The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-21

Secretary AlEer Says They Are Aids-de-Cnmp
to Diplomats, and Must Obey Their Ordsrs.

to Diplomats, and must Obey Their Orders.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2o.-An interesting in
cident in diplomatic and military circles has
resulted in the issuance of instructions by
the Secretary of War defining the status Of
army officers detailed for duty with embassies
and legations of the United States abroad. 1t
all came about through q difference of opinion
between Hannis Taylor, late Minister to Spain,
and Capt. J. III. II. Peshine of the Thirteenth
Infantry. who was the military attache of the
United States Legation at Madrid during Mr..
Taylor's incumbency. Capt. Peshine had
fixed ideas about the duties Of q military ut
tachs. So had Mr.. Taylor. Their views on the
subject did not agree, and a rumpus resulted.
There was no love lost between Minister: Tay-
lor and the army officer.
When Gen. Woodford went to Spain to sue
coed Mr.. Taylor as United States Minister. Mr..
Taylor directed Capt. Peshine TO be present at
the introduction OF Gen. Woodford to the
Queen Regent. Capt. Peshine wasabsent from
Madrid on leave at tho time. He sent On an
swer to Mr.. Taylor saying that his leave had
not expired. and that, anyhow, the presenta-
ton was a social affair. and did not call for his
attendance. Mr., Taylor wrote to Secretary
taty attache. Secretary Sherman sent the let
ter to the Secretary Of War, and as a result
ruled the contention Of Capt. Peshine. A copy
Of these instructions was sent by the War De.
partnlent to every military attache abroad, and
and to the Ministers to Austria, Belgium,
Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, Spain.
Switzerland, and Turkey. all OF whom have
military attaches. Secretary Alger's ruling is
interesting. The text follows:
Each military attach6 Is, in a sense, an aide
de-camp to the Ambassador or Minister to
whose embassy or legation he Is a9pointed;
be obeyed; unless they manifestly conflict with
orders or instructions given by the Secretary OF
War. In the latter case tho military attache
will respectfully. notify the Ambassador or
Minister of the circumstance which prevent a
compliance with his orders, In which event the
full particulars Of tho case must be at once for
warded to the Adjutant General.
nent that the most harmonious relations should
exist between the military attaches and their
chiefs in the diplomatic service. Amy military
attache whose relations with, the chief of the
not most cordial will request a recall. A digni-
fled appreciation of his own position and cOur.
tcous respect for his diplomatic chief will be
expected OF each attache.".
ing, as It was not promulgated in n general or
special order, but nearly all OF those who are
familiar with 1t believe that Secretary Algcr is
right, They contend that Capt. Peshine's ac'
Taylor would have a bad effect on discipline II
that army. officers detailed as Indian agents
tsotloD DC Of fF Cant to f Pe.b AZ sn sSon pIISSa66e old y w ths G rsf.
erence to those on detached service. The Sec.
rotary OF the Interior, however, Is recognized
as the superior officer of Indian agents detailed
from the army. and his directions are obcyed al
The end OF The Taylor-Peshine incident Is not
yet, for Capt, Peshine Is preparing q statement
setting forth his views, and when this Is made
public Mr.. Taylor will probably have some