The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-09-02

hdnSdS lily, MO-, august ~ Inc
Star this afternoon prints a three coll
umn exclusive dispatch from Mr.. J.. D.
Whelpley, its special co respondent
who has just returned from Porto
Rico, bearing upon the Miles-Alger
controversy.
Mr.. Whelpfey takes occasion to de-
ny the statement that his recently
published interview in Porto Rico
with General Miles, where the latter
was quoted as casting reflections upon
the war department, was not genuine,
and in support of the statements al
ready made by it, The Star prints in
teresting kilograms that passed be-
tween the war department and Cen
erals Miles and Shafter on the points
at issue.
Doubt is expressed by some" says
Mr.. Whelpley, "as to whether General
Miles ever said these things | credit
him with. Others suggest he may
have said them in confidence, which
was betrayed"
Il feel confident" continues the cor
respondent, that General Miles will
stand by the interview referred to.
My talk with him was not confidential.
l went to him as a newspaper reporter,
for the aVoWed and express purpose of
securing an interview. There was no
reservations from publication in the
conversation. This is proved by his
refusal to answer some questions
which he would have answered had
this not been so. There was no hint
OF condolences.
In this instance, however, no ques-
ton of yeraCity need arise. General
Miles himself, even if he so desired,
could not conceal the proof of all he
said. 1t is written in the records Of
the war department and it only needs
a clearing way of incOnsequent matter
to tell the story clearly and in full"
The Stars article says: THAT Gen
eraI Miles was in command of the en-
tire army when in Washington is 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 the
numerous kilograms exchanged with
General Garcia. The war department
recognized Miles as chief when he was
in Tampa, for June 18th a telegram
was sent to him from Washington
which begins:
Following extract Of telegram from
Admiral Sampson to secretary OF the
navy, is repeated for your informa-
ton etc.
When General Shafter went to Cuba
and General Miles returned TO Wash
ngt0n the latter did not resign his
control of the situation. rOn the con-
trary. kept in as close touch as possible
by wire with the movements Of Shat
ter's command. ...sr .r..
ON July 4th General Shaftef sent
the following dispatches, to Washing
ton, addressed to the adjutant general:
"'H~eadduarters Fifth army corps,
in camp neal Santiago de Cuba, July
4. There seems to be no reasonable
doubt but that General Pando succeed
ed in entering Santiago last night
with his force, said to be about 5,oOO
men. This puts a different aspect
upon affairs and while we can probably
maintain ourselves, it would be at the
cost Oh very COnSlueld Qlc ASuILuSa dAU
loss. General LawtOn reports that
General Garcia, who was to block the
entrance at Pando, informed him at
10 o'clock last night that Pando had
passed in on the Cobra road. Lawton
says he cannot compel General Garcia
to obey my instructions to place them
selves in any position where they Will
have to light and that if we intend to
-l..o Co-+;or~ x-1 win IA We tn do
pend alone upon u own troops and
that will require twice the number We
10Y have. s.5
II sent a message to Admiral Samp-
son, asking if he proposed entering
the harbor so as to give us his assist
auce. Commodore Watson replies
that he does not know Admiral Samp-
sons intentions since the DESTRUCTION
of the Spanish squadron, but does not
himself think the fleet should. try &c
go into the harbor of Santiago. This,
under the circumstances, is not very
encouraging.
Il have been expecting a division
from Tampa aud Duffield's. second bri-
gade from Camp Alger, but only a
small number of recruits has appeared
so far. If we have to go to try and re-
duce the town, now that the fleet Is
destroyed. which was stated TO be the
chief object of the expedition, there
must be no delay in getting a large
body of. troops here, The town is in
a terrible condition as to food, and
people are starving, as stated by for
eign consuls this morning, but the
troops can fight and have alargf
quantity Of rice, but no other supplies
There will be nothing doneshere unit
noon of the 5th and l suppose car
put them Off a little longer to enable
people to get out. Country here i;
destitute of food or growing crops ex'
cept mangoes.
"'Men are in good spirits, though il
&c berd RI foil how long the latter will