The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-08-30
THE VEXED QUESTION
OF WHO WAS IN CON-
MANp AT SANTIAGO
The STAR PRESENTS CLAIMS
or Generals Miles and Shaiter.
With All Messages Re-
lating Thereto.

iAbiut AhVi obUs
Kansas city. Aug 29-Thc Kansas city
Star has been investigating the matter
Of who was in command OF the United
states troops at the fan Of Santiago.
The stra article says: That Gen.
Miles vas in command Of the entire army
when in washington Is Ct couris cy1,
dent. That he did net resign thi5 sup
RENE command when re went &c Tampa
and that it was he who was treating with
the Cubans for cooperation IN Cuba is
shown 10y numerous telegrams excanged
with Gen. Garcia. The war department
recognized Miles as chief when he was IN
Tampa for June y a telegram was sent
to hh.i from Washington which begins:
Tho following extract OF telegram
from Admiral Sampson TO secretary OF
navy. is repeated for your information %
when shafter went to Cuba and Gen
Miles returned to Washington. the latter
did not resign his control OF the sltua-
tion, but on the contrary. kept In as close
touch as possible by wire with the move.
ments Of Skaters command.
On the fourth OF July General shafter
sent the following dispatches to
Washington, addressed to the adiutant
general
headquarters NTH army corps, in
camp near Santiago De cuba. July D.
There seems to be no reasonable doubt
but that Gen. Pando succeeded in enter
ing Santiago last night with his forces
said to be about 5000 men
This puts different aspect upon af-
fairs and while we can probably main
tain ourselves 1t would be at the cost or
very considerable hghtlng and loss.
"Gen. Lawton reports that Cen Garcia
who was to block entrance OF Pando. iu-
formed him at 10 o'clock last night that
Pando had passed in on Cobra road Law
ton says cannot compel Gen. Garcia 20
obey instructions to place themselves IN
any position where they will have TO fight
and that II we intend to reduce Santiago
we viii have to depend alone upon our
troops and that we win require twice the
number We now have
u sent message to Admiral Sampson
asking II he proposed entering the har-
Dor so as to give as his assistance. Com
modore Watson replies that he does not
know admiral Simpsons Intentions since
the destruction OF the spanl4h squadron
but does not himself, think the fleet
should try to go into the harbor OF san
tiago. This, under the circumstances, Is
not very encouraging.
Have been expecting division from
Tampa and Dufhelds second brigade from
Camp Alger, but only a small number Of
recruits has appeared so far. II we have
to go to try and reduce the town. now
that the fleet is destroyed, which was
stated to be the chief obj,c. OF the expe-
dltion, there must be no delay In getting
large bodies OF troops here
"The town Is In "a terrible condition az
to food and people are starving. as stat
ed by foreign eonsuls this morning, but
the troops can fight and have a large
quantity Of rice. but no other supplies.
There w.l be nothing done here until
noon Of the NTH and suppose / can
put them on a little longer to enable peo-
pie to get out. Country here IS destitute
Of food or growing crops except man
goes.
Men are IN good spirits, though Il is
hard to tell how long the latter will CON
tinue.
II am sorry TO say am no better and
In addition to my weakness, connot boot
on account Of slight attack OF goui. but
hope to be better soon Lieut. Miley had
Interview with consuls this morning. ana
his report wiH be telegraphed Immediately
DO not send this In cipher. as time Is
precious. sHAFTER. Maj. Gen.
Il was this situation which determined
Gen. Miles to 80 to Cuba. The day he
sailed with reinforeements. July 2. he
sent the following dispatch from wash
ington:
Gen. shafter Santiago. cuba: Take
every precautIon against surprise and be
on the lookout that the enemy does not
turn your right nank and come In on the
line Of your communications Reinforce
ments are beigg sent forward as rapidly
as possible, but you viii have 10 be the
Judge Of the position you are 20 hold On.
IN reinforcements can reach you
MILES. Major General commanding
Gen. Miles sailed for Cuba. on July II
he reported his safe arrival TO the wal
department. and at once assumed charge
reporting to the secretary Of war. All OF
the subsequent business Of the surrend,
er was entirely IN his hands as shown by
The fact that the war department com
munlcated with him direct, not even men
uonlng Gen. Skaters name In the numer
oEs dispatches. The following dispa.cf
Is an excellent example
Washington July 10 Major Gen ;dHe,
You may assept surrender BY gramupi
parole 10 officers and men. the of6ceri
retaining their aide arms The officer
and men after parole viii be peruitls,
lto return 10 spain. the United state as