The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-30
NILES VERSUS bLGER
Additional Chapter in the
Pending Controversy
WHETHER MILES ROASTED
AIger or Not, and It so Was
He Justified?
WHETHER MILES ROASTED

/ ley, its special war correspondent, WIZ
mas Just returned from Porto Rico, bear
! ing upon the Miles-Alger controversy.
| Mr.. Whelpley takes occasion to deny the
| interview in Portoshrdluetaoinunun
/ statement that his recently published
| interview in Porto Rico with General
Miles, wherein the latter was quoted as
casting reflections upon the war depart
lnent, vas not genuine, and in support
of The statements already made by it the
Star prints interesting kilograms that
passed between the war department and
Generals Miles and Shafter on the points
at issue.
Doubt is expressed by some" said
Mr.. Whelpley, as to whether General
Miles ever said these things I credit him
with Others suggest that he may have
sand them in confidence which was be-
trayed.
4 feel confident continues the cor
respondent that General Miles Will
nd by the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
stand by the interview referred to. Ny
talk with him was not confidential. 1
went to him as a newspaper reporter,
for the avowed and express purpose OF
securing an interview. There were no
reserva lions from publication in the in
terview. This IS proved by his refusal
to answer some questions which he
would have answered had this not been
so. ThereT was no hint of condolences.
In this instance, however. no ques-
ton OF veracity need arise. General
Miles himself, even if he SO desired, could
Of all ha Z
is written in the records of the war de-
partment, and it only needs the clear
ing away of inconsequent matter to tell
the story clearly and in full. The Stars
article says:
That General Miles was in command
of the entire army when in Washington
of course is evident. That he did not
resign this supreme command when he
Wetn to Tampa and that it was he who
was treating with the Cubans for coop
Grafton in Cuba is shown by numerous
kilograms exchanged with General Gar
cha. The war department recognized
Miles as chief when hew as in Tampa,
for on June u a telegram was sent to
him from Washington which begins:
The following extract of telegram
from Admiral Sampson to secretary of
navy is repeated for your information,
etc.
When General Shafter went to Cuba
and General Miles returned to Washing
ton the latter did not resign control of
the situation, but, on the contrary, kept
in as close touch as possible by wire
with the movements of Shafters COM
mend.
ION the 4th Of July General Shafter
sent the following dispatches to Wash
ington, addressed to the adjutant gem
eral:
Hea dquarters Fifth Army Corps,
IN Camp Near Santiago de Cuba, July 4.
There seems to be no reasonable doubt
bat that General Pando succeeded in en-
tering Santiago last night with his force.
said 10 be about 5000 men
g This puts a different aspect upon af.
fairs and while we can probably main
tain ourselves, it would be at the cost of
very considtra bic fighting and loss.
General Lawton reports that General
Garcia, who was to block entrance of
Pando. informed him last night that
Pardo had passed in on the Cobra. road.
Garcia to obey instructions to place them
selves in any position where they will
have to fight and that If we intend to re-
duce Santiago we will have 10 DEFEND
alone upon our own troops and that we
will require twice tie number we now
have.
g 1 sent a rnessas &c to Admiral Samp-
son asking If he proposed entering the
harbor so as 10 give US his assistance
Commodore Watson replies that he does
lot know AGm:ral Simpsons intentions
since the destruction of the Spanish
squadron, but does not think himself the
feet should try to go into the harbor Of
Santiago. This. under the circumstances.
is not very encourag ing.
Have been expecting a division from
Tampa and Dufields second brigade
from Camp Alger but only a small num-
Der Of recruits have appeared so far. II
We have 10 go to try to reduce the town
now that the fleet IS DESTROYED. which |
was stated to be the chief object of ths |
expedition. there must be no delay in !
getting large bodies Of troops here.
The town is in terrible condition /
as 20 food. and people are starving. as
stated by foreign ConSuls this morning
but the troops can nght. and have a !
large quantity OF rice but no ,other sup
plies.
There will be nothing done until
noon Of the 5th, and I suppose I can put
Them off little longer TO enable. people !
70 get out Country here is destitute OF
food or growing crops except manages.
Men are in good spirits. though II IS
hard 10 tell how long the latter Will con-
;inue.
an sorry 10 say that I an no bet /
ter and, in addition to my weakness. can
not boot on account OF my slight attack /
o. govt. but hope to be better soon.
Lieutenant Miley had interview with
conSu!s this morning. and his report viii /
oe telegraphed Immediately do 1t-
send this in cipher. as ;ine is precious I
Shafter. Major General
L Was ms situation which determined 1
General Niles . 90 - Cr,hs 7-a - 4
lie sailed VIII -ei1:orceneats. July h 1
icgtc1:
General Shafter. Santiago. Cuba. /
1-'l>e every p7ecaut-on asaiAst surprise (
ana - on The lookout tza- TIE enemy 4
c2es no' cu-1 your right flank and coma /
IN on tee line % your Communication.
tfe--2torcenents are beng sent forward as 4
rapidly as possi De. but you VIII have .
u % the 5ls1se % the position you are
70 rod untsl rea1fo-ceznents can reach I
You Niles. Major Genera conula1d.ug
'Gieae.yal Niles sailed Tor Cuba. On +
July Il. IL noon. BE reported IS safe .
arrival 90 cse var department and =