Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-30


have answered had this not been so. There
was no hint Of condolences
The Record Proof,
In this instance however no onest,on
of veraeity need arise. Gen. 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 {.
chly needs clearing away of inconsequent
matter to tell the story clearly and in full
The Star article says:
ihat Gen Miles was in command of the
entire army when IN Washington is of
course. evident That he did not resign
TINS supreme command when hr went TO
tampa, and that it was he who was treat
rS with the Cubans for cooperation in
Supa. is SHOWN by the numerous kilograms
exchanged with Gen. Garcia. The War
department recognized Miles as chief
When he was in Tampa, for June IL a teIp-
gram was sent to him from Washington
W hich begins:
.a,, The following extract of telegram from
repeated for your information etc
when General Shafter went to Cuba anil
1eneral Miles returned to Washington the
latter did not resign his control of the
situation, but, on the contrary kept in as
cIose tcucn as possible by wire with the
movements of Skaters command
Skaters Dispatches.
"on the Fourth Of July General Shafter
sent the following dispatches to Washing
ton' addressed to the adjutant general:
Headquarters 9Th Army Corps,
In Camp Near Santiago de Cuba, July 4.
There seems to be no reasonable doubt
but that General Pando succeeded in en-
tering Santiago last night with his force
said to be about 5000 men.
" This puts a different aspect upon af-
iairs, and while we can probably maintain
ourselves, it would be at the cost of very
&C luera bic lighting and loss
General Lawton reports that General
Garcia, who was to block entrance of
Pando, informed him at 10 o'clock last
night that Pando had passed in on Cobra
road. Lawton says cannot compel General
Garcia to obey my instructions to place
themselves in any position where they will
nave TO night, and that If we intend to re-
duce Santiago we will have to depend alone
upon our own troops and that we will re-
Qure twice the number We now have.
" L sent message to Admiral Sampson
asking If ne proposed entering the karbor
to give us his assistance. Commo-
dore Watson replies that he does not know
Admiral SIMPSONS intentions, since the de-
struction of the Spanish squadron, but
does not himself think the fleet should try
to go into the harbor of Santiago. This
under the circumstances, is not very en-
couraging.
Waiting for Troops.
Have been expecting a division from
Tampa and Duffield's ID Brigade from
Camp Alger, but only small number of
recruits have appeared so far. If We have
to go to try and reduce 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 large body
of troops here.
The town is in a terrible condition as
to food and people are starving, as stated
by foreign consulS this morning, but the
troops can fight. and have large quantity
r;s ,t.tt, OFT lies will ia
nothing done here until noon of the 9th,
and 1 suppose l can put them off a little
longer, to enable people to get out. Coun-
try here is destitute OF food or growing
crops, except mangoeS.
&" Men are in good spirits. though 1t is
hard to tell how long the latter will con-
tinue.
81 am sorry to say I am no better. and,
in addition to my weakness, cannot be out
on account of a slight attack of govt, but
hope to be better soon. Lieut.. Miley had
interview with consuls this morning, ana
his report will be telegraphed Immediately.
l do not send this in cipher, as time is pre-
cious
SKATER, Major General
Miles Warning.
"It was this situation which determined
General Miles to go to Cuba. The day he
sailed with achievements, July I, he sent
the following dispatch from Washington:
General Shafter, Santiago:
Take every precaution against surprise
and be on the lookout that the enemy does
not turn your right flank and come in on
the line of your communications. Rem
forcements are being sent forward as rap
idly as possible, but you will have to be
the Judge of the position you are to hold
until reinforcements can reach you:
MILES.
Major General, Commanding
General Miles sailed for Cuba. On July
II at noon he reported his safe arrival TO
the War Department, and at once assumed
charge, reporting to the Secretary of War.
All the subsequent business of the surren-
der was entirely in his hands. shown by
the fact that the War Department commu-
nicated with him direct, not even mention
ing General Skaters name in the numer-
Gus dispatches. The following dispatch is
an excellent example:
WASHINGTON, d. c., July Is. 1898.
:" Major General Miles:
You may accept surrender by granting
parole to officers and men. the officers re-
tanning. their side arms. The officers and
men after parole will be permitted to
turn to Spain, the United States assisting
If not accepted, then assault, unless in
your judgment ar assault would fail. Con-
suit with Sampson and pursue such course
as to the assault you Jointly agree upon.
Matters should be settled promptly.
r. A. ALGER, Secretary of War
Recognized Miles.
This dispatch recognized Miles as COM
iiioHoSi eliu save 10 dCl
Shafter was entirely ignored. In the face
of this situation Secretary Alger, through
General Corbin, sent dispatch to General
Shafter, assuring him that General Miles
did not come 10 Cuba to supersede Shafter
in any way. This dispatch General Miles
refers to as secret for he says, he did
not know it had been sent, not being noti-
fed from Washington, and General Shafter
saying nothing about it. After the surren-
der General Miles still retained control
He authorized Shafter to appoint peace
commissioners, and, judging from Skaters
report that all was over, he instructed him
as to the disposition of the troops
July 10 General Shafter wired General
Miles that the surrender was not as COM
plete as was thought, and said: Please DO
not go away with reinforcements, as 1
may need them
Miles promptly replied by wire from Bal
quiri that the surrender is COMPLETE and
the Spaniards must surrender
ION July 16 Shafter wired Miles that the
surrender was finally complete, and Gen
Miles replied through Adjt. Gen Gilmore
as follows:
he commanding general is very much
eratified to hear that the surrender is COM
plete. He directs that you telegraph any,
thfng OF Importance and the condition of
your command daily
s'Gen. Miles then reported the condition