The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-30
WILL MILES
STICK To THE
STATEMENTS?
kilograms That Back
Up His Stand.
EXTRICATED SKATER IN CUBA
THEN CoRBAN's SECRET DIS
PATCH CAUSED TROUBLE.
at Santiago the Commanding Gen
eral of the Army Checked an
Attempt to Evade His
Authority.
THEN CoRBlN'S SECRET DIS
PATCH CAUSED TROUBLE.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


spondent. who has just returned from
Porto Rico, bearing upon the Miles
Alger controversy Whelpley takes oc-
casion TO deny the statement that his
recently published interview in Porto
Rico with General Miles, wherein the
latter was quoted as casting reflections
upon the War Department, was not
genuine, and in support of the state
ments already made by its correspond
ent the Star prints interesting tele-
= grams that passed between the War
Department and Generals Miles and
-. Shafter on the points at issue.
Doubt is expressed by some" says
Mr.. Whelpley, "as to whether General
Miles said these things 1 credit him
with. Others suggest he may have
said them in confidence which was be-
trayed. I feel confident" continues
the correspondent, General Miles Will
stand by the interview referred to.
: MY talk with him was not confiden-
tfaI I went to him as a newspaper
reporter for the avowed and express
purpose of securing an interview.
There were no reservations from pub
LEGATION in the conversation. This IS
proved by his refusal to answer some
questions which he would have ans
.wered had this not been so. There was
no hint of condolences.
I'm; this instance, however, no ques-
ton of veracity need arise. General
Miles himself, even if he so desired,
could not conceal the proof Of all he
said. 1t is written in the records OF
the War Department, and 1t only needs
a~clearing away of inconsequent mat
ter to tell the story clearly and in
full"
The stars article says:
THAT General Miles was in command
of the. entire army when in Washing
ton was, of course, evident.
THAT he did not resign TINS
si16re1ne command when he went to
Tampa and that it was he who was
treating with the Cubans for co-opera-
ton .i11gSs,uba is shown by numerous tel
egrarns exchanged with General Garcia.
The War Department recognized Miles
as chief when he was in Tampa, for
June: II a telegram was sent to him
from Washington which begins: The
following extract of telegram from Ad-
niiral Sampson to Secretary of Navy
is: repeated for your information etc.
when General Shafter went
to Cuba and General Miles re-
turned to Washington the latter did not
resign his control of the situation, but
on the contrary kept in as close touch
as possible by wire with the movements
of Skaters command.
ION the Fourth of July he sent the
following dispatch to Washington, ad-
dressed TO the ad1utant general:
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY
CORPS, IN CAMP NEAR SANTIAGO
l%4a-CUBA, July 4-There seems TO be no
rea ssnable doubt that General Pando
succeeded in entering Santiago last night
: with his force, said to be about 5000 men.
This puts a different aspect upon affairs
and while we can probably maintain our
" selves 1T would be at the cost of very
considerable fighting and loss.
General Lawton reports that General
Garcia, who was to block entrance of
Pando, informed him at 10 O'Clock last
night that Pando had passed in on Cobra
road LaWton says he cannot compel
General Garcia 20 obey my instructions
to place themselves in any position where
they will have to fight, and that II we IN
tend. to reduce Santiago We Will have TO
depend. alone upon our own troops and
that we will require twice the number we
now have.
/ sent a message to Admiral Sampson,
asking if he proposed TO enter the harbor
so as to give us his assistance. Commo-
dore Watson replies that he does not
know Admiral SIMPSONS intentions since
the destruction of the Spanish squadron,
but does not himself think the fleet should
try 10 go into the harbor of Santiago.
This, under the circumstances, is not very
encouraging
Have been expecting a division from
Tampa and Dufield's Second Brigade
from Camp Alger, but only small num-
Der of recruits has appeared so far. If
we have 10 go and try TO reduce the
town, now that the feet is destroyed,
which was stated to be the chief object OF
the expedition, there must be no delay in
getting large bodies of troops here. The
town is in a. terrible condition as to food
and people are starving, as stated by for
9ign consulS this morning, but the troops
can fight, and have large quantity OF
: rice. but no other supplies; Ihere VIII De
nothing done until noon of the 9TH, and l
suppose I can put them off little longer
TO enable people to get out. Country here
IS destitute Of food or growing crops, eX-
> .cept mangoes.
- Men are in good spirits, though 1t is
d: hard to. tell how long the latter will con-
and. in addition to my weakness cannot
boot on account Of the slight attack of
,'gout, but hope to be better soon. Lieu
tenant Miley had interview with consuls
graphed Immediately. l do not send this
in. cipher, as time is precious.
SKATER, Major General.
cit was this situation which deter
E. mined General Miles to go to Cuba
The day he sailed with achievements,
= July Z, he sent the following dispatch
from Washington:
General Shafter, Santiago de Cuha.
Take every precaution against surprise
and be on the lookout that the enemy does
Iiot turn your right flank and come in or
the line of your communications. Rein
=. forcements are being sent forward as rap
DOSSfDic, y
the Judge of the position you are to hold
until endorsements can reach you
q. MILES, Major General Commanding
General Miles sailed for Cuba. Or
.J,tly II at noon he reported his safe ar
rival to the War Department and al
once assumed charge, reporting to the
Secretary of War. All of the subse-
ouent business of the surrender was en-
'tirely in his hands, as shown by the
fact that the War Department com
.rnunicated with him direct, not ever
mentioning General Skaters name II
the numerous dispatches. The follow.
ing dispatch is an excellent example:
WASHINGTON, d. c., July 13.-Majol
General Miles: You may accept surren
der By granting parole to officers and
The officers and men after parole will be
permitted to return to Spain, the United
States assisting. If not accepted, then as.
zr.a,.id IN lS...,cI1It rritl, Gamnsnn anf