Evening star., 1898-05-23
POSITION OF GENERAL MILES
Has Not Opposed Prompt Invasion of
Cuba.
Has Merely Objected to Landing an
Insufficient Force Upon
the Island.

There has been a great deal of private
and some public criticism of Cen Miles,
! based on the theory that he is standing in
the way and opposing the immediate in
vasion of Cuba. This criticism, there is
good reason to bslieve is unjust ard is
based a false assumption as to what
Gen. Miles attitude is. 1t is known to a
few people, at least, that Gen. Miles has
for some time Eeen strongly in favor of a
speedy and effective invasion, and that he
has chafed at the delays attending the or
ganization and equipment of the volunteer
army. That he is accused of advocating
delay is said to be merely an evidence of
the fact that he has not been taking into
his confidence any one outside the depart
ment The difference of opinion which has
existed has be to the character of the
invasion to be made. Gen. Miles has ear
restly and determinedly opposed sending a
few thousand men to Cuba with great
quantity of stores and equipment. trusting
to the support which might be given them
by the Gomez army. 1t is likely that an
invasion of that sort might have occurred
week or two ago had he no. SO earnestly
opposed it, and to that extent only it is de-
clared, is he responsible for the delay. He
has taken the ground that there would be
force; that it would endanger the lives of
the few thousand men sent, possibly result
ing in our stores falling into the hands of
the enemy. and thus giving them supplies
which Spain is unable to furnish them; and
that 1t would do very little toward hasten
ing conclusion Of the war even ff the
man were able to defend themselves and
their stores. He has advocated it is assert
ed, an Immediate invasion of the island
with a force Of between seventy and one
hundred thousand man, and that this force
should be landed as nearly as possible at
the same time at diiIere Mt points. 1t is said
that he has insisted that transports enough
should be provided to land eighteen or
twenty Thousand men at a time in quick
succession, with abundant stores The
change of plan from that first contem-
plated of merely establishing base of sup
plies for the insurgents to one for an in
1asion on large scale has necessarily re-
suited in delay. The matter of equipment
of troops has dragged, and a great deal of
time has been Consumed i'll adjusting the
commands and organizing the volunteer
army. 1t is believed now that everything l.,
in readiness for the invasion and that Cen
Miles is not advising postponement until
fall, as has been asserted. He has bean too
impatient Of delay, 1t Is said, to desire any
further postponsment.', Ths wisdom of his
objection to the landing of a small force it
is suggest; ed mas apparently been fully JUS
titled by the difficulty in locating large
enough force of insurgents to be of eff .cr.
i've service; by reports as to the condition
Ci the lnsuiSent army, and by the evidence
discovered in our Eaval operations along
the coast of Cuba of the presence of a
strong and well-armed Spanish army. 1t is
generally conceded now that had d force of
but a few thousand been landed in Cuba to
establish base of supplies they would not
have been effectively supported by the in
surscnts, and ttat a large Spanish army
could have been concentrated in an attack
upon them, which in all probability would
have been disastrous. The insurgens army,
Whateve" its siza is, Undoubtedly is greatly
IN hecd OF provisions, arms AMI ANN mi
li"N. but apparently is unable TO assist US
much III getting the needed relief II it,
II LOOKS as If the invasion Of The island
WIN d large force and the relief of the in
surgents must be coincident.
Gen. Miles himself denies that he fayors
postponlnS the invasion until fall. 1t is
GAINED by those close to him that he has
from The first favored a speedy invasion.
and is yet of the opinion that it should
be done. He realizes, it is said, that $1,000
soldiers are not yet equipped for the work.
but thinks that smaller number could be
sent over at once