The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-30

Kansas City. Aug. so.--The Star OF
yesterday contained three column ar
ticle from ]. ID. whelpley. its special
correspondent. who has just returned
from Porto Rico. bearing upon the
Miles-Alger controversy. Mr.. Whelpley
denies the statement that his recently
published interview In Porto Rico with
General Miles. wherein the latter was
quoted as casting reflections upon the
war department was not genuine, and
In support OF the statement already
made by il, The Star prints interesting
kilograms that passed between the war
department and Generals Miles and
Shafter on the points at issue.
Doubt Is expressed by some," says
Mr.. Whelpley. "as to whether General
Miles ever said the things I credit him
with. Others suggest he may have said
them in confidence which was betrayed
feel confident. continued the corre-
epondent, that General Miles will stand
by the interview referred to- My inter-
view was not confidential / went to
him as a newspaper reporter for the
avowed and expressed purpose Of secur-
ing an interview. There was no reser-
walton from publication in the conversa-
ton. This is proven by his refusal to
answer some questions which he other
wise would have answered. There was
no hint OF confidence In thiJ instance,
however, no question OF veracity need
arise. General Miles himself. even IL
be so desired. could not conceal the proof
of all he said. 1t Is written on the
records Of the war d-A Airtment. and IL
needs only clearing away OF inconse-
quential matter to tell the story clearly
and in full.
The article says in part. ''It needs
only glance at the official records OF
the war department to show each Of
these charges to be true, and to throw
much additional light on the situation.
That he was in command OF the entire
army when he was N Washington Is
OF course evident. That he did not re-
sign this supreme command when he
went to Tampa, and that IT was he who
was treating with the Cubans for CO.
operation in Cuba, Is shown by the
numerous kilograms exchanged with
General Garcia. The war department
recognized Miles as chief when he was
In Tampa, for June ~ a telegram was
sent to him from Washington, which
began: The following extract of tel /
egram from Admiral Sampson to the
secretary of the navy is repeated for
your information, etc. No man who
was at Tampa when General Miles ar
rived from Washington ever will doubt
his supremacy, because all others, in
cluding General Shafter. became at once
mere creatures at his beck and call.
When General Shafter went to Cuba and
General Miles returned to Washington,
the latter did not resign his control Of
the situation. but on the contrary, kept
In close touch as possible by wire with
the movements of Skaters command.
"July General shafter sent the follow.
ing dispatch. addressed to the adju-
tant general: There seems to be no
reasonable doubt that General Pando
succeeded in entering Santiago last
night with HIS force, said to be about
5000 men. This puts different aspect
on affairs and, while we can probably |
maintain ourselves, IL would be at the |
cost Of very considerable fighting and !!
loss. General Lawton reports that Gen.
eral Garcia, who was TO block the en-
trance Of Pando, informed him at 10 |
o'clock last night that Pando had passed
in on Zebra road. Lawton says he /
cannot compel General Garcia to obey
my instructions to place themselves in
any position where they will have to
fight. and that if we intend to reduce
Santiago we will have TO depend alone
upon our own troops. and that we will
require twice the number we now have
sent a message to Admiral Sampson
asking II he proposed entering the har-
Dor, so as to give us his assistance.
Commodore Watson replies that he does
not know Admiral SIMPSONS intentions
since the destruction of the Spanish
squadron, but does not himself think the
feet should try to go into the harbor
OF Santiago. This, under the circum-
stances. Is not very encouraging
1T was this situation which de-
termined General Miles TO go TO Cuba.
The day he sailed with reinforcements.
July 7, he sent the following dispatch
from Washington: 'Shafter, Santiago:
Take every precaution against surprise.
and be on the lookout that the enemy
docs not turn your right flank and come
I'm on the line OF your communications.
are being sent forward
os rapidly as possible. but you will have
TO be the judge OF the position you arc
to hold until reinforcements can reach
you
General Miles sailed. for Cuba. on
July IL at noon he reported his safe ar
rival TO the war department. and at
once assumed charge. reporting to Me
OF war. All OF the subsequent
business OF the surrender was entirely
In his hands. as shown by the fact that