The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-09-16
MILES INTERVIEWED
Substantial Accuracy of Statements
Attributed to Him Admitted.
TIE GENERALS TWO REQUESTS.
Both OF Them Ignored by the Authorities
at washinEton--A Typewriter Docu-
ment Treating on the War Given
Out to the Press.

New York, Sept s.-The United
States transport OLDHAM, having on
board Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles and
his staff, Maj. Greenleaf, Capt. Whit
ney, the Second regiment Wisconsin
volunteers, consisting of 30 officers and
800 men, and the hospital corps from
Porto Rico arrived here yesterday. Mrs.
Miles, son and daughter we're also on
board the transport, which sailed from
Ponce on September 1. The surgeon
in charge reported all well and no
sickness or deaths during the voyage.
The troops were in the best of spirits
The big transport was decorated pro-
fusely with palms and draped with
flags. From the fore truck was flying
the American ensign over a large
Spanish flag, while long strings of in
ternational code flags were floating
from each masthead to the rails. Gen.
Miles admitted to the Associated press
reporter, who interviewed him while
the OLDHAM was lying off Liberty is
land, the substantial accuracy of the
statement attributed to him by the
Kansas City Stars correspondent at
Ponce, Porto Rico. He said:
There are o few minor inaccuracies In the
published reports, such as usually occur in such
interviews do not care to point out the In
accuracles referred to at this time; they are
unimportant 1t is true that l requested that
my troops in Porto Rico GU their return home
should be allowed to camp somewhere near
New York. preferably Brooklyn heights. Fort
Wadsworth or Governors island. I also re-
quested OF the war department that the troops
be allowed to march through New York city.
/ never Intended 70 parade myself as shah
go to Washington in few days and would not
be here at the time OF the contemplated parade.
/ asked that the Wisconsin men aboard the
OLDHAM be permitted to stay in this vicinity for
a day or Two to give them a chance TO the
city II would do no harm TO let these western
boys get a glimpse Of New York. Surely they
merit IT, Many OF them 1 think have never
seen the city and perhaps will never have an
other chance TO see IL.
To my first request, namely, that my troops
be permitted to camp hereabouts in the neigh
borhood OF Brooklyn heights and that they be
allowed to parade, / have received no reply
| To my second request | received reply at
| quarantine this morning ordering the Wiscon-
| sin boys home forthwith The men will go
| from the transports directly to the cars.
shall stay in the city day or two to trans-
act some business and will then nrooeed to
| Washington Gen. Wilson's division will
reach New York in q day or two. They will
come 90 the transports Mississippi, Manitoba,
Alamo and Concho. The last will carry Gen
Wilson and his headquarters.
Gen. Miles gave to the representa-
tives of the press a typewriter docu-
ment treating of the prosecution of
war with Spain. The paper was writ
ten in the form of an interview with
the general. In it the general is rep
resented as recalling to mind that in
| IL 10 10 NJ ha hnn rip-
ming of the war, referring to the talk
of rush for the fever stricken city of
Havana, he said:
No ofcer is ~ TO command troops who from
| any motive whatever would necdlessly risk the
life OF a single soldier either from disease or
the bullets OF the enemy. have never sacri-
| iced the lives OF men under my command and
do not propose to subject them to any unneces-
sary risk in the present campaign.
Further along in the interview he
document given out yesterday says:
Owing 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 i'll prepared, undici-
pined and unequipped army In q move
| ment against the capital OF Cuba, defended
by 100000 trained Spanish troops and in this
position he stood practically alone for severa
weeks Havana, Matan2as Santiago and
few other points were drawn on his military
map as hotbeds OF disease. destructive TO az
army, and places to be avoided, especially dur.
ing the sick.y season.
Gen. Miles then states that he sub
mitted plan of campaign and under
instructions from the president he wa,
directed to 60 wherever he deemed hi,
presence necessary. So he left fol
Santiago and when he arrived there
he was responsible for what happened
and claims full credit for the victory
The general then narrates his success
full operations in Porto Rico.
ATTEnEn DEhHE COMMITTING