The San Francisco call., 1897-04-25
GENERAL MILES MISSION.
Going to Europe to Observe Modern
Military Appliances of War
ring Nations.

iibS iN0liOIlSs
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 24.-The
President formally gave l1is consent to-
day to the suggestion of Secretary Aiger
that General Miles be sent to observe tn e
operations of the hostile forces on the
Grecian frontier. The official order d.
| recting the commanding general TO pro-
ceed to the seat of war will be promul-
gated Monday. Miles will not sail until
May 5. He will be accompanied by Cap-
tain NJ. P. Maus, one of his aides de camp.
The general said this afternoon he would
not determine until he arrived in Europe
what his exact course would be. He was
going, he said, TO observe the appliances of
strategy and armament of the opposing
forces, field equipment, uniforms. trans
portation, medical and hospital appli-
ances and all matters pertaining to mill
tary operation in the field. He thought
it probable he would inspect some of the
other European armies.
The Army and Navy Journal saws to-
night:
theater of war in the East. He will do so unless
President NJ Kinley interposes objection He
is ready to start, and will leave for Europe to-
day if the official authority he has reques ted
is granted in time.
For several days Secretary Alger has been
considering the question of having credita BILE
representatives in the field with the armies of
Turkey and Greece. Early in the week Captain
Scriven, our efficien military attache at Rome.
cabled Secretary Alger and asked permission
to join the Sultan's troops, with a view to
officially reporting the incidents of their
campaigns and military lessons to be derived
therefrom.
While the Secretary was considering the ap-
plication it was suggested to him that an Off
Ger should also be authorized to go with the
Greek troops. Captain Dorst, our Jealous at
tao at Vienna, was recommended for the
detail. Shortly afterwards the Secretary con-
ferred with General Miles. 1t was at this con-
ference that General Miles proposed that he
should go to Europe, accompanied by one or
two aids, observe the hostile forces and upon
his return make an official report of his expe-
rienees. The generals suggestion was heart
lily indorsed by the Secretary, who expressed
desire that an officer of high rank should go
10 Europe.
The present war will not present as MANY
great opportunities to gain information of
modern warfare would be the case if the
foes were Germany and France. But who can
say that it will not eventually draw into con-
hict, not only those two great mill itary powers
but Russia, England and Austria? The far.
seeing ones realize that the combat between
Turkey and Greece may involve the chief
powers of Europe. If it is prolonged and the
Greeks are Joined by one or two sympsthizing
states, does anything seem TO be more GER
tain:
Should conflict come about it would be
highly appropriate that officer of General
Miles distinction and ability as q soldier
should be this country's chief representative
to witness and record the great battles that
would surely ensue. Even ii hostilities are
limited to the troops of the Sultan and King
George it is advisable that an officer of high
rank should be the accredited American
representative at the 'front.' If a general
European war should follow it would be par
ticularly appropriate that General Miles, like
Scott, Sherman and Sheridan before him,
should be assigned to the important duty
President Mckinley now has General Miles
request under consideration. The present
probability is that he will approve ii. Secre-
taly Alger in conference with the Presi-
dent on the subject on Thursday and again
yesterday. The Secretary has advised that
General Miles be given the authority he has