The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-12

I warships were lying in wait for the trans
| ports. The report shows that General
Miles was to land on the north coast of
Cuba after subjugating the island Of
Porto Rico. -
The following is Secretary Alger's reply
| to the questions of the war Investigating
commission:
Washington, October 6.
TO Major Dodge:
Sir:-I have the honor herewith to hand
you information desired from the secre-
tary of war as referred to in your letter
of September 81, 1898.
Very respectfully,
r. A. ALGEK, Secretary of War.
1.-Plan of campaign proposed lmme-
diately after the declaration of war.
| Was it intended to move at once on
Havana or that the campaign should be
postponed until the autumn? Answer
Immediate blockade by the navy of inn
portant ports of Cuba as dire cted by the
Presidents proclamation. TIE holding
of troops at points nearest Cuba to bs
available in any emergency which migh5
arise especially to be ready for prompt
assistance In case the operations OF the
navy should make the use of land forces
desirable. Early in May a plan was par
TALLY matured to land force at Manic,
point about 26 miles west Of Havana,
reports having been received that in its lIn-
| mediate vicinity were high grounds SUIT,
able for camping of troops preparing for
movement upon Havana later ii it was
deemed advisable. the thought being
that possibly an assault might be made
upon the forces defending. that city
| before the rainy season set in.N Orders
we're issued to that effect of May 9, but
subsequently plans were changed on &C.
count of further information that there
would be great danger to thehealth OF the
troops in that vicinity and also on ac-
count Of the uncertainty OF movements OF
enemy's fleet. It was then determined
to keep the forces in the United States
at points as near Cuba as possible for i'm
mediate embarkation should an emer-
gency demand it. The Santiago cam
paign proved to be that emergency. 1t
should be added further that it was be.
lieved after consultation with medical
ern states during the summer would be-
come somewhat acoiimatlzed for their
service in Cuba.
2-When was the Santiago campaign de-
termined upon? Answer-The Santiago
campaign was made necessary BY the
presence of Admiral Cervera's fleet in
Santiago harbor. but had probably been
contemplated as one point on the coast
where a reconnaissance was to be made to
ascertain the strength of the enemy in
the different localities in eastern Cuba.
The immediate destruction OF Admiral
Cervera's fleet was necessary and TO
enable the navy to accomplish this the
military force under Major General Shaf-
ter, U. S. ", was directed to move at
once on the city and province or Sant1a-
20. This movement was hastened by rea.
son of q telegram received from Admiral
Sampson en- June I, stating that he had
bonn barded the forts at Santiago June
6 and stlenced works quickly and If 10000
men were there, city and fleet could be
captured within forty -elght hours.
(See copies of kilograms herewith at
tached marked A, b, q, ID, L, +, G, H.)
1t is proper to state that after the date
of this message, the Spanish garrison
was largely reinforced. Ihe opinion OF
Admiral Sampson was doubtless correct
at the time. The troops sailed from
Tampa on June IA, 1895, with 49, 9SS Off
3.-Why was Tampa selected as the base
of operations? Answer-On account OF
the shipping facilities at that point and
its comparatively short distance from
| Cuba, rendering any movement OF the
troops possible on short notice as the
progress of the blockade or any other
sudden condition might require.
| 4-Why were summer camps organized
at Ferdinandina. Jacksonville and Tam
pa? Answer-All of the early camps in
| the South were selected with special re-
] gard for the health of the troops, and their
convenience for prompt movement by
rail and water. The camp at Berdinan-
dina was organized on the recommends
tion Of the Major General commanding
The armv. The camp at Jacksonville was
selected on the recommendation of Major
General Lee, U. S. ". commanding sew
enth army corps. Copy Of telegram
herewith attached, marked I. A perma-
nent camp was never contemplated at
Tampa. Troops were sent there prepara-
t,,,,v Han hos
ready for any emergency, and later to
embark for Porto Rico, and upon the
signing of the protocol, the troops being
no longer required at Tampa, were sent
to Huntsville, Ala, camp selected by
| officers detailed to ascertain best camping