The times., 1898-06-18
al. Gen. Miles returned to Washington

Maj. Gen. Miles returned to Washington
yesterday. ''ss~e-A 1'--- s'.-"---
He arrived at $50 o'clock and was ac-
companied by three OF his staff officers,
Col. Maus. Major Davis and DR. Green
leaf. The remainder of the staff was left
at Tampa
Gen. Miles was driven to the War De-
partment Immediately after his arrival.
Since his departure for Tampa several
weeks ago the magnificent suite of rooms
known as army headquarters and occu-
pied by the general and his staff officers
have been practically deserted The doors
were locked and but few persons ten
anted that portion Of the great building,
other than the watchman.
Early yesterday morning the doors and
windows of the rooms were thrown open
in anticipation of the arrival of the gen.
erai, and there was constant stream
of visitors all day long. - sta.,,9
Few. however. succeeded in seeing the
general He was closeted with Secretary
Alger for two 4heafs. after his arrival.
After this conference Gen Miles. accom-
panied Secreary Alger to the White House
anu was pTeSeHl dt tHS regular fFlday
Cabinet meeting. s..
He explained the condition of things at
Tampa and gave suggestions concerning
proposed movements.
Having spent several weeks with the ar
my and being the eoniHaanaer.in-e he
was in positian-t Ia get hlrds=eYe view
of the entire military situation, and it was
for this reason that he was summoned
to Washington by the Preident.
Considerably. attention was. given during
Gen. Miles's conference with the Presi-
dent to the causes which brought about
the recent congestion of railroad cars at
Tampa. Gen. Miles looked into the situa-
tion fully. and is said to have placed the
responsibility on the railrods.
One of the chief troubles was the lack
of facilities at Tampa in the way of
tracks and sidings for the rapid handling
of the thousands of cars which were
rushed there with supplies. The result
was a deplorable tumble of trains, and
thousands of inaccessible, cars.
Late in the afternoon. what is believed
to have been an important conference,
was held in the Office of the Secretary of
ant Secretary Aeiklejo Adjt. Gem Cor
bin, Major Hopkins and Col. Greenleaf
were present.
The latter were of the special camp
commission
The matters considered were the Por-
to Rico invasion, the sending Of re-en-
forcements to Santiago, the securing of
transports for the same and preparation
of the point OF embarkation.
The commission yesterday made it's re-
port but Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn
stated that il is not quite ready for pub
lication. Fernandina win probably be
the place selected. II is already being
prepared for the reception OF troops.
Gen. Miles was seen aftersthe- confer
ence was over, but refused TO discuss
what had been considered. Neither would
ne discuss any army movements.
When asked about the condition of af-
fairs at Tampa. he said:
The troops down there were in excel
lent condition when L left. They are
being more thoroughly equipped and are
rapidly being prepared for field service
They were sent in the field by the re-
spective states. many Of them, as men and
not as soldiers. Some had no clothing and
no equipment 1t requires time to mold
men into the proper military organization
The condition of affairs is now very ia
vorable."
One of the members of Gen Miles's
staff who returned with him spoke of the
Tampa situation as follows:
about 1900 men have been left behind
at Tampa by Gen. Skaters army. OF
this number there ara about u 00) volun-
teers and 5000 regulars Included among
the latter are the Fifth. Second and Tenth
Cavalry and the Second Infantry.
capt. Abeldgaard, who has been OBJ
serving the army at the front for the
kingdoms of Norway and Sweden, and
another of the foreign representatives
who has studied every European army,
told Major General Miles before leaving
with the Santiago expedition that they
had never seen an army composed of bet
ter material.
THE Santiago expedition is in general
way one of the best ever assembled by
this country. Most of the men are thor
oughly hardened. all are fully equipped
They are physically put up well and the
same may be said of the volunteers now
at Tampa.
The best of spirits was also noticeable
among all the men. Notwithstanding the
delay in getting off not a single murmer
was heard among the troops
THE departure of the expedition was an
impressive sight. AS each Transport moved
off the men on other transports cheered
them enthusiastically, while the bands
were playing the. Star Spangled Banner
most OF the time. An immense amount of
spirit and patriotism was shown by the
soldiers during the embarkation.
Many of the cavalrymen left their
horses behind, but this will not hamper
the army in its movements. The march
to Santiago should not be difficult,
although the country around the place is
hilly. The very fact that 1t is hilly makes
1t unnecessary for the cavalry to have
horses. Very few cavalry movements
could be made in such a country.
THE insurgents. under Gen. Garcia.
will cooperate with Gen. Skaters army.
Capt. Dorst has completed the arrange
ments. Capt. Dorst succeeded in furnish
ing the Cubans with 1900 rifles and
100000 rounds Of ammunition
Col. Wood and Lieut. Col. Roosevelt
accompanied the expedition at the head
of two squadrops of cavalry. One SQUAD
ron of Col Woods regiment was left at
Tampa. s--y--y-- --...---.,--a-
THE newspaper men and the represen
tatives of foreign armies were embarked
or the same transport. According to the
usual custom these representatives are
furnished with. horses orderhes, tent
room and mess accommodations by the
Government. This is always done by the
great powers, and the American Govern
ment is simply reciprocating
The men at Tampa are all armed and
equipped. They are not all equipped as
fully as they will be, but there is not a
single soldier at Tampa without an arm
in his hand and supply of ammunition"
1t cannot be learned how long Gen.
Miles will remain here. His stay will be
/ indefinite. 1t will depend on future con-
ditions. S
Mr. P. Ketcham of Pike City, Cal, says: