The record-union., 1898-09-08
Talks Of the Recent Operations in
Cuba and Porto Rico.
Has Been Too Much Criticism of Conduct
of Officers.
The Public Seems to Have Lost
Sight of the Glories Achieved
Declares that the Health Of the
Troops in Porto Rico is Good.

NEW YORK, Sept. THE United
States transport OLDHAM, having on
board Major General Nelson A Miles
and his staff, General Greenleaf, Cap
tain Whitley, the Second Regiment of
Wisconsin Volunteers, consisting of
thirty officers and 500 men, and the
hospital corps from Porto Rico, arrived
here to-day. Mrs. Miles, son and
daughter We're also on board the trans
port, which sailed from Ponce on Sep
TENDER 1st The surgeon in charge re-
ported all we'll, and no sickness or
deaths during the voyage. The troops
were in the best of spirits. The big
transport was decorated profuSely with
palms and draped with flags. From
the fore truck was flying the American
ensign over a large Spanish flag, while
long strings of international code flags
were floating from each masthead to
the rails.
General Miles said that he did not de-
sire to criticise the conduct of any Off
Ger engaged in the late war. He eX-
pressed the opinion that there had been
too much criticism complaint and con-
domination published already, and that
the public had lost sight of the sue
cess and glories of the war. He did not
care to enter into any general discus
sion of the events of the war beyond
the written statement which he had
prepared during his voyage on the OBJ
dam, and which he has given out for
publication. He will go to Washington
tomorrow morning.
General Miles declared that the
health of the troops still in Porto Rico
is good. He said that he considered
the island a most charming country,
but that he is greatly pleased to re-
turn to the United States.
General Miles gave to the represen-
tatives of the press a typewriter doc
ument treating of the prosecution of
the war with Spain. The paper is
written in the form Of an interview with
the General In it the General is rep
resented as recalling to mind that in a
public statement at the beginning of
the war referring TO talk Oh a rush for
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 sin
gle soldier, either from disease or the
bullets of the enemy. l have never
command, and do not propose to SUBJ
ject them to any unnecessary risk in
the present campaign
In speaking of the order issued to the
army at an early day, he said he di-
rected that every officer of whatever
grade will. so far as may be in his
power, guard and preserve the health
and welfare of those under his charge.
l.
to perfect himself and his subordinates
in military drill. instruction and dis
cipline. and above all he must constant
~ endeavor by precept and example
to maintain the highest character, to
foster and stimulate that true soldier
y spirit and patriotic devotion to duty
which must characterize an effective
army" The principles thus enurciated
have been zealously observed from the
first
Further along in the interview the
document given out to-day says: COW
ing to the fact that the season suited
for campaigning in Cuba had been ex-
hausted in debates and delay in Con-
gress and in necessary preparations.
General Miles was opposed to rushing
an ill-prepared, undisciplined and un-
equipped army in movement against
the capital of Cuba, defended by 1GO.-
600 trained Spanish troops, and in this
position he stood practically alone for
several weeks. Havana, Matanzas,
Santiago and a few other points were
drawn on his military map as hotbeds
of disease, destructive to an army and
places to be avoided, especially during
the sickly season.
When finally called upon to submit a
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 ION to Havana"
should be encouraged. but when the
transports, loaded with troops, were
out of sight Of land they should sail as
straight as steam power could bear
them TO the gate of the Antilles, and to
the key of the whole position-Porto
Rico. Then, having seized and occu-
pied that island a movement to Cuba
was to follow by means of a strong
cavalry force, which was to be organ
lied and equipped by August or Sep
TENDER. He contemplated 10000
cavalry thrown in the center of Cuba.
cutting the Spanish forces in two and
moving west to Havana BY the time
the rainy season was over, and 1T would
be possible to maneuver an army. we
could move against that city we'll
organized, well-equipped and well-dis-
ciplined army. and complete the cap
ture of the Spanish forces.
THE Enclosure of Cervera's fleet III
the harbor Of Santiago changed the
conditions. and made it necesSar" to
move a military force to that point
General Miles, while al Tampa or
ganizing the expedition. felt the inn
portance of the enterprise SO greatly
that he requested permission to accom-
pany that expedition or to join another
TO Join It. This permission was not
granted. SO far as accompanying thar
expedition was concerned. but author
.ty was granted to equip second for
and operation against the
enemy in Cuba and Porto Rico. How
eyer. before this expedition was equip
nod calls were made for additional
forces to go to Santiago. and they
,,,ere Immediately forwarded.
On the Sd day of July General Shaft-
- te,egraphed that his Losses had peen