Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-09-10
MILES ARRIVES HOME
Re Admits the Accuracy Of State
tnents Attributed to Him.
He Made Two REQUESTS to the War Depart
mont, Both Of which Were Ignored
Typewriter Iutsrview with
Himself Given out.

New York, Sept a-The United
States transport OLDHAM. having on
board Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles and
his staff. Maj Greenleaf, Capt Whit
ney, the Second regiment Wisconsin
volunteers. consisting Of 80 officers and
800 men, and the hospital corps from
Porto Rico, arrived here yesterday. Mrs.
Miles, son and daughter were also on
board the transport, which sailed from
Ponce on September 1. The surgeon
In charge reported all we'll and no
sickness or deaths during the voyage.
The troops were In the best OF spirits
The big transport was decorated pro-
fusely with palms and draped with
flags From the fore truck was flying
the American ensign over large
Spanish flag, while long strings Of in
ternational code flags were floating
from each masthead TO the rails. Gen.
Miles admitted to the Associated press
reporter, who interviewed him while
the OLDHAM was lying off Liberty Is
land, the substantial accuracy Of the
statement attributed to him by the
Kansas City Stars correspondent ut
Ponce. Porto Rico. He said!
There are q few minor inaccuracies In the
published reports, such rs usually occur In such
interviews do not care to point out the In
nccuracies referred TO at this time; they are
unimportant It is true that requested that
my troops In Porto Rico on their return home
should be allowed TO camp somewhere near
New York, preferably Brooklyn heights, Fort
Wadsworth or Governors island also re-
quested Of the war department that the troops
be allowed to march through New York city
I never intended TO parade myself. as shall
60 to Washington In o few days and would not
be here at the time Of the contemplated parade
I asked that the Wisconsin men aboard the
OLDHAM be permitted to stay in this vicinity for
, day or two TO give them chance TO zee tho
city. It would do no harm to let these western
boys get q glimpse OF New York. Surely they
merit IL Many Of them think have never
seen the city and perhaps will never have on
other chance TO see IL
To my first request, namely, that my troops
be permitted TO camp hereabouts In the neigh
borhood Of Brooklyn heights and that they be
allowed to parade. have received no reply
To my second request I received o reply at
quarantine this morning ordering the Wiscon-
sin boys home forthwith. The men will go
from the transports directly to the cars
/ shall stay In the city day or two to trans
act some business and will then proceed 10
Washington. Gen Wilson's division will
reach New York In q day or two They will
come on the transports Mississippi, Manitoba,
Alamo and Concho The last will carry Gen
Wilson and his headquarters
Gen. Miles gave to the representa-
tives of the press typewriter docu-
ment treating Of the prosecution OF
war with Spain. The paper was writ
ten In the form Of an interview with
the general In 1t the general Is rep
resented as recalling to mind that in
q public statement made ut the begin
ming of the war. referring to the talk
Of rush for the fever stricken city OF
Havana, he said;
No oflicer Is 1t to command troops who from
any motive whatever would necdlessly risk the
life OF single soldier. either from disease or
the bullets OF the enemy. have never sacri-
feed the lives OF men under my command and
do not propose TO subject them 10 any unneces-
sary risk In the present campaign.
Further along In the interview the
document given out yesterday says:
Owing to the fact that the season suited for
campaigning In Cuba had been exhausted In
debates and delay In congress, md In necessary
preparations Gen Miles was opposed
to rushing IN III prepared. undici-
plined and unequipped army In move
ment against the capital Of Cuba. defended
by 10000 trained Spanish troops, and In this
position he stood practically alone for several
| weeks Havana Matanzas, Santiago and q
few other points were drawn on his military
map as hotbeds Of disease. destructive to an
army. and places TO be avoided, especially dur
ing the sickly season.
Gen. Miles then states that he sub
mitted plan Of campaign and under
instructions from the president he was
directed to 60 wherever he deemed his
presence necessary. So he left for
Santiago and when he arrived there
he was responsible for what happened
and claims full credit for the victory.
The general then narrates his success
full operations in Porto Rico.