The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-03

continue untl hostiIities cease. Very re-
spectfGiy, NELSON A. MILLS
major General Commanding.
The Conditions at the Time.
Without indicating what disposition was
made Of the suggestions coniained IN ,Ills
dispatch, Secretary Algsr gees on 10 briefly
explain the conditions which confronted
the American army at that moment lhe
secretary OF the navy was convinced tnsit
Ceryera was In Santiago harDGr, ana every
energy was bent TO concentrate military
force near Santiago TO aid in the desiruc-
ton Of the Spanish feet and The capture OK
the city
The great difficulty was the want OF
transports; the loading facilities at Port
Tampa were imperfect, and there was
great confusion caused by the large con-
centratson Of supplies there The railroad
facilities were inadequate; there was
failure 10 iabe! the cars, aud the postonice
coDgested so that bills OF ladsng were
delayed. Few OF the thirty-six transports
finally gathered there were mt Tor sucn
service bat they were the best that could
be had and while they were rated al Zs.po
passengers in capacity. even the lo.1n per-
sons transported Was larger number taan
should have been carried. Fortunately tney
arrived without serious accident, however.
Mile. Recommended Shafter.
The first duty for which Gen. Shafter
was selected viz: To make recoana.s-
ssnce in force about 1900 strong on the
south side OF Cuba Secretary Alger says,
YVES atanfJNsu Oh ASGNuLt VI the Iaost-
meutg of the enemys fleet
SAYS the secretary: Major Gen. Shafter
was selected to command the expedition 10
Santiago. The results prove the wisdom
OF the assignment.
Next in order the secretary quotes his
dispatch Of Nav 81. sent at 2:3o o'clock at
night. 10 Gen. Shafter at Tampa directing
Tim TO start for Santiago to land east or
west 81 that point in his own Judgment.
and move on 10 the high grounds in such
position as TO destroy the garrison there
and cover the navy as II sends Its men IN
small boats to remove torpedoes. or, with
the aid Of the navy. capture or destroy the
Spanish feet reported TO be In the harbor.
Gen. Shafter was To accomplish this with
tho leas; possible delay, making use of the
insurgents but being careful not 10 put too
much confidence IN any persons outside or
his own troops.
Causes OF Delay at Tampa.
The report states that May 30 Gen. Miles
left for Tampa to assist In the embarka-
ton Of troops June the secretary tele-
grapied sshafter at Tampa that Sampson
,iago harbor and urged immediate aid
from his troops. Sampson reported 1850
Spanish troops AZ the garrison of the vicin-
sty. The following day a dispatch was re-
ceiyed from Shaftcr at Tampa explaining
the delays In the ernbarkation of the troops
as not preyeniatle He tShafter) would
not delay a minute. but would not send
his troops away until they were prop
y,
pressed the presidents satisfaction at Gen.
Skaters accomplishments
Then follows the dispatch of June Of
Gen. Miles, already published In his report.
saying that the expedition had been de-
iayed through no fault OF any one con-
necied with II and continuing: This ex
pediilon Is so important that l desire 10
go with this army corps or 10 Immediately
organize another and go with 1t to join
this and capture position Ne. 2. Now that
the military is about 10 he used, / believe
II should be continued with every energy.
making the most judicious use OF 1t 10 ac-
complish the desired results"
a telegram from Sampson of the Eth,
forwarded by the secretary ITO Maj. Gen.
Shafter or Major Gen. Miles at Tampa.
declares that he has silenced the works at
Santiago. that II 90 men were there the
CITY and fleet could bc taken. that every
consideration demanded immediate army
movement. and IL delayed. the city would
be defended more strongly by guns taken
from the fleet, Following without eypiana-
tion Is this dispatch to Gen. Shafter at
Port Tampa. from Secretary Alger dated
the sth Since telegraphiEg you an hour
since. the president directs you to sail at
once with al force you have ready"
In reply. Shafter said he would sail the
next morning, which was "a early az steam
could be gotten up. This was y. IN. and
n 9:3+ n III. Miles at Tampa teiegraphed
directly In the president: From the COM
manitng officer down to the drummer bows
everyone ia impatient 10 go. and annoyed
At the delay The last Of the troops from
crickatnauaa arrived this morning and
nave been equipped and hurried 10 me
steamers Feel confident they VIII All do
their best 10 carry out the wishes and d.
rections 81 the president. Miles. Major
General Commanding"
The Scare over a Eictitiou. Flat
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