The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-05
Gen. Skaters Corps Ordered
to MOntsuk Point
COL. ROOSEvELT'S APPEAL,
Shafter and Roosevelt Censured
by the Secretary Of War.

War Department Stirred to Action by
Roosevelt's Description OF the Condition
nj the Army In Santiago and by the
Petition OF tho Division and Corps
Commanders for It's Removal North
Roosevelt Censured for Saying in
n Private Letter to Secretary AlEer
That the Rough Riders Were supe-
-,or to state Guardsmen. and Gen.
shnfter Rebuked and Cehsured for MAX.
ing Public Gen. Kent'S Report, Col.
Roosevelrs Letter, and tho Petition of
His Division and Brigade Commandment for
the Removal of the Army from Santiago.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 4.-The War Department
was stirred up to-day by recent acts OF Gen.
shafter and Col. Theodore Roosevelt. which
have lust come to the attention Of the Adminis-
trution, and these officers have incurred the
severe displeasure OF Secretary AlRer and pre-
sumably Of the President. Ger. Skaters Of
fence is in making public. in advance Of the
War Department, Gen. Kent's despatch de-
scribinR the conduct OF the troops in his
division in battle and letters written by
Col. Roosevelt and the division commanders
ut Santiago appealing to the commanding Gen
eral for the withdrawal Of their troops from
Cuba. Col. Roosevelt has offended the Secre-
tary Of War by writing him O personal letter.
similar to that written to Gen. Shafter, but In
which he compares the soldierly abilities Of the
rough riders with that Of State troops, to the
disagreement OF the latter. Both Gen. Skater
and Col. Roosevelt have been severely rebuked
and censured by the Secretary Of War.
With the Presidents knowledge the secre-
airy sent Gen. shafter a telegram to-day in
s~tructing him peremptorily not TO make public
any important official Information hereafter
without the authority OF the Wal Department.
The information that Roosevelt and the d.
vision commanders had addressed a letter to
Gen. SKATER was contained in q despatch
which was carried to the White House after 1
O'Clock this morning, the message having been
delayed In transmission.
It was not fully transcribed until to-day. and
acouncil Of war was held at the White House
at once when the full purport Of the letters be-
came known. 1t had been Intended for some
time that the Santiago troops should be with
drawn as soon as the yellow fever should be
stamped out. the War Department believing
that the disease could be overcome without too
great cost Of life. Steps had been taken for the
immediate movement OF q part OF the troops.
an order having been prepared yesterday
directing that all Of the cavalry forces at San
tiago and all Of those at Tampa, except the
Fifth regulars and the First Ohio volun-
teers, be moved 10 Montauk Point without
delay. The council Of leading officers OF the
War and Navy departments, held at the White
House to-day. was called to consider the with
drawal OF all the military forces In Santiago as
promptly as possible. In the light OF the revela-
tons made by Col. Roosevelt and the other
officers. 1t was attended by the President.
Secretary Alger. Secretary Long. Assistant
Secretary Allen. Adjt. Gen. Corbin. Col. Hecker
OF the Quartermaster's Department, and Major
Gen. Butler. 1t was decided. after some dis
c~ussion. that the Santiago troops should be
transported to Montauk Point with as little
delay as possible. and this statement was
promptly prepared by the War Department.:
WAR DEPARTMENT. Aug. 4. 1893.
THE Secretary Of War has ordered Gen.
Skaters troops relieved from further duty in
Santiago MS fast rs transportation can be pro-
Nided and the transfer Of Spanish prisoners will
admit Of reduction Of the garrison.
Ships for the Spanish prisoners will arrive
as follows: