The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-09-06
CORRESPONDENT wHEPLEY AGAIN.
More kilograms to Show That Miles Was
Head of Army at Santiago.

Kansas City, Mo-, September 5.-The Star
this afternoon prints the following from its
special war correspondent. Mr. w. j. Whepley.
touching on the Alger-Mes controversy:
The statement made semi-officialy from
Washington that Major General Miles was not
in command of the Santiago expedition I'D to
the time it left Tampa, is not borne out by the
official reports of the war department. These
records prove that Miles not only conducted
the preliminaries with Gen. Garcia. but was
then recognized by the war department as gen.
eral commanding even OF Gen. Skaters army.
The details of Gen. Skaters actual equip
ment ana method OF movement was naturally
Miles and directions were issued to Gen. Shat
ter by him, which after leaving tampa Inc lat-
ter entirely ignored. Gen. Shafter left Tampa
orders from Gen. Miles and up to tnat time the
war department recognized this state OF a11alrs
which Is provided for in the federal statutes
organizing 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. Garcia and follows:
Headquarters OF the Army 10 the Field,
Tampa, Fla, June 2, 1898. J
To Gen. Garcia, Cuban Army.
Dear General am very delighted to have
received your officers Col. Enriques Colaza and
Lieut. Col. Carlos hernandez the latter OF
whom returns tonight with our best wish s for
your success.
be very great assistanse you
vicinity of the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, and
communicate any information BY signals which
Col Hernandez will explain to you, either to
our navy or to our army upon Its arrival. which
we hope will be before many days.
1t would also assist US very much il you could
drive in and harrass any Spanish troops near
or in Santiago de Cuba threatening or attack
ing them at all points and preventing by every
means any possible achievements coming to
that garrison While this Is being done and
before the arrival of our army, If you can seize
of Santiago, or both, that would be adyanta-
geous for the use OF our artillery, 1t would be
exceedingly gratifying to us.
With great respect and wishes, | remain,
NELSON A. MILES. Major General,
Commanding u. S. A.
The second despatch is Garcia's reply show
Gen. Miles as to plan of campaign. It fol .
lows:
Mole St. Nicholas, June 9, 1898
via Washington !
VIII take measures to at once carry out your
directions. To continue the concentration of
our force will require, some time. Roads bad
Santiago de CUBA well fortified with advanced
enirenchments. But good artillery position can
be taken. Spanish force approximate 1900
between Santiago and Guantanamo, 5000 mill
tia. Will maintain Cuban force near Holguin
to prevent sending reinforcements to Santiago.
(Signed) GARCIA.
The above given me by Admiral Sampson to
forward to you.
(Signed) ALLEN, Lieut.. Col
Washington, June IL, 1898.
Gen Miles, Tampa, Fla.
The following extract of telegram from ADJ
miral Sampson to secretary OF navy repeated
for your information:
Mole St. Nicholas. Hayti.
Gen. Miles letter received through Col. Her
nandez on June 8,
Garcia regards his wishes and suggestions as
orders and Immediately will take measures to
concentrate at the points indicated but he is
unable to do so as early as desired on account
OF his expedition to Banesport, Cuba, but he
will march without delay. AL Of his subordi-
mates are ordered to assist to disembark the
United states troops and to place themselves
under orders. Santiago welfortifed with ad-
vanced intrenchments. but he believes position
for artillery can be taken as Miles desires.
approximately $4,000 regulars and militia
between Santiago and Guantanamo. He has
sent force in order to prevent aid going to San
tiago from Holguin. Repeats every assurance
S'''e0>- : : 'e'N $500 SAMPSON.
(Signed3