San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-05-11
GENERALS BROOKE, BLISS AND
FORSYTH ARE ENDEAVQR-
ING TO GET 1T.
Gen. Brooke, By Seniority Of CON-
mani, Is Entitled To The Pro-
motion And Is Likely
To Receive The Ap-
lOintment.

Chicago, May L-Brig. Gen. John S.
Brooke, commanding the department
of the Missouri, is absent from his
post. He is in Washington by order
of the secretary of war and it is said
he is to assume the command of the
army. No such distinction has ever
bestowed on an officer of his rank since
the days just after the revolutionary
war, when for years lieutenant was
in command of the remnant of the con-
tinental army. Gen. Miles, the senior
major is off for Europe to get a sight
of the war abroad and Gen. Merritt
has been granted leave of absence to
cross the seas. This leaves the army
without a major general. Gen. Brooke
not yet being rankd as major general,
is ordered to Washington as a briga-
der general presumably to take COM
mand of the army. Gen. Brooke
is the senior brigadier general of the
army and his selection for the COM
mand OF the army in the absence of
Generals Miles and Merritt abroad
would indicate that he will be the
next major general. the successor of
Gen. Frank Wheaton.
Washington, May 11.-Gen. Brooke,
commander of the department of the
Missouri, is in Washington. He is
stopping at the home of Senator Quay.
When seen in regard to the report that
the general is to assume command of
the army during the absence of Major
General Miles in Europe, Gen. Ruggles
the adjutant general of the army, said
that no such order had been issued by
the war department. When asked,
however if such an order was in con-
temptation he said it was a matter
which he preferred not TO discuss for
publication.
The army at present is without a
commander. Gen. Miles is on the
ocean and does not expect to return
to this country for several months.
Secretary Alger is nominally in COM
mand, though orders are being issued
by the adjutant general. When Gen.
Miles received permission 10 go abroad
it was believed that the army would
get along during his absence without
a commander, though the secretary of
war expected to transfer Gen. Merritt
to Washington in case the services of
a commanding officer were needed.
About the time Gen. Miles decided
to go abroad, Gen. Merritt, who was
commander of the department of the
east asked for leave of absence NTH
permission to go beyond the seas. This
was granted.
1t is believed by army officers that
Gen. Brooke has come here on mat
ter of much greater Importance to him
self than the temporary command of
the army. Gen. Wheaton retired
Saturday and the president has under
consideration the appointment of
major general. Gen. Brooke is justly
entitled to the honor. He was the
senior officer a month ago when Gen
Ruggles retired and was then entitled
to promotion. Brig. Gen. Wheaton
was to retire soon. however, and it
was decided to promote him so hemight
retire with the highest rank. 1t was
that Gen. Brooke should
have his promotion when Gen. Whea-
ton reired. Gen. FOrsythe, however, |
who commands the department of |
California and Gen. Bliss, who COM |
mands the department of Texas, have |
both applied for the vacant major |
on the ground that they |
will retire before Gen. Brooke and
they should be permitted to enjoy the
honor of the highest rank for the
same reason that it was u month ago
given to Gen. Wheaton. While Gen.
Brooke's friends say it is well enough
10 adopt this plan in case Of General
Wheaton who had only a month to
serve, it would not be fair to apply it
70 Gen. Forsythe or Gen. Bliss, whose
ength of service runs until 1898 and
1893 respectively.