The times., 1898-06-20
THE STATUS OF GEN. MILES
No One Yet Knows If His Ex-
PLANTATION Was Satisfactory.
GOING TO PORTO RICOAND CUBA
He Announces That He VIII Visit
Both Islands During the Summer,
Evidence That the Cuban Cant
paign Is Not to Be Delayed.

Though 1t may not be wholly improba-
bic, and while such course may even be
contemplated by the Administration,
there is little or no authority for the
statement that Major General Miles is 10
be ordered South to lead the Porto Rican
invasion.
Such action, no doubt, would be in
complete accord with the feeling that now
exists between the President and Secre-
tary Alger on one side, and Gen. Miles
on the other. but il would be decidedly
radical measure. and at the present time
there is hardly sufficient grounds upon
which to base such an assumption.
There is wide difference between Gen.
Miles accompanying the expedition with
a major general of junior rank to per-
sonally command IL and directing the in
Yasion himself in person. The former
proposition would mean TO detail Gen.
Miles on a mission. practically relieving
him from his position of ranking COM
mander of the army. while the latter
would bear no such Significance.
Gen Miles will undoubtedly so to Porto
Rico, but not necessarily as immediate
commander of the expedition.
1t is clearly within the province and
duties of the commanding general of the
army to visit every field of war the bet
ter to command the entire situation. not
to direct any single branch OF the cam
paign.
When Gen. Miles goes to Porto Rico in
his capacity as ranking commander of the
l.as 90 sho nd
have immediate direction of the entire
war campaign. If he is ordered to service
in Porto Rico. however, as the leader of
the expedition, it will demonstrate the in
tention of the Administration 10 humiliate
him as commanding general of the army.
Thus 1t appears that In view of the fact
that no one yet knows definitely or off,
cially the exact military status of Gen
Miles since his recall from the South, 1t
is a broad assertion TO say that he Will
be assigned to lead the Porto Rican ex-
pedition, considering the implied signifi-
cance of such an order.
II is doubtful If even the Administra-
ton is confident of the immediate future
Of the general He was recalled to make
an explanation. He has made it, Whether
or not it has been satisfactorily received
is question that allows of wide specula-
tion. but there is very little authority at
the present time for any sort of definite
answer.
/ Gen Miles gave brief interview TO The
Times yesterday.
He was in his office at the War Depart-
ment chatting with Mrs Miles when the
reporter for The Times called He was
practically the only high official of the
War and Navy Departments to visit his
/ desk during the entire day. The rest of
the building. with the exception of the
/ Bureau of Navigation, which is always
open, was dark and deserted.
Gen. Miles was asked the usual cut and
I dried question whether there was any
( war news for publication.
He was in the best of humor, and said
smiling, No; don't think there is any
thing new today
1T is said. general that you will lead
the Porto Rican expedition. Is there any
/ truth in the statement" he was asked.
We'll. l wont say that am going with
the expedition to Porto Rico l cannot
! give the press details as to the sending OF
] &A4-s SApSNAAbAoii' VI OA any IHihIdFy move
ment. but I will say that | am going To
/ Porto Rico.
Before the Summer passes. l will also
! go TO Cuba Just when or in what man
ner I will not say
Further than this Gen Miles would not
be interviewed.
The positive statement by him that he
will go to Porto Rico and to Cuba also
! signifies that he will exercise the full pre-
negatives of his Office as commander-in-
chief of the army, and will direct the
entire military campaign in person.
The statement that he viii go to Cuba
! before the Summer passes will also dis
] pose of the reports. numerous of late, to
! the effect that the main Cuban campaign
would be put off until Fall. The probable
4 intention of Gen. Miles is to accompany
! the Porto Rico movement and supervise
/ the assault upon San Juan and then re-
turn and lead the main body of the army
against Havana.
Ii is known that Gen. Miles intended. in
accordance with instructions to person
| ally investigate the camp at Chicka-
mauga and its condition Immediately af-
ter the sailing of the Santiago expedition
1 from Tampa. His sudden and unexpected
/ recall prevented this. and it is rumored
in military circles now that he will be
/ instructed to visit Chickamauga and re-