The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-18
GARCIA OBEYS ORDERS.
Regards General Miles as His Su-
perior Officer. J
OUR COMMANDER INTERVIEWED.

Tie Anticipates No Trouble In Land
ing General Siiafter's = Troops in Cuba,
and Says "rhey Have Gone There
to Fight"
Washington. June 18.-The return of
General Miles to Washington from
Tampa yesterday had an inspiring ef-
feet upon the war preparations. The
general had busy day, calling on
Secretary Alger. consulting the chiefs
of the staff departments and ef~fny The
departnl mt the benefit of his observa-
tions at Tampa. Secretary Alger said
that he was entirely satisfied with the
condition of the troops as reported by
General Miles, and wished that he had
the means to provide every one Of the
volunteer soldiers daily surf bath
such as was enjoyed by the men at
Tampa. General Miles Is yet TO have
conference with the president.
In the meantime the plans are NOV
ing forward steadily for sending fur
ther expeditions both to Porto Rico
and Cuba. There is little likelihood that
second expedition of 5000 men to re-
inforce General Shafter, at Santiago,
will leave within the next few days, as
has been reported. The necessity Of
sending these additional forces is ques-
toned by high military officials and
moreoveT. the means OF Transporting
such force are not available.
The main consideration just at pres
ent is The equipment OF an expedition
Of greater dimensions than any hero
tofore discussed, with Porto Rico as
the objective point month aso the
military authorities were satisfied that
small force would be sufficient to oc-
cupy Porto Rico, as the Spanish force
there did not exceed 5000 of Sgs0 men.
Now, however, tho Spanish garrisons
have been SO reinforced and the de-
fenses strengthened that it is believed
a much larger invading army will be
required. Moreover, the officials were
satisfied on learning yesterday that
the Cadiz fleet had sailed, that the
ships would go to Por,o Rico, rather
than to Cuba If they creased this side.
General Miles would speak only in the
most general way as to prospective
~i my IIt llt lii!il-
tary campaign is proceeding steadily
toward its complete execution. The
sending Of one expedition or another Is
but detail, single part, Of q general
plan of campaign. OF course 1t is more
or less right to say that troops are
about to be forwarded and that eX-
petitions will be equipped and sent.
That almost goes without saying, for
when we entered upon war an asgre5-
sive campaign was formulated and ap-
proved which contemplated the send
Ing of expeditions and their co-opera-
ton toward the successful prosecution
Of the war Just when these expcdi-
lions will move, and how many men
will accompany them, 1t Is not desirable
to gay now, but it is enough to state
hat the campaign now entered upon is
10 be prosecuted with the utmost vigor
until the end of the war.
THE troops at. Tampa are in very |
good health, both these who went for
ward with General Shafter and those |
stu remaining. The sick list is less |
han | per cent, which Is an exception |
lily good record. The spirit CT the men |
llso is Of the best, and this was shown
n a most marked manner when the |
transports started for Cha last Tues |
lay. They We're all anxious to go, ard |
here were wild scenes of enthusiasm
md cheering as the men marched !
lboard and the ships got under way.
Whenever a band played national air
very head was uncovered. The men
eemed to realize the Importance Of
heir enterprise, as well as the patriotic
responsibility 1t involved"
General Miles then referred to the
work. Of Lieutenants Rowan and Will
OK and Captain Dorst in commune
ating with the Cuban insurgents, high
y eXtolltnR the men. Referring TO
captain DOrst's last trip he said
THE special Importance of this trip
yas in opening up direct cominunica-
ion between General Garcia and my
elf. Two of Garcias staff officers had
eturned from Cuba with Rowan, and
anne to washington to see me. One
these I sent to Banes with the Supply
arms, with instructions to- General
arcia, saying l wanted him to move
II his forces to Santiago de Cuba He
ad by that time been fully equipped
y Captain Dorst. I got his reply by
able from Mole st. Nicholas on June
He replied that he would regard
~ wishes and suggestions as orders,
nd would Immediately adopt meas
res to concetrate his forces as ind-
ated. All his subordinateg were Or
ered to assist in the disembarking of
le United States troops, and to place
lemselves under orders. The energy
his course is shown by the reports
the last few days, fer l see that
eneral Rabbi and his men have taken
strong position just west of Santiago
Cuba"
General Miles does not apprehend any
ng or serious delay in disembarking
g troops on Cuban soil When asked
he expected an early fight he an
'erod laconcally, That's what
py'Ve zone for -