The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-30
General Miles Informed of His
SucceSsorship to Sehofield, -
WITH The RANK OF GENERAL.
Grade of Lieutenant General EXPIRES
With Sehofield's Retirement.
six Generals, Washington, scott. Grant.
sherman. sheridan and ~chofieId.
Have Held 1t General Ruger VIII
Probably succeed Him in the De-
partment OF the East.

New York. Sept. 2a.-There is now no
longer any doubt that Mai Gen. Miles is
TO succeed Lieut.. Gen. Scho;ield in the Of
fee OF general in command OF the United
States army. Gen. Miles made a state
ment OF the fact tonight TO reporter OF
the Associated Press. saying that he was
Informed OF the presidents determination
10 appoint him on Friday. by the secre-
tary of war. whom he had met here by
special appointment at the Metropolitan
Club. Gen. Schofeld retired from active
service at noon today. and il Is probable
that the appointment of Gen. Miles viii
be announced tomorrow or very shortly.
The general will go To Washington City TO
assume the duties of his high position.
The announcement Will set at rest all
other rumors which have been going the
rounds during the past week concerning
Gen. SChohelds probable successor. There
was an impression in some quarters that
the office of general of the army might
be left vacant for some time. as there is
no requirement of Law for such posi-
tion, and as there are precedents for Ieav-
ing it untitled. Only once since the army
was organized in I7S9. however. has the
president failed TO appoint the senior gen
eral 10 the command of the army.
When Gen. Miles was seen by a reporter
Of the Associated Press at his headquar-
ters he spoke freely of his appointment.
MY informant SaiN the general. NdS
Secretary Lamont, whom I met by special
appointment at the Metropolitan club in
New York last Friday. Naturally. ! was
much gratified. In a sense. however, my
appointment Is not promotion. as the
grade of lieutenant general becomes eX-
tinct with the retirement Of Gen. Scho-
field. | viii enter upon my duties with as
little delay as possible. in fact, as soon as
the secretary issues the order aunounc-
ing my appointment.
In leaving here | do so with many re-
grets This IS the pleasantest post | ever
had Although in the very heart OF civil
ization. It IS as much retired as If u were
hundreds Of miles away. instead of being
within Gunshot Of the metropolis. Then.
too. the peop'e Of New York and Brooklyn
have been very hospita5le and | shall
leave them with many social obligations
Gen Miles was asked whether he would
recommend any changes in the army He
replied that r he 50 contemplated II would
hardly be proper 10 discuss them at this
time
The general would make no direct re-
p'y 10 the question whether he thought
the grade Of lieutenant general might he
revived in his case, as in that OF Gen.
Schofeid When asked whether Gen. Ru-
ger would succeed him in command Of the
Department Of the East he replied
That is the general impression but nf
course I cannot speak authoritativeiy.
The rank Of lieutenant general expires
with Gen. Schohed's retirement. as il is
grade only created BY special act Of con-
gress in recognition Of distinguished ser
wees. II has been bestowed upon six gen
erals-Wa Washington. Scott. Grant sherman.
Sheridan and Schofield. Gen Mics has
received all his military training on the
field of experience instead Of IN the
schools. He viii he the first general for
many years who was not West Point
graduate. and as the West Pointers are
reputed to esteem themselves the aristoc-
racy Of the army. it has been reported that
a volunteers antecedents would initiate
against his appointment. so far as the IN
fiuence of the army circles had 70 do with
II.
Washington City. Sept. 2a-Secretary La
mont declined TO make any statement to-
night regarding Gen. Miles prospective ap-
pointment 10 succeed Gen. Schofield as gen
eral OF the army hut his appointment Is
generally regarded here as certain. II is
thought his commission will issue within
few davs. and that he Will thereupon
come TO Washington City at once.
The major generals from whom the So
lection might have been made are Gen
Miles, Gen Ruger. on special duty in
Washington City in connection with the
revision Of the tactical branch of the scrv-
ice and Gen Wesley Merritt. in command
Of the Department Of the Missouri, with
headquarters la Chicago or these. Cen.
Miles might fail 20 secure the appointment
because Of the alleged fact that his report
on the Chicago strike did not meet with
the presidents views This rumor Of Mr.
Cleveland's displeasure over the report was
denied ar the time by Secretary Lamont