Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-03
SECRETARY ALGER REPORT.



Contfnued from Etrat rago.
Another DEPRESSION from the history
Of the Santiago campaign occurs about
this point, In the shape OF q letter from
Miles to the Secretary Of War, sug-
gesting that while waiting for trans
ports to 90 to Santiago the time was
opportune to take and occupy the Isle
Of Pines The reasons set out for this
suggestion are that the capture of the
island would cut the Spanish out of
base of supplies; that it could be easily
taken while the attention of the enemy
was distracted to other points and that
It was dramatically suited for the treat
ment of sick soldiers and for a deten-
ton place for prisoners OF war The
one steamer then at Tampa with some
artillery, would suffice for the expedi-
tion. The Secretary's reply was: II
have the honor to inform you that this
IS not approved by the President"
On July there was received by the
Secretary, Gen. Skaters message
dated Sevilla, July Sd, saying that he
had invested the town, but with very
thin line; that it was impossible to
carry 1t by storm with the present
force and he was seriously considering
withdrawing five miles SO as to get
near the railroad He describes the
present condition of the army with
Wheeler and Young sick, Hawkins
wounded, and himself confined to the
tent four days by the heat. He also
speaks of urging Sampson to an en-
trance, but the text of this telegram
has been published both in the report
of Gen. Shafter and Gen. Miles. The
Secretary's answer has not been. 1t,
with Skaters rejoinder, was as fol-
lows:
'eWar Department,
Washington July 3, 1910 P. M.
Major General Shafter, Playa del
Este
Your first despatch received. OF
course you can judge the situation bet
ter than we can at this end of the line.
II, however. you could hold your pres
ent position, especially San Juan
Heights, the effect upon the country
would be much better than falling
back. However, we leave all that mat
ter to you This is only suggestion
We shall send you achievements at
once. X. A. ALGER,
Secretary of War"
PLAYA del Este, via Haiti, (received
Washington July 4, las A. M
.To Honorable Secretary of War,
Washington:
Headquarters Fifth Corps, Third.
II shall hold my present position.
"SHAFTER,
major General.
July 3 Adjutant General Corbin tele-
graphed Shafter that he could have
whatever reinforcements he wanted,
and told of the starting from this coun-
try of 2,700 troops from Tampa, 5000
from Newport News and 1000 from
Charleston. The Secretary supple
mented this later in the day with the
following dispatch:
1--WE are forwarding achievements
to you this week. How is your health?
Do you think that some one should
come to relieve you? Are you going
to be able to stand through? What do
you think? Be very careful Of your
self. r. A. ALGER,
Secretary Of War"
In dispatch of the Sc, he date to
Ehafter, Secretary AlgeY directs him
to intercept all press dispatches and
make report to him,lat the cgase OF
Eh day of events of special import
A dis dated camp near
- Shafter to the
If War, conveys the first
the attempted escape of the
b fleet. Lieut. Allen had re-
that Cervera had started out
ten o'clock that morning; Duff
had telephoned from Siboney that
Epson had signalled for the chase,
IA the French consul had informed
Gen. Garcia that Cervera was going
out at about 10 o'clock, having told
the consul that it was better to die
fighting than to blow up his ships in
the harbor.
On the same day Shafter reports
that he had demanded the surrender
of Santiago under threat of lombard
ment, but up to 4:30 had received no
answer. He says: situation has been
precarious on account of difficulties
of supplying command with food and
tremendous fighting capability shown
by the enemy from his almost impreg-
nable position" The next day he says
that he is physically exhausted STILL
but had eaten a little for the first time
in four days. Shafter transmits cop
les of his demand for the surrender
of Santiago, and the reply, a refusal,
of date July g., and then shows that
he postponed the bombardment until
noon Of the 9Th, in order to allow the
foreign consuls to remove their people
to Ell Caney. He explains to the Sec
rotary the great suffering that will
result and he submits the matter to
the President. The consuls had told
Dorst that there were not to exceed
5000 troops in Santiago, and that
6hafter could starve them out, letting
Ea