The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-08

w iloOH QlNISlOH VIII TedCn new
in day or two, l think. They will
come on the transports Mississippi,
Manitoba, Alamo and Concho. The
last will carry General Wilson and his
headquarters
TOO MUCH CRITICISM.
General Miles said that he did not
desire to criticise the conduct of any
oflcer engaged in the late war He
expressed the opinion that there had
been too much criticism, complaint and
condemnation published already, and
that the public had lost sight of the
success and glories OF the war. He
did not care to enter into any general
discussion of the events of the war
beyond the written statement that he
had prepared during his voyage on the
Obdam, and which he has given out
Tor publication. He will go to Wash
ington tomorrow morning.
General Miles declared that the
health of the troops still in Porto Rico
is good. He said that he considered
the island most charming country,
put that he IS greatly pleased to re-
turn to the United States.
The following statement. emanating
from General Miles, was given to the
reporters on board of the Obdam. 1t
is IN the form of a letter. in which
General Miles is mentioned in the third
person:
While at Porto Rico and during the
voyage returning on the Obdam. on
which steamer were General Miles and
staff and two battalions of the Second
regiment of Wisconsin volunteers. |
learned the following facts concerning
the Cuban and Porto Rican expeditions.
In the first place let me say that the
war has closed, after being conducted
largely as General Miles stated pub
icly at the beginning of the war that
1t would be. The statement was pub
1cly made and general order was is
sued by him as commander of the
American army in which the plan he
has striven to pursue was foreshad-
owed, namely, seeking to accomplish
results with the least possible loss of
life In an interview in the latter part
of May he said: The United States
government is too strong, too great and
too powerful to commit any foolish act
in connection with the proposed in
vasion of Cuba"
Referring to- the proposed rush to
the fever-stricken city of Havana, he
said: No officer is fit to command
troops who, from any motive whatever
would needlessly risk the life of a sim
gle soldier either from disease or the
bullets of the enemy. l have never
sacrificed the lives of men under my
SOLiAAcilO QO uOl pIOpOSe TO SUD-
ject them to any unnecessary risks in
the present campaign
In the order issued to the army at
an early date, he directed that Every
officer, of whatever grade, will, so far
as may be in his power, guard and pre-
serve the health and welfare of those
under his charge. He must labor dill
gently and zealously to perfect him
self and his subordinates in military
drill, instruction and discipline. and |
above all, he must constantly endeaver
by precept and example to maintain !
the highest character to foster and |
stimulate that true soldierly spirit and
patriotic devotion to duty which must !
characterize an effective army
The principles thus enunciated have !
been Zealously observed from the first.
Owing to the fact that the season |
suited for campaigning in Cuba had |
been exhausted in debates and delay (,
in congress, and in necessary prepara- |!
tions, General Miles was opposed to !
rushing an ill-prepared, undisciplined |
and unequipped army in a movement |
against the capital of Cuba, defended /
by 100000 trained Spanish troops, and |
in this position he stood practically |
alone for several weeks. Havana, Ma /
tanzas, Santiago and few other points /
were drawn on his military map as /
hotbeds of disease, destructive to an /
army and places to be avoided, espe-
cially during the sickly season.
HIS PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.
When finally called upon to submit
plan of campaign he did so and put /
it in writing. In substance he took the
stand, first, that every effort should be
made to equip the Cubans and thereby
enable them to harass the Spanish |
forces.
The cry of 'On to Havana should
be encouraged, but when the trans I
ports loaded with troops were out Of