The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-06

Kansas City. Sept. 6.-Monday's Star
had the following from it's special war
correspondent. w. j. Whelpley. touch
ing on the Alger-Miles controversy: The
statement made emi-officially from
Washington that Major General Miles
was not In command OF the Santiago
expedition 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 General Garcia, but
was then recognized by the war depart
ment as general commanding even of
General Skaters army.
The details of General Skaters actuaI
equipment and method of movement
were naturally left to shafter, but gen.
eral plan was devised by General Miles
and directions were issued to General
Sha6ter by him which. after leaving
Tampa with the full knowledge that he
was subject to orders from General
Miles. and up to that time the war de-
partment recognized this state of affairs.
which is provided for in the federal stat
utes. organising the army of the United
States.
The above Is shown. according to The
Star. by three kilograms. The first of
these II from General Miles to General
Garcia, and follows:
Dear General-I am very glad to have
received your officers, General Enrique
Collazo and Lieutenant Colonel Carlos
Hernandez, the latter Of whom returns
tonight with our best wishes for your
success. 1t would be a very great as
sistance II you could have as large a
force as possible In the vicinity OF the
harbor OF Santiago de Cuba and COM
municate any information, by signals,
which Colonel Hernandez will explain to
Hou. either to our navy or to our army
on its arrival. which we hope will be be-
fore many days. 1t would also assist us
very much IL you could drive in and
harass any Spanish troops near or in
Santiago de Cuba. threatening or attack,
Ing thtm at all points, and preventing by
every means any possible reinforce
ments coming to that garrison. While
this is being done and before the arrival
of our army, II 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,
1t will be exceedingly gratifying to us.
The second dispatch is Garcia's reply,
showing. The Star asserts. an under
standing with General Miles as to a plan
OF campaign. 1t follows:
4 Will take measures ax once to carry
out your recommendation, but concen-
tration Of force will require sometime.
Roads bad and Cubans scattered. Will
mysterious? without delay. Santiago
de Cuba well fortified with advanced in
trenchments. but good artillery position
can be taken. Spanish force approxi
mate 10000 between Santiago de Cuba
and Guantanamo; 5000 militia. Will
maintain Cuban force near Holguin, to
prevent sending reinforcements to San
tiago.
The third dispatch is from the war de-
partment at Washington and reads:
The following extra1( of telegram Ad-
miral Sampson TO secretary of navy re-
peated for your information:
General Miles letter received through
Colonel Hernandez on June 6. Garcia
regards his wishes and suggestions as
orders, and Immediately will take meas
ures to concentrate forces at the points
indicated. but ne is unable to 90 so as
early as desired on account OF his ex-
petition TO Banesport. Cuba, but he will
march without delay. All OF his sub
ordinates are ordered TO assist to disem-
bark the United States troops and to
place themselves under orders. santi-
ago well fortified with advanced en-
trenchments. but he believes position for
artillery can be taken as Miles desires.
tApproximatel 12,o0o regulars and 5000
militia between Santiago and Gnantan-
amo. He has sent force in order to pre-
vent aid going to Santiago from Holg1in.
Repeats every assurance Of good will
and desire to second plan.