Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-06-18

The Daring Deeds In Cuba of Some of
the American Officers Praised by tie
Commander of the Army-The Plan
Carried Out by General Garcia.
WASHINGTON, June 18.--The return
of General Miles to Washington, from
Tampa, had an inspiring effect upon
the war preparations yesterday. The
general had busy day calling upon
Secretary Alger, consulting the chiefs
of the staff departments and giving the
department the benefit of his observa-
tons 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 everyone of the
volunteer soldiers a daily surf bath,
such as was enjoyed by the men at
Tampa. General Miles is yet to have
a conference with the president. In the
meantime the plans are moving forward
steadily for sending further expeditions
both to Porto Rico and Cuba. There is
little likelihood that second expedition
Shafter at Santiago will leave within
the next few days, as has been reported.
The necessity of sending these addi-
tional forces is questioned by high mill
tary officials, and moreover the means
of transporting such a force are not
available. The main consideration Just
at present Is the equipment of the ex-
petition OF greater dimensions than any
heretofore discussed with Porto Rico as
the objective point.
A month ago the military authorities
were satisfied that small force would
be sufficient to occupy Porto Rico, as
the Spanish force there did not exceed
5000 or 5000 men. Now, however, the
Spanish garrisons have been SO rein
forced and the defenses strengthened
that it is believed mneh larger inva-
sion army will be required. Moreover,
the officials were satisfied ON learning
yesterday that the Cadiz fleet had sailed
that the ships would go to Porto Rico
rather than to Cuba, if they crossed to
this side. 1t was pointed out that this
move would be the natural strategic
one for the Spanish commanders to
take, as there was still something left
for them to save in Porto Rico.
General Miles would speak only in
the most general way as to the prospec-
tive army movements. When asked as
to the recent reports that large bodies
of troops were about to be concentrated
at Florida points with view to starting
further armies of invasion to Cuba.
Porto Rico and elsewhere he said:
1.-THE military campaign is proceed
ing steadily toward It's complete execu-
ton. The sending Of one expedition or
another is but a detail, single part, of
general plan of campaign. OF course,
it 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 aggres-
slve campaign formulated and approved,
which contemplated the sending of ex-
petitions and their cooperation toward
the successful prosecution Of the war.
Just when these expeditions will move,
and how many men will accompany
them, it is Hot desirable to say now, but
1t is enough to state that the campaign
now entered upon is to be prosecuted
with the utmost yigor until the end of
the war. -
General Miles further said in part:
Having spent some time with the
troops, during trying period of hur-
ried preparations, | am glad to say that
they are a splendid body of men, which
the country may well be proud of. AS
to the regulars, they are the finest corps
in the world, without any exception, in
physical development, efficiency, ex-
perience, discipline, craftsmanship,
equipment and all that goes to make MP
tirst-class soldiers. OF course the vol
unteer army is not as well equipped
Some of the states sent men into the
field in very good condition, notably
Massachusetts, and New York Others
sent their quotas without arms, equip
ment or clothing. They were not sol
diers at all, only employed men. 1t
takes time to make soldiers of this ma
terial.
There must be uniforms, arms, am
munition, equipment, camp equippage,
tentage, transportation and hospital sup
plies, Then in addition they..have to have
ordnance, artillery, siege trains, en-
trenching tools, horse equipments, en-
gineering appliances of all kinds, bal
loon appliances, etc. After that comes
the great question of moving an army
across the sea, with all the dangers and
v1clssltudes OF an ocean voyage. This
work, with its infinite details has been
carried out, l am glad to say, with a
fair degree of success, and the COM
mand of $1,000 men under General
Shafter moved away with an outburst
of patriotic enthusiasm which oyercame
the trials they had passed through"
Later on General Miles said: