The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-09-06
MILES -ALGER CONTROVERSY
MORE OFFICIAL VAR CORRES-
 PONDENCE MADE PUBLIC.

The Statement Made in Washington That Miles Was Not In Command of the Santiago Expedition Up to the Time It Left Tampa Is Not Borne Out by the Records-Miles' Telegram to Garcia.
 Kansas City, Mo-, Sept. 1.-The Star this afternoon prints the following from it's special war correspondent, MT. Whelpley, touching on the Alger- Miles controversy: "The statement made from Washington that Major General Miles was not in command of the San tiago expedition up to the time it left Tampa is not borne out by the official records of the war department. These records prove that Miles not only con- ducted the preliminaries with Garcia, but was then recognized by the war de- partment as general commanding even of General Shafters army. The details of General Shafter's actual equipment SAiN AAAShtioSt OA lllONtillGlll were ly left to Shafter, but general plan was devised by General Miles and di- rections were issued to General Shafter by him, which, after leaving Tampa, the latter entirely ignored. General Shafter left Tampa with the full knowl- edge that he was subject to the orders from General Miles and up to that time the war department recognized this state of affairs, which is provided for in the federal statutes, organizing the army of the United States
 The above is shown, according to the Star, by three telegrams. The first of these telegrams Is from General Miles to General Garcia and follows:
 Headuarters of the Army, in the Field,
 Tampa, Fla, June ?, 1S9S
 Lieutenant General Garcia, Cuban Army:
 Dear General; l am glad to have re- and Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Fernandez, the latter of whom returns tonight with our best wishes for your success. It would De very great assistance If you could have as large q force as possible In the vicinity Of the harbor of Santiago and communicate any information by signals which Colonel Fernandez will explain to you, either to our army on Its arrival, which we hope will be before many days. It would also assist us very much if you could drive in and har- rass any Spanish near or In Santiago de Cuba, threatening or attacking them al all points and preventing by every means any possible reinforcements coming to that gar rison While this is being done and before the arrival of our army, if you can seize and hold any commanding position to the would be advantageous for the use of our artillery, it will be exceedingly gratifying to us. With great respect and best wishes
 Varv
 (Signed Nelson A. Niles,
 Major General Commanding.
 The second dispatch is Garcias reply, showing, the Star asserts, an under standing with General Miles as to a plan of campaign. It follows:
 Mole, St. Nicholas, June 9. 1898. General Miles, Headquarters of the Army, Tampa, Fla:
 Ca Garcsa's 1,e,Iy repI,y on June s to your letter June 7: VIII take measures at once to carry out your recommendations. but con centration of force will require some time. Roads bad and Cubans scattered Will (mysteriousD march without delay. San tiago de Cuba well fortified with advanced intrenchments, But good artillery position can be taken. Spanish force approximate 12,0O0 between Santiago de Cuba and Guam tanamo, 5000 militia. Will maintain q Gu endorsements to Santiago. The above given to me by Admiral Sampson to forward (Signed) Allen, Lieutenant Colonel
 The third dispatch is from the war department at Washington and reads:
 Washington, June 12, 1898. Major General Miles, Tampa, Fla:
 The following extract of telegram Ad- miral Sampson to secretary of navy, repeat ed for your informa tion
 Mole, St. Nicholas, Hayti
 General Niles letter received through Col onel Hernandez on June 6. Garcia regards his wishes and suggestions as orders and Immediately will take measures to concen- trate forces at the points indca ted, but he Is unable to do so as early as desired on account of his expedition to Banesport, Cuba, but he will march without delay. All of his subordlnates are ordered to assist to dsembark the United States troops and to place themselves under orders. Santiago de Cupa we'll fortified with advanced en- trenchments, but he believes position for artillery can be taken, as Miles desires. Approximate 12,00O regulars and 5000 militia between Santiago and Guantanamo He has sent forces In order to prevent aid getting to Santiago. Repeats every aSsur- ance or good will and desire to second plans Sampson.
 (Sgned) Gilmore Assistant Adjutant General.
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