El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-09-07
Sd EDITION, 4:3O p. m.
GEN. MILES ARRIVES
And Tells About His Trip To Cuba

| New YORK, Sept. Gen, Miles,
commander of the army, arrived in the
city today in the transport OLDHAM. Be-
sides Gen. Miles and his staff there are
nine companies of the Second Wiscon-
sin volunteers aboard. Mrs Miles and
her daughter accompanied the general
on the trip. There were no deaths On
the voyage and no cases of serious ILL
ness.
The soldiers aboard we're overjoyed
at getting home, and cheered again
In answer to the noisy greeting of the
steam craft as tho OLDHAM slowly made
her way to the anchorage off Tompkins-
vile.
Gen. Miles landed from the Obdam
shortly before noon aEd proceeded to
the Waldorf, where he will make his
headquarters during his brief stay.
Gen. Miles said this afternoon: II am
glad to get back. The journey up was
fine, and consider the whole cam
paign in Porto Rico great success.
Let me say now, however, that L am
sorry those Wisconsin troops cannot
stay in this city for few
days, There has been so much talk of
the horrors of this war l would like to
have the public see these soldiers, who,
though volunteers, came back in good
condition. l am sure the public would
like to see them parade, and know
that they themselves will be glad to
parade"
"Why can't we have parade them"
was asked. 81 don't know, I can see
no reason why there should not be-
Gen. Miles was then questioned in
regard to the alleged interview with
him which appeared in the Kansas
City Star, in which certain actions of
the war department were criticised
When asked as to its authority, he
said: ''On that subject l have
nothing to say. L have read the letter
but not the comment, which l under
stand it has aroused. We have enough
to do now getting the soldiers safely
back from the south, without discuss
ing the lite errors which are likely to
occur in every campaign.
NEW YORK, Sept. General Miles
has made the following statement in
regard to his trip to Cuba and Porto
Rico.
81 arrived at Santiago on July Ii.
did not go there on pleasure but by
the orders of the president. General
Shafter sent word to General Toral on
the afternoon of that day that the gen.
eral in command of the American army
b ad landed and said that he would like
to have him meet him.
ga meeting was accordingly arrang-
ed for the next dav between General
Toral and myself. L sent word to him
that2 l was ordered to either des
troy or capture his army,
that had reinforcements at hand, and
that he might have until noon the
next day to get orders from his gov
how to act. [ showed him
.he following telegram from Secretary
Alger:
WASHINGTON. July 13.-Major
General Miles: You may accept sur
'ender by granting parole to officers
and men, officers retaining their side
arms, the OfflcerS and men after parole |
20 be permitted to return to
spain, the United States as
'lsting. If not accepted then
assault, unless in your Judgment an as
'ault would fail. Consult with Samp-
on and pursue such course as to as
ault as you jointly agree upon. Mat
ers should be settled promptly.
- r. A. ALGER, Secretary of war.
This does not look as if l had gone
o Cuba merely on pleasure trip. I
vas entrusted with the responsibility |
If making an assault which might have |
cost our forces 5000 lives. 1 did not
'ccept the surrender myself, but per-
nitted General Shafter to do |
o. l then made every investigation
With a view to preserving the health of |
he men in and about Santiago. We |
hen sailed for Porto Rico to carry out