Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-20
PRESIDENT T0ON ACTION
Ordered Proper CONVOY for the Porto Rico
Expedition.
Gen. Miles Complained That Admiral
Sampson Seemed Indisposed to
Heartily Cooperate.

l Auditl0Hdl COTISSpOhueHC0j IN regard 10
| the campaigns in the Philippines, Cuba and
| Porto Rico, just published by the War De-
| partment, includes a mass of letters and
| kilograms not contained in previous reports
| to the War or Navy Department.
There is nothing specially new or inter-
esting in the correspondence, except the
| two subjoined dispatches, which show that
! a controversy arose between Gen Miles and
Admiral Sampson in regard to the move
ment against Porto Rico and that the
| former was obliged to appeal to the Presi-
| dent to procure what he considered a suit
able naval convoy for the protection Of the
| troop ships:
PLAYA DEL ESTE, July 20, 1888.
| Secretary War, Washington:
Admiral Sampson came on board the Yale
| this morning He had not at that time
| seen the order of Secretary Long. He was
| furnished copy of it, and after sending to
| his flagship found the order there / asked
/ him to give us as strong a force of the
navy as possible in the movement against
| Porto Rica He said he would inform me
later.
| AT 5 o'clock he came on board and stated
| that he would furnish to assist our landing
| the Yale and Columbia These are the two
| ships with which we left Charleston s. c.
| He said that the Columbia would take
| three or four days to coal. He also stated
| that he would give us the Cincinnati, but
| does not know where she is Also the New
Orleans, if she is now at San Juan.
L
! there is nothing 20 prevent the small Span
| ish gunboats coming out of that harbor and
attacking the transports en- route, and it is
| highly important that she should remain,
| blockading that harbor while we land at
Point Fajardo, Cape San Juan.
! This assures but two vessels to cover our
| landing and these are loaded with troops.
| The Columbia and Yale could not silence a
piece of artillery on shore without riskng
| the lives of from 300 to 1900 Of Garretson' s
| Brigade on board. This, in my judgment
| is not in accordance with the order of Sec
| rotary Long-to give such assistance as is
necessary for landing or in accordance
| with your telegram of the 18th.
| 1 think you and the President should be
appraised of the fact that, while these ten
| transports, loaded with troops and NUM-
| tons of war, are waiting here, great por-
| ton Of the American navy are within cam
| non shot of this place, and some of them
actively engaged in bringing into this har-
| Dor vessels which were captured by and
| surrendered to the army.
There are bate ships enough here to en-
! able US to land within cannon shot of the
| city of San Juan. I request that positive
| orders be given to the navy to cover the
landing of at least 10000 troops on the IS
| land of Porto Rico without delay, as that
number will be there within a week.
| NELSON A. MILES,
Major General Commanding.
| Executive Mansion, Washington, July 20,
1898.
Hon John D. Long, Secretary of the Navy.
| Sir-I hand you a dispatch just received
| from Gen. Miles. 1t is evident to me from
| this dispatch that Admiral Sampson is not
proposing to furnish such assistance as
| have heretofore directed.
He should send enough ships and strong
| enough as will enable Gen.. Miles to land
| his troops in safety at Point Fajardo. Cape
| San Juan, and to remain SO long as their
assistance is needed. &c
Gen. Wilson has already sailed from
Charleston with orders to proceed to Point
| Fajardo. If your convoy is delayed he will
reach Point Fajardo without any protection
whatever, which must not be permitted.
Wilson cannot be reached by wire. He has
no guns on his ships. IT,
The Secretary of War says that Gen. VIII
| son is due to arrive1at Point Fajardo in
three four days. Prompt action should
be taken to give Gena Wilson protection on
| his arrival there. 1t seems to me cruiser
| or battleshp, or both, should be detailed
| for this duty. p;
Please that the necessary orders are
issued at once.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.