The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-06
STANDS by his STATEMENT.
Whclpley Continues to Furnish
Proof of Its Truthfulness.


Kansas City, Mo-, Sept. 5.-The Star this
afternoon prints the following from It's
war correspondent, Mr. j. d. Whelpley,
touching on the Alger- Miles controversy:
THE statement, made semi-ohicially,
from Washington that Maj Gen. Miles
was not in command of the Santiago eX-
petition up to the time it left Tampa is
not borne out by the official records of
the war department.
THESE records prove that Miles not only
conducted the preliminaries with Gen. Gar
cia, but was then recognized by the war
department as general commanding even
Gen. Skaters army.
THE details of Gen Skaters actual
equipment and method of movement were
naturally left to Gen. shafter but a gem
eral plan was devised by Gen. Miles and
directions were issued to Gen. Shafter
by him, which, after leaving Tampa, the
latter entirely ignored. Gen. Shafter left
Tampa with the fun knowledge that he
was subject to orders from Gen. Miles,
and up to that time the war department
recognized this statement of affairs, which
is provided for In the federal statutes or
ganzing the army of the United States"
The above is shown, according to the
Star by three kilograms. The first of these
kilograms Is from Gen. Miles to Gen. Gar
cia, as follows:
Headquarters of The Army in the Field.
Tampa, Fla, June 2, 1S9S.-Lieut. Gen.
Garcia, Cuban Army: Dear General-I am
very glad to have received your officers,
inn Vol I
los Hernandez, the latter Of whom returns
tonight with our best wishes for your
success.
1T would be a very great assistance If
you could have as large force as pos
| slble in the vicinity of the harbor of Sanu-
! ago de Cuba and communicate any infor-
nation, by signals which Col Herman
DEE VIII explain TO you, either TO our navy
or TO our army on its arrival, which we
nope VIII be before many days
1t would also assist US very much IL
you could drive in and harass any Span
lsh troops near or in Santiago de Cuba
threatening or attacking them at all points
| and preventing by every means any pos
sibie renforcements coming to that gar
rison. While this Is being done and before
the arrival of our army, if you can seize
and hold any commanding position to the
east or west Of Santiago, or both, that
would be advantageous for the use Of
our artillery. It will be exceedingly graft
! Tying 10 us. With great respect and best
wishes l remain, very respectfully,
Nelson A. Miles,
Major General. COMMANDING United
States Army"
The second dispatch Is Gen. Garcia's re-
ply showing, the Star asserts, an under
standing with Gen. Miles as to a plan
OF campign. 1t follows:
| Mole st. Nicholas, June g. 1895 via
! Washington.-To Gen. Miles, Headquarters
of Army, Tampa, Fla: Cen Garcia's
reply on June TO your letter, June Q.
! viii take measures at once to carry out
! your recommendation, but eoncentra ton
Of force will require some time. Roads
! are bad and Cubans will (mysterjousD
march without delay. Santiago de Cuba
| IS well fortified with advanced intrench-
ments, but good artillery position can be
taken. Spanish force approximate 1900 be-
tween Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo;
! 5000 militia. WIN maintain Cuban force
| near Iloiguin to prevent sending reinforce
ments to Santiago"
The above given to me by Admiral
| Sompson to forward to you Allen
Lieutenant Colonel"
| The third dispatch is from the war dc.
partment at Washington, and reads:
| washington, June r. q 1S9S-Mat Cen
Miles, Tampa, Fla: The following ex-
tract of telegram Admiral Sampson to Sec
/ rotary of Navy repeated for your infor-
nation: Mole St. Nicholas, Hayu-Gen
| Miles letter received through Col Her
nandez on June 6. Garcia regards his
wishes and suggestions as orders, and
| Immediately will take measures to concen-
trate forces at 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 dc.
lay. All of his subordinates are ordered
to assist to disembark the United States
| troops and to place themselves under or
ders. Santiago well fortified with advanc
ed entertainments, but he believes position
for artillery can be taken as Miles desires
| approximate 1900 regulars and 1900 mi
| lita between Santiago and Guantanamo
He has sent force in order to prevent aid
going to Santiago from Holguin Re
peats every assurance of good viii and
desire to second plans.-Sampson'
-. G. Gilmore,
Assistant AuJutant General
|