New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-18
A TALK WITH GEN. NILES.
CONDITION OF THE TROOPS AND PLANS
OF CAMPAIGN.


General had busy day calling on Secretary
Alger consulting the chiefs OF staff and giving
the Department the benefit of his observations
at Tampa. Secretary Alser said he entirely
satisfied with the condition of the troops as re-
ported by General Miles, and wished he had the
means TO provide every one of the volunteers
with daily surf bath. such as was enjoyed by
the men at Tampa. General Miles is yet 10
have conference with the President
In the mean time the plans are moving for-
ward steadily f.Dr sending further expeditions
both to Porto Rico and Cuba. There is little
likelihood that second expedition OF five thou-
sand men 10 reinforce General Shafter at Santi-
ago Will start within the next few days, as has
been reported. TIE necessity Of sending this
additional force is questioned by high military
officials, and the means OF transporting such
force are not available. The main consideration
just at present Is the equipment OF an expedi-
ton Of greater dimensions than any heretofore
discussed. with Porto Rico as the objective
point A month ago the military authorities
were satisfied that small force would be suffi-
cient to occupy Porto Rico, as the Spanish force
there did not exceed five thousand or six thou
sand men. Now however. the Spanish garrsons
have been so reinforced and the defences
strengthened that it is believed a much larger
officials were satisfied. on learning to-day that
the Cadiz fleet mad sailed. that the ships would
go 10 Porto Rico rather than to Cuba. II they
crossed the ocean. It pointed out that this
move would be the natural strategic one for the
Spanish commanders to take. there was still
something left for them to save in Porto Rico
INVADING EXPEDITIONS.
General Miles would speak only In the most
general way as to prospective army move
ments When asked as to recent reports that
large bodies Of troops were about to be concen-
trated at points In Florida with view TO start
ing further armies Of invasion TO Cuba. Porto
Rico and elsewhere. he said
THE military campaign Is proceeding steadily
toward its complete execution. The sending OF
one expedition OF another is but detail, .
single part Of a general plan Of campaign.
or course, It is more less right to say that
troops are about 10 be forwarded. and that ex-
petitions will be equipped and sent. That a.
most goes without saying for when we entered
upon war an aggressive campaign vas formu-
lated and approved. which contemplated the
sending Of expeditions and their cooperation
toward the successful prosecution OF the war.
Just when these expeditions will move and w
many men will accompany them. it is not de-
sirable to say now but /. is enough to state that
the campaign now entered upon is 10 be prose-
cuted with the utmost vigor until the end OF the
war"
TANGLES STRAIGHTENED OUT
General AIiless attention directed TO the
reports coming from Tampa Of great confusion
and delay in preparing the expedition and get
ting 1t off for Cuba.
Yes" said he there were causes contribute
ing 70 this delay. In the first place, the post
office service at these points Of Army concentra-
non is very deficient. They have the same facil
tiles, and no more. as the local towns have
when normal conditions exist. But when 10000
10 10000 men are added 10 the population Of the
small towns and all OF the men sending and
receiving letters from their friends and relatives
at home, besides the large amount OF official
business carried on. the local postoice facilities
are entirely inadequate. That has been one %
the troubles at Tampa, Chickamauga and other
places and as a result the official comriunics
ton to and from the War Department, on which
depends the regularity Of movements OF many
kinds Of stores has been seriously delayed.
Then, in gathering the munitions OF war for an
army II was necessary 10 have the service OF
great number Of trains loaded with stores.
crowding the meagre railroad lines far beyond
their usual capacity. However. all this is get
ting Strengthened out now. and already most
OF it has been overcome.
TROOPS AT TAMPA IN GOOD HEALTH.
The troops at Tampa are In very good health.
both those who went forward with General
shaster and those still remaining. The sick list
IS less than per cent which is an exceptionally
good record The spirit OF the men also is or
the best and this was shown in fpost marked
manner when the transports started for Cuba
last Tuesday. They were all anxious to go. ar
n,,A aha
Ing as the men marched aboard and the ships
got under way. Whenever a band played the
National air every head uncovered. The
men seer1ed 70 realize the Importance OF their
enterprise as well the patriotic respons'-
bility 1t involved
MANY ACTS OF HEEOISM
There have been many splendid acts OK
heroism, even in the brief time the troops have
been employed" continued General Miles. Lieu
tenant Rowan now lieutenant colonel ana
Lieutenant Wilcox now captain. In making
their tourney 10 Eastern Cuba and 10 Porto Rico
rave splendd Illustrations OF the courage, forti-
tude and resources Of the American soldier.
Three expeditions which carried arms to the
Cubans have developed the finest kind or cour-
age Captain Connell and Lieutenant Craw-
ford. who participated in these expeditions, were
with the Cubans during sharp engagement
With the enemy. Captain Dorsts several expe'
ditions have been Of great service TO the Gov
ernment his last one in particular bringing inn
portant results. He started from Key West
but instead Of going direct to Cuba he went
north and east OF Nassau. then turned south
and landed on the Cuban coast at port called
Banes. II has been held by the Cuoans. and Is
a good harbor. with about twenty-one rect OK
water Protected by a small gunboat Captain
rad Of
the Cuban army. including 1900 rifles. over
million CARTRIDGES and a great quantity OF
stories. A thousand Cubans came TO him while
there
COOPERATION WITH GARCIA