The herald., 1898-09-08
The GENERAL TALKS VERY FREELY
CONCERNING HIMSELF AND CAMPAIGNS IN CUBA
AND PORTO RICO
Carefully Prepared Typewriter Statement Given the
Press Distinctly Asserting That Cen Miles Went
to Santiago de Cuba as Commander,
Not as Visitor

| I have never sacrificed the lives Of mer
under my command, and do not propose t
subject them to amy unnecessary risk !pthx
present campaign
"In the order issued to the army at N
early day he directed that every officer
Of whatever grade. will, 20 tar as may bt
In his power, guard and preserve the health
and welfare Of those under his charge. HI
must labor diligently and jealousy to per.
feet himself and his subordnates in mill.
tary drill. instruction and discipline, and
| above all, he must constantly endeavor
by precept and example. to maintain ths
highest character, To foster and stimulate
that true soldierly spirit and patriotic de-
votion to duty which must character11e an
effective army
THE principles thus enunciated have
been sealousy observednfr from the hrst Ow-
ing to the fact that the season suited for
campaigning In Cuba had been exhausted
in debates and delay In congress and In
necessary preparations. Gen. Miles was
| opposed to rushing an ill-prepared, undis.
ciplined and unequipped army in q move
ment against the capital Of Cuba. defend
ed by 100000 trained Spanish troops, and In
| this position he stood practically alone for
several weeks. Havana. Matanzas. santi-
ago and a few other points were drawn on
his military map as hotbeds Of disease de-
structive 10 an army, and as places to be
avoided, especially during the sickly sea-
son.
Miles Campaign Plan
when finally called upon to submit a
plan Of campaign. he did so and put 1t In
writing. In substance. he took the stand,
flrst. that every effort should be made ID
equip tho CubanS and thereby enable then,
to hAfENsS the arnueah forces. TIE CRY OF
on to Havana! should BE encouraged, but
when. the transports. loaded with troopsi
were out Of sight of land. they should sad.
as. straight aS steam power could bear them
to The gate Of the Antilles and the key Of the
whole posEtion-Porto Rico. Then, having
seized and occupied that island, move.
nient TO Cuba was to follow by means Of
a strong cavalry force, which was TO be
organized and equipped by August or Sep
tember. He contemplated that 20 900 caval-
~ thrown to the center Of Cuba, cutting
the Spanish forces in two and moving wes t
to Havana, by the time the rainy season
was over, It would be possible to ma aneuve-
an army; we could move against that city
a wedl-orgaMzed, .well-equapped and we'll
disciplined army and complete the capture
Of the Spanish forces. The enclosure of
Cervera's fleet In the harbor OF Sa antago
changed the conditions ard made 1t neces-
sary to move military force to that point
Gen. Miles, while at Tampa organising
the expedition, felt the importance of the
enterprise so greatly that he requested
PERMISSION to accompany that expedition
or to join another 10 join it. This permfs-
sion was not granted, so far as accompan-
yng that expedition was concerned. but
authority was granted to equip. a second
for movement and operation against the
enemy in Cuba and Porto Rico. However,
before this expedition was equipped, calls
we're made for additional forces to 20 to
Santiago. and they were Immediately for
warded.
Word From Shafter
ION the Sd day of July Gen. shafter tele-
grap phed that his losses had been greatN
undenestimated; that he had met with
stronger resistance than he had anticipaA-
ed, and that he was seriously considering
the advisa bil!ty Of falling back to a posi-
ton five miles to the rear and that he had
been unable to be up during the heat fer
four days.
"Under such circumstances, Gen. Miles
telesraphed Gen. Shafter that he would be
with him within a week with strong rean-
forcements. Of course taking the troops
prepared for the second expedition, which
rad been ordered by the president to oper-
ate against the enemy in Cuba, as we'll a.
In Porto Rico. These reinforcements were
pushed rapidly forward, and some Of them
arrived In advance Of the commanding gen.
eral. and were put in position in the trenches
around Santiago. Under verbal instruc-
ton of the president, Gen. Miles was d.
rected to 90 wherever he deemed his pres
ence was requird. and that he should give
such directions as in his opinion were best
for the army and the government.
Miles in Command
These were the circumstances under
which Gen. Miles left WASHINGTON. arr:v-
ing at Santiago July H. not as a private in
dividual nor a visitor. Any pretense that
he went there disrobed Of his authority of
official capacity is too childish to be con-
sidered by sensible men. The momena he
arrived at Santiago he was responsible for
what might occur. He arrived there witt
the Yale. Columbia and Rita, loaded with
Infantry and three ships loaded with artil-
lery, besides those already disembarked.
He declined to disembark the troops and
artillery named on the west side of santi-
ago, as was understood before leaving
Washington. and before he went ashore
he made the necessary arrangements ac-
cordlngly. We then proceeded to the front
and after consulting with Gen. shafter, a
note was sent to the Spanish commander
by Gen. shafter. saying that the command
Ing general Of the army had arrived in his
camp with strong reinforcements ana
would meet him between the lines at any