Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1898-08-26

to build up some soldier and sailor
regulations during the late var
and have tried to tear down the repu-
tatlons Of other soldiers aud sailors.
No one has any objections to the first
act, but honest citizens strenuously
object TO the latter. To this set OF
newspaper critics General Miles has
ever been an object Of attack. Before
the troops left Tampa every move of
the general was chronicled and criti.
cised. II he appeared in uniform fun
was made OF It's gorgeousness, and II
he appeared IN citizens clothes at
tempts were made to ridlcule them.
They printed columns about his
travelling In a special car, and even
went so far as to comment on his rep.
rehensib,e habit OF taking a daily
bath. When he went to Cuba they
were very much afraid that he would
attempt to claim the laurels which
they said belonged to Gen. Shafter,
his subordinate. 1t Is probable that
Miles saw nothing there in the way OF
laurels adjoining the head OF the ma
jor general In charge which he would
care to appropriate. When General
Miles was ordered TO Porto Rico he
did not get away as quickly as the
associated press board OF strategy
thought he should. He insisted on
waiting until he got all his vessels
loaded with men and all the ACQUIRE
ments that he thought would be need
cd, and fierce were the criticisms Of
the s~trategists. Now that he has been
on the island for some time IL will be
noticed that nc complaints are coming
from the soldiers under his charge.
They have not lIecn short on ratiuns,
on medical supplies, on entrenching
tools, ncr on anything needed IN their
business Or for their care or comfort.
1t is true That he did not meet the re-
sistance that confronted General
Shafter, but he went there prepared
for any resistance that might be
offered, and the care and foresight
that he exercised before he sailed, and
the ability he exercisee 10 caring for
things after he landed show he under
stands his Business. There is a great
difference between the raw recruit,
the first time under fire, aud the
seasoned regular, no matter now good
a man either of them is naturally.
There is also a great difference be-
tween a commanding officer who for
the past thirty years has spent most
NJ his time 10 command OF a three or
four company pust, with nothing more
to do than to look after the wants of a
couple OF hundred men and man who
has for twelve or fifteen years been a
general, looking after the wants and
needs Of thousands Of soldiers dis
tributcd owe q vas department.
One may have executive ability, but
it soon becomes dwarfed. The execu.
tive ability OF the other becomes vast
ly expanded by constant use. No
newspaper, even II it has a thousand
correspondents distributed over the
battle fields OF Cuba and Porto Rico,
can lessen the admiration that the
people Of New Mexico and Arizona
have for General Miles. They will
never forget the time he took the
field, when other generals had failed,
and run Geronimo and his murderous
band to earth. They know that the
military ability he exhibited then will
be put to good use wherever he may
be, and they have perfect confidence
in him, aud are prepared to assert
that whatever he may do is wise and
the right thing to do under the cir
cumstances, even il they do not know
what the circumstances are. In other
words: General Miles is all right.
In describing the landing Of the
Rough Riders at Montauk Point the
New York Sun prints the following:
"A little dapper man led troop +.
which came out next. His rather
worn-Out clothes were carefully
brushed and he had much the appear
luce OF the dandy. He carried a.
machete at his side and saluted with
infinite grace as he passed the little
knot Of officers at the head Of the pier.
lie vas Capt. Macmillan Luna, who
has the reputation of being one OF the
iercest lighters 10 the regiment. His
men tell stories OF Capt. Luna that
make a mans eyes open pretty wide,
and the best part OF 1t is that they are
all true. AS the troop marched by
there "a a chorus OF "Hello, SEN
netp from the rough riders In the
crowd, aud a little man turned around
to a his hand TO those who greeted
him. He was Private Sonnet who,
vas left behind Ia Tampa when the
rough riders sailed away. But one
night he skipped out, struggled him
self on a transport, aud shovel up a
few morning later In the rough riders
camp at Santiago. Sonnet has earned
hfo nordon FOR daearftnu r,o.. 49,.