor than at any tune sn. V the equalization. General Shafter said:
 "I look upon the campaign just closed as successful one in the highest degree, not only in regard to the military operations, but more especially in regard to the great results achieved When we decided to att tack Santiago we looked for nothing more as the immediate fruit of victory than the capture of the city. What has been achieved is the equalization of the entire eastern part of the province from a line at Jibari to the south coast, together with the enemys forces, amounting to almost
 
 achievement of the campaign, bearing in mind the fierce opposition we encountered and the comparatively small loss of our own forces.
 From a military point of view, I per haps, took steps which might not be deemed justifable under other circum- stances but knew the temper and capa bilities of my soldiers and the moral of the gradually cooping of the enemy within his. own lines
 My engineers were very apprehensive that the Spanards might break through on my left and cut off Slboney. This, from purely military standpoint, might have been truthfully. correct, but. personally, I had not for a moment any fear on that score. The result I think proved the cor rectness of my conclusions.
 "Our primary object was to drive Cervera out, and next to take the town. We had gradually driven the Spaniards back on the highlands circling the city, and were slowly advancing day by day. The enemy began losing spirit as soon as our guns had been placed in a position to cover the town.
 When Cervera left, the situation was changed. The town was at my mercy, and, had I given the order for a direct as- sault, it would have been taken within four hours. believe that with the forces then at my command, reinforced as they had been, I was in a position to take the city by force.
 But if I had taken a step of such char acter what would have been the result? l estimate that our casualties would have been 5000 men and the action I took has had more brilliant result without so heavy a loss of valuable lives.
 ''The town itself is admirably situated for defense and the fight would have been long and bloody one. Every house is strongly constructed of stone and entirely different from the ordinary frame build ings. Every house was little fortress it. self. Had the Spaniards, forced by des- peration, fought the battle out in the streets our loss would have been enormous. But from the moment General Toral made a proposition for a conference I knew he was determined to give up, and acted &C., cordingly.
 Personal reflections have been cast upon me because was not on the fighting line. That was not the place for a general in command of an army It must be remem- bered that I was connected by telephone with the officers at the front, and was bet ter able to direct operations from the po- sition I had taken. Save for two days, when i'll, was in direct command of the campaign, which I consider unequaled in American history, for it was really the first time the United States had fought with its regular army. The civil war was war of volunteers, but this campaign was fought and won by our regular troops.
 'I did not notice the fact at first, but there were only three volunteer regiments engaged against the Spaniards. While the highest credit is to be given them, for they fought bravely, there was the moral sup port of the regulars back of 1t all.
 "Our volunteers lacked that unity, CO., hesion and individual support noticeable fin our trained troops, but at the same time no disparagement should be made of the vol unteer regiments in the campaign.
 ''The operations of the regulars in the campaign have proved exclusively their superiority over some organizations of state militia, in which the men are partially compelled to serve by sense of shame, but they do not show the enthusiasm of volunteers.
 '"rhere has been some question concern ing the transportation facilities of the army. The facilities were all there, and the transportation equipment provided was all it should have been, but our difficulties were enormous. There was only one road. To have built another would have taken two years. The nature of the country, the weather-all these things-helped to dis ,f1 rtv ant Thn of