Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-09-01
INTERVIEW WITH SKATER.


the Herald from santiago says: Prior
to embarkinQ on the steamer Mexico
Maj. Gen. Shsfter consented To be in.
terviewed. During the interview he
discussed in general terms the cam
paign that has just ended. The bare
prospect Of returning to the United
States caused him TO be brighter, more
cheerful and less harassed- docking than
at any period since he embarked at
Tampa. Critics and detractors were
alike forgotten and, with improved
health and the evident consciousness
that whatever might be the eventful
verdict Of the operations before Santi-
ago u difficult campaign had been
brought to successful conclusion, he
spoke with greater energy and more
vigor than at any time since the capt.
ulation. Gen. Shafter said:
look upon the camnaiyn just closed as q
successful one In the highest degree, not only
in regard to the military operations but more
especially in regard to the great results
achieved. When we decided to attuca Sanli-
ago we looked for nothing more as the imme-
date fruit OF victory than the capture OF the
city. What has been achieved Is the capitula-
ion of the eastern par NJ the province from
line at Jibari to the sorth coast. together with
the en- my's fore s. amounting to almost "a 90
men. Surely This WIS the most notable
nchipvemant NJ tho cnun aivp hea rinp in lind
the fierce opposition we encountered and the
conn aratively smallness OF our own forces
From a military point of view l perhaps
took steps which might not be deemed ju'tiila-
BILE under other circum stances, but knew the
temper and the capabilities OF my soldiers and
the moral effect Of our gradually coopng up
the enemy within It's own lines. Our primary
object was to drive Cervera out and next TO
take the town. We had gradually driven the
Spaniards back on his lines circling the city
and slowly advancing day Dy day. The enemy
began losing spirit as soon as our guns had
been placed in q position to cover the town.
When Cervera left the situation was changed.
The town was at my mercy and had piven the
order for direct assault 1t would have been
taken within four hours l believe that with
the forces then at my command. reinforced as
they had been, l was In position to take the
city by force, But II l had taken q step OF such
character what would have been the result
estimate that our casualties would have been
5000 men and the action took has had more
brilliant real results without heavy loss OF
valuable lives
The town itself Is admirably situated for de.
nd I'm A,,ht hn, hao, n Inn N nd
bloody one. Everv house Is strongly con-
structed Of stone and entirely different from
the ordinary frame buildings Every house
was u little fortress itself. Had the Spaniards,
forced by desperation. fought the battle out In
the streets our loss would have been enormous
But from the moment G IN Toral made pr0pO-
sition for conference knew he was deter
mined 10 give up and acted accordingly.
Personal reflections have been cast upon me
because was not on the fighting line. That
was not the place for general in command Of
IN army. 1t must be remembered that was
connected by telephone with the officers at the
front and was better able to direct operations
from the position had taken. Save for two
days when |, | was In direct commanl OF this
campaign. which consider unique in Ameri-
can history for 1t was really The first time the
United States hud fou hit with It's regular
army. The civil war was u war Of volunteers.
but this campaign was fought BY our regular
troops. did not notice the fact NJ first, but
there were 0n.y three volunteer regl-
ments engaged against Spaniards While
the highest credit Is to be given
them md they fought bravelv and
well there was the moral support Of the
regulars back OF It all. Our volunteers lacked
that unity cohesion md individual support
noticeable in our trained trOors but at the
same time 20 di ,pararement should be made
Of the volunteer regiments in the campaign
There has been some question concerning the
transportation facilities Of the army The ia.
cilities were oil Their, and the transportation
equipment provided was all 1t should have
been, but our difficulties were enormous
The nature Of the country, the weather-all
these things-helped to disorganize the depart
ment' The use Of wagons was almost impossi-