Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-10-12
THE REPLY OF ALGER.
No Blame Attached to Admiral
Sampson.
SHOWS MILES WAS RECOGNIZED.
First Plan to Land Troops Near Havana
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of Ceryera's Fleet
Made Santiago Campaign Necessary.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12.-Secretary AL
ger, in his reply to the questions of the
war investigating commission, gave
questions put to him and the answers.
1t was dated Washington, Oct. 6, say
ing in part:
PLAN Of campaign proposed i'm
mediately after the declaration of war.
Was it intended to move at once ON
Havana, or that the campaign should be
postponed until the autumn?
Answer in part-Immediat blockade
by the navy OF the important ports OF
Cube, as directed by the president s
proclamation. The holding Of troops at
points nearest TO Cuba to be available in
any emergency which might arise, and
especially to be ready for prompt assist
ance III case the operations of the navy
should make the use of land forces me-
cessary Or desirable.
A plan, early III May, was partially
matured to land troops at Mariel, west
OF Havana, preparatory for q movement
upon Havana, if advisable Owing to
danger TO health of troops and uncer-
tainty of movements of Spanish troops,
it was decided to camp the men in the
south, for embarkation in an emerg-
ency. Medical authorities also thought
this would somewhat acclimate the
troops for service in Cuba
2-When was the Santiago campaign
determined upon?
Answer, in part-The Santiago cam
paign was made necessary by the pres
ence of Admiral Cervera's fleet in San
tlago harbor, but had previously been
contemplated as one point on the coast
for reconnaissance. The immediate de-
struction of Admiral Cervera's fleet was
necessary, and to enable the navy to &C.
complish this, the military force under
Major General Shafter, United States
volunteers. was directed to move at
once on the city and province of Santi-
ago This movement was FASTENED by
reason OF a telegram received from Ad-
miral Sampson on June 7, stating that
he had bombarded forts at Santiago
June =, and silenced works quickly, and
ii 10000 men were there the city and
the feet could be captured within As
hours.
(See copies of kilograms herewith at
tached marked A, B, @, D, e, f, G.,
H. After the date of this message the
Spanish garrison was largely reinforced.
The opinion of Admiral Sampson was
doubtless correct at the time. The
troops sailed from Tampa on June ID,
1898, with 16,9S8 officers and men,
3-Why was Tampa selected as the
base of operations?
Answer in parton account of the
shipping facilities at that point, and its
comparative short distance from Cuba.
why were summer camps organ
lied at Fernandina, Jacksonville and
Tampa!
Answer in part-All of the early
camps in the south were selected with
special regard for the health of the
troops and their convenience for prompt
movement by rail and water. The camp
at Fernandina was organized on the
recommendation OF the major general
commanding the army. The camp at
Jacksonville was selected on the recon-
mendation of Major General Lee, United
States volunteers, commanding Seventh
army corps. Copy of telegram here
with attached marked H. A perma-
nent camp was never contemplated at
Tampa. Troops were sent there prepar-
atory for embarkation. On the signing
of the protocol they were moved to
Huntsville.
5-When was the Porto Rico cam
paign determined upon?
Answer-The Porto Rico campaign
had been long under consideration, and
the orders to carry it out We're issued
June rs, 1898. (See copy of letter here
with marked j. to Major General
Miles, United States army
6-Why were the troops held on trans
ports after embarkation at Tampa and
not permitted to sail for several days?
Answer, in part-Troops were held
on transports after embarkation at
Tampa on account of the advice re-
ceived from Commodore Remey that
Spanish cruiser, second class, and
Spanish torpedoboat destroyer seen by
Eagle, Nicholas channel, Cuba; destroy
convoy" (See copies of kilograms from
the navy department. herewith, marked
K, l., NJ
Then follows copies of kilograms ex-
changed with Shafter, in one of which
General Miles gave the formal order to
General Shafter for the move on the
forts at Santiago, for the assistance of
the naval feet Other kilograms in con-
nection with the Santiago campaign
and the kilograms to Miles and Shafter
regarding the Porto Rico campaign.
Lees kilograms announcing selection of
jacksonville was also given.
SUPPLIES FOR DESTITUTE.