New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-03

cnmstances were such that he had changed his
plans and taken the harbor OF Guanica. Secre-
tary Alger however. asked July 90 why the
rlans had been changed. Miles replied under
date ~ the 3Oth. from Ponce that at first it
hal been intended to select only rendezvous
AT Port Fajarde. hut that intention had be-
come known and the Spaniards had been able
10 concentrate in the vicinity. Then Port Fa-
tarde was not safe harbor. and he was with
out the lighters which he had expected to meet
August .. in telegram relative to supplies
General Miles recommended that the manufact-
ure Of Springfield rifles. 45-calibre ammuni-
ton. all white canvas tentage and black leather
equipment Of every description be discontinued
as they obsolete. and should not he a parp
OF the Army equipment
The 'ecretarys reply was az follows:
War Department, August 3. 1898.
As you ought to know the last calbre. As Spring
field rife was manufactured in 1893 Smokeless
and will be forwarded suggest that YOU get
along with what the Government has on hand The
to-day. Your action requiring ali duties TO he paid
SaseT nef to- Al ER secre, S" Of War
August General Miles telegraphed that he
Rad been Informed that naval vessels at Ponce
had been ordered around TO San Juan In order
that there might be conflict Of authority. he
requested that no aggressive action be taken
against that place: that no landings be made
or communication held with the Spanish officials
or forces on the island of Porto Rico by the
Navy That portion devoted to the Geographic
correspondence Of the war closes with few dis
matches indicating the end of the Santiago cam
paign.
OPERATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
OF the Philippines campaign the Secretary
SAYS:
The movement of Major General Merritt.s
command to the Philippines began May 70.
the first expedition arriving off Manila June ~
Ofher troops arrived July II, 20. 81, August Il,
"A and 81 General Merritt arrived off Manila
1,,,v 25 and Immediately visited the troops IN
camp which had preceded him under command
of Brigadier-General Anderson. Preparations
were at once begun 20 attack the enemy mold
ing the city.
ON July 81 the Spaniards made sharp attack
on our forces on the Gala Real August the
snanish commander was notified 70 remove all
nppn.connbatants from Manila within forty-eight
hours on same date he replied that the Span
ish we're without places Of refuge for the wound.
ed and the sick women and children tnen
lodged within the walls.
August 8 Joint demand made for the
surrender Of the city, signed by General merritt
and Admiral Dewey The Captain General Of
fered 10 consult his Government. If time were
allowed in which TO communicate by way or
Hong Kong. This was refused on account OF
The time required, the urgent need or re-
ueving our troops from the trenches and the
great exposure TO unhealthy conditions IN
hiVOudc during the rainy season.
August II orders were issued for the ADVANCE
and on the 18th the combined attack by the
Army and Navy occurred, resulting IN the cap
ture Of Manila the same day. Immediately az
tsr the surrender the Spanish colors on the sea
front were hauled down and the American nag
raised The prisoners captured at Mania were
nearly 600: also $4,000 stand OF arms .
The cablegram sent August 10 to General
Merritt containing the text Of the PRESIDENTS
proclamation directing cessation OF h9s'inues
was not received by him until August 10;
Casualties: Seventeen enlisted men kllled zen
officers and ninety-six enlisted men wounded
BUREAU REPORTS
A number Of reports Of various officers ana
officials TO the Secretary Of War are given some
OF which are Endorsed by him OF the Military
Academy he, for instance. indorses the recon-
uendation for an increase Of the number or ca
diets by twenty annually, TO be appointed by the
President and one by each Senator. TO supply
the officers needed for the Army of the future
Of the Adtutant- Generals recommendations
the Secretary says they are judicious and merit
the favorable consideration OF Congress. In
stead of increase Of pay for officers serving IN
the West Indies and the Philippines TO the next
higher grade as recommended by the Adjutant-
General the Secretary thinks that the pay OF
,bosa officers. as we'll as those N Alaska, should
be increased 80 per cent while so serving, because
Of the additional expense they put to- He
10 farms and other property by movement OF
troops will be made the subject Of a special COM
rnunication 10 Congress. He recommends that
$40 instead Of $40 should be allowed for the ap-
prehension Of deterter.
Treating OF the Quartermaster-Ge Generals re-
mort the Secretary points out an interesting
fact He shows that the Government purchaser
So 500 horses and mules. 5,1I9 wagons oo9 am
hulances and S3O1s tons Of coal and chartered
seventy-seven vessels and purchased ten steam
shjps. The use Of the Missouri was generously
donated 10 the United States with the services
OF her captain and her crew. by her owner g.
n Baker Of Baltimore, and she Is valuable hos
ni.al shin The cost Of transporting the Span
ish prisoners to Spain was S1.513eoo The
graves Of the soldiers at Santiago. In Porto RICO
and the Philippines have been marked. and the
hodies will be brought home soon as the
plans are completed.
In connection with his discussion Of affairs IN
the Ouartermaster's Department. the Secretary
nrin,s an elaborate table showing in detail each
shin purchased or chartered for transport or
supply work; the name of the Individual or
connanv owning the same the period Of time
covered by the charters. the rate OF charter per
dav and the tonnage From this IL appears that
by far the most expensive vessel IN proportion
70 capacity was the Shinnecock owned by the
Montauk Steamboat Company. which was hired
at the rate Of $1,000 a day The big ocean
liners Of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company
the Newport the Peru and the Rio de Janero-
were chartered at the same rate. but they were
OF three times the capacity. The most expensive
vessels purchased were what were known as the
Baker boats of the Minnewaska class which
were purchased az S66O.CD each.
In the Subsistence Department the Secretary
finds an urgent need for a regimental commits
sarv and also for a commissary sergeant for