The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-09-14
NILES COMMANDED h1 SANTIAGO.
LEFT GLORY TO SHAFTER.
ne War Department Hsi Ordered Him 10 Accept Gen.
Tsrsrs Surrender, which Hs esnsrsusiy DE-
siinsd 10 Ds-Wss Net visitsr In Cuba.


on the steamer Obdam at New York
last Wednesday. That the general was
In command of the Santiago forces at
the time of Toral's surrender Is veri-
fled In an interview granted to n cor
respondent by the general.
General Miles stated that on the third
day OF July Gen. Shafter telegraphed
that his losses had been greatly under
estimated, that he met with stronger
resistance than he had anticipated ard
that he was seriously considering the
advisability of falling back to POSI-
tion five miles to the rear and that he
had been unable to be up during the
heat for four days.
Under such circumstances Gen. Miles
telegraphed Gen. Shafter that he
would be with him within week with
strong reinforcements of course, taxi
ing the troops prepared for the second
expedition which had been ordered by
the president to operate against the
enemy In Cuba as well as in Porto Rico.
Under verbal instructions of the presi-
dent, Gen. Miles was directed to go
wherever he deemed his presence was
required and that he should give such
directions as in his opinion were best
for the army and the government.
These were the circumstances under
which Gen. Miles left Washington, ar
irving at Santiago July II, not as
private individual nor as visitor.
Any pretense that he went there dis
| robed OF his authority or official ca
pacity is too childish to be considered
by sensible men. From the moment
he arrived at Santiago he was respon-
| sible for what might occur.
He then proceeded to the front and
after consulting with Gen. Shafter.
note was sent to the Spanish COM
mander by Gen. Shafter saying that
the commanding general of the United
States army had arrived In his camp
with strong reinforcements, and would
meet him between the lines at any
hour agreeable to him. The reply of
the Spanish commander was that he
would meet him at 12 o'clock next
morning. The meeting was held, and
| after some conversation between Gen.
Shafter and Gen. Torai, Gen. Miles
frankly informed the Spanish general
that he had left Washington six days
before and that IT was then the deter
minatlcn OF the government that this
portion Of the Spanish army must be
captured or destroyed.
Gen. Toral replied that so long as he
had rations and ammunition he had to
fight In order to maintain the honor OF
the Spanish army. In response to that
he was informed that he had already
| maintained the honor of the Spanish
army and that further efforts would
be useless and would result In the
wanton sacrifice OF human life He
begged for longer time and earnestly
requested until IL o'clock next day.
This was finally granted by Gen. Miles,
the meeting dissolved and the officers
separated. on returning from this
| conference a dispatch was received by
Gen. Miles from Washington as fol-
lows:
washington. d. c.. July 10, 1898.
| Mai. j.-Gen. Miles-You may accept
surrender by granting parole to officers
and men after parole to be permitted
to return to Spain, the United States
assisting. II not accepted, then as
sault unless In your judgment an as
sault would fail. Consult with Samp-
son and pursue such course as to the
assault as you Jointly agree upon. Mat
ter should be settled promptly.
| II. A. ALGER, Secretary OF War
"This," the statement says. docs
not look as II Gen. Miles was there as
II visitor. He was charged with re-
sponsiblity OF ordering an assault up
on the entertainments and fortinca-
tions OF an army, which. IL successful
would have cost at least 5000 lives, OF
of withholding the assault II In his
judgment such assault would fail.
mo greater discretion was ever
given to any general commanding al
army, and what Is more, as will be OBJ.
served, he was authorized to accept
the surrender, which in the interest OF
his subordinates, he generously de-
clined to do, and went away leaving al
the honor to his next in rank, Gen
| Shafter.