Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-08
Louisiana, Alabama. Mississippi and Flor
why Plan. Were Changed.

"As soon as a suitable escort could be OBJ
tanned from the navy / left the coast of
Cuba with 3.40o men to seize and occupy
the island of Porto Rico. The place of
landing had been so thoroughly advertised
IN communications sent over the French
cable and in the newspapers of my own
country and teiegraphed to Madrid and
from there to Sar. Juan that. not having re-
cetved the necessary appliances with which
70 dis embark, L decided, after leas ing the
"indWard passage, to change my course
and land on the SO 18th side of Porto Rico
where the Soaniards were the least pre-
pared and the least expecting to receive
me, and where | knew that the disembark-
auon Oh the troops and the supplies could
be most easily effected.
FROM the time OF that Decentralization
during the following nineteen days of cain
| paign. l kept the Spaniards guessing what
the next move would be.
'Whea they withdrew along the line of
the great military road between Ponce aad
San Juan they destroyed the bridges. Oh
| structed the roads and fortif ed strong posi-
tlons In the mountain passes and then
were surprised to find that one column ,F
my army was sweeping around the west
Oh the island capturing the principal cities
ana towns white another had passed over
the mountains on a trail which tLe Snan-
lardS mad supposed impossible and there-
fore, had not fortified or guarded: and the
nrst they knew of the march OF tho Amert
lean army was the appearance of n strong
brigade within twenty miles of til. nortbare,
coast, at the terminus of the railroad con-
meeting San Juan with Arecibo
Island Fairly Won.
The island of Porto Rico was fairly won
oy the right of conquest and became a part
OF the United States. The sentiment of the
people was IN no sense outraged by the in
Vaders, but. on the contrary, was SUCCESS
fully propitiated. A people who have en-
dured the severity of Spanish rule for four
centuries hail with joy the protection of the
great republic. One of the richest sections
of country over which our flag now floats
has been added, and will be of lasting value
TO our nation politically, numerically aud
from military or strategic point OF view.
The possession of that island has alsy
rendered any further resistance of the
Spanish forces in Cuba hopeless and use
less. and | firmly believe that by fair and
just treatment the people of Cuba can be
easily controlled, either a friendly ally
and naighbor, to become a part of our
own country, as the people of Porto Rico.
Il remained in Porto Rico as lony as |
deemed my presence necessary for carrying
out the instructions of the President, and
now return TO the United States bringing
with ME nearly 5000 men. who are no long
er required. there being some 1900 sill
remaining, amply sufficient for all purposes
Il return at once TO Washington. here |
believe l can be most useful. as | consider
the most important need of the hour now to
be the Immediate reduction of the war ex-
penses and the return of as large a portion
of those in the military service as possible
TO their former occupations. where they
are most needed
Gen. Niles, in answer to a direct question
as to the authenticity of the interview pub
lisned in the Kansas City Star, which some
miitafy men declare has furnished ample
Srounds for a court-martial. said to me:
Not the Time for Argument.
There were few errors in it, but it was
substantially correct. But this is not the
time for argument; it is the time for ac-
ton There has been too much scattering
OF the dust iii the rear. / have read too
much of fault-findiug, of criticism and at
tacks upon individuals. Too much has been
said about the blood and the misery OF the
war. and not enough about what has been
accomplished
or the refusal of his request for carap
Tor his troops here Gen. Miles said
Was anxious to give the men a chance
TO rest and get clean clothes before bejr.
sent to their homes. They have had ia
clothing since they left Chickamauga. ami
nave not seen a paymaster.
They are in good health as Won can see
All of our troops in Porto Rico are in the
same condition. We had some typhoid and
malarial fcyers-contracted in camps in this
country-but these have nearly all been
eliminated
The attention of Gen. Miles was called to
the proposition of Mayor Van Wyck for \
general review OF the troops. He reDlied:
IL is too late now. The PENNSYLVANIA repi-
inent was sent away yesterday the Wiscon-
SIN men leave today, and the others are 10
go direct to their homes"