The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-06
THE STARS DETAILS
LEAVING TAMPA, SHAFTER SET
NILES INSTRUCTIONS ASIDE.
THREE VERY IMPORTANT TELEGRAMS
Prove that Miles not Only Conducted PreIimi-
naries with Garcia butwas Recognized
by War Department as Gen.
aroI in Command
eraI in Command.

eral in Command.
Kansas City, Mo-, September 5.-The
Star this afternoon prints the following
from it's special war correspondent. Mr..
". J. Whelpley, touching on the Alger-
Miles controversy:
"The statement made semi-officially
from Washington that Major General
Miles was not in command of the San
tiago expedition up to the time it left
Tampa, is not borne ont by the official
records of the War Department These
records prove that Miles, not only con-
Quoted the preliminaries with General
Garcia, but was then recognized by the
War Department as General Command
ing. even General Skaters army.
"The details of General Shafter's ac-
tual equipment and method of move
ment were naturally left to Shafter, but
d general plan was devised by General
Miles and directions We're issued to Gem
eral Shafter by him which, after leav
ing Tampa. the latter entirely ignored.
General Shafter left Tampa with the
full knowledge that he was subject tol
orders from General Miles, and up tol
that time the War Department recog-
nized this state of affairs which is pro-
yided for in the Federal statutes, or
ganizing the army of the United States. =
The above is shown, according to thel
Star by three kilograms The first OIL
these telegramcs is from General Miles
to General Garcia and is as follows:
Headquarters Of the Army. in the field, |
Tampa, Fla, june 2nd, 1898.
Lieutenant General Garcia, Cuban
Army:
Dear General: / am very glad to-
have received your offers through Gen.
Enrique Colazo and Lieutenant Colonel
Carlos Hernandez, the latter of whom
returns tonight with our best wishes
for your success.
1T would be very great assistance
if you could have as large a force as
possible in the vicinity of the harbor of
Santiago de Cuba and communicate any
information, by signals, which Colonel
Hernandez will explain to you, either toI
our navy or to our army on its arrival,
which we hope will be before many
days.
1T would also assist us very much ii
you could drive in and harrass any
Spanish troops near or in Santiago de
all points, and preventing by every
means any possible reinforcements com
ing to that garrison. While this is be-
ing done, and before the arrival of
our army, if you can seize and hold any
commanding position to the east or
west of Santigo, or both, that would
be advantageous fog the use of our
artillery, it will be exceedingly gratify-
ing to us With great respect and best
wishes.
II remain, very respectfully.
(Signed)
"NELSON A. MILES,
'sMajor General Commanding, U. $.
Army. f4g5s
The second dispatch is Garcia's re-
ply, showing, the Star asserts, an under
standing with General Miles as to
plan of campaign. 1t follows:
Mole St Nicholas. June 8, 1893, via
Washington, ID. c.:
'"To General Miles, Headquarters of the
Army, Tampa, Fla:
"Garcia's reply on June 9th to yours
letter June 2nd:
Will take measures at once to carry
out your recommendation, but cOncen-
tration of forces will require some time.
Roads bad and Cubans scattered VIII
march without delay San
tiago de Cuba well fortified, with adj
vanced intrenchments, but good artil-
lery position can be taken. Spanish
forces approximate $4,000 between San
tiago de Cuba and Guantanamo; 5000
militia Will maintain Cuban force near
Holguin to prevent sending reinforce
ments to Santiago.
''The above given to me by Admiral
Sampson to forward to you.
(Signed) ALLEN,
Lieutenant Colonel"
The third dispatch is from the War
Department at Washington and reads:
Washington, ID. c., June i, 1898.
major General Miles, Tampa, Fla:
''The following EXTRACTOR telegram
from Admiral Sampson to the Secretary
of the Navy is repeated for your infof-
nation:
"'Mole ST Nicholes, Hayti.
"tGeneral Miles letter received
through Colonel Hernandez on June 9th.
Garcia regards his wishes and sugges-
tions as orders and Immediately will
take measures to concentrate forces dt
the points indicated, but he is unable to
do so as early as desired on account
of his expedition to Banes Port Cuba
but he will march without delay. All
of his subordinates are ordered to as
sst to disembark the United States
troops and to place themselves under
orders. Santiago de Cuba is well for
titled, with advanced entrenchments, but