The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-25
WAR DEPARTMENT SCANDAL.
The Movements of Secretary AlGer
Regarded as Mysterious.


New York, Aug. A.-The following dis
patch is from the Washington correspond
ent Of the Evening Post of today:
There is increasing mystery over the
disappearance of Secretary Alger from
Washington. 1t is given out at the War
Department today that not even the
members of the Secretarys family know
of his address, and that no one in the
city knows his mission 1t develops that
the Secretary desired his visit to New
York TO be regarded as secret. and that
the inspection of Montauk Point is the
least consequential object of his visit.
zone report about the War Department
this morning represented Alger as con-
ferring with Plat in a combination
against the Roosevelt boom. Those au-
thorized to speak for the Secretary said
today that he was in New York on bust
ness concerning which absolutely moth
ing was known A denial authorized by
Secretary Alger was made to the cor
respondent of the Evening Post of the
reports of his resignation from the Cabi-
net.
1.-THE interview purporting TO have been
held with Gen Miles in Porto Rico has
created sensation in the War Depart
ment. The criticism of Adj;. Gen. Corbin
and the army administration bears all
the evidences of yeracity. The senti-
ments contained in Gen. Miles's remarks
may lead TO trouble for that officer. al
though some Of the expressions Will find
favor among the authorities. 1t is
known, for instance. that Secretary AL
ger shares with Miles the latter's. sus-
for this reason 1t is doubtful whether
Miless enemies-among the most active
of whom has been and is Gen. Corbin-
will be able to draw official rebuke upon
Miles. One officer at the department said
this morning that were Miles reprimand-
ed it would be due to Corbins influence.
The same official said Secretary Alger
had no ill-feeling for Miles, and that the
newspaper stories of Ayers opposition
to Miles had been melted by the Iatters
enemies in the War Department.
There is promise that the interview
will lead TO dissension in the service and
disclosure of much that might better be
regarded as confidential and kept from
the public. The conservative officers,
even those who share Gen. MiIes's views,
express regret at the publicity of these
expressions. which they feel might better
have been reserved for the President. to
whom, undoubtedly the whole matter
will be referred. Most officers believe it
has come to a direct fight between Miles
and Corbin. with the immediate advan-
tage with the latter. Corbin is not amen
able TO Miles's orders, and the prominence
of both officers will serve to take the
case to the President.
''Adjt. Gen. Corbin said this morning TO
the correspondent of the Evening Post,
who showed him the interview: I do not
believe that Gen. Miles used any such ex-
pressions. He is too old and too discreet
an officer and too good man to say such
things
There is much gossip on account or
this incident. and all sorts of stories are
in circulation. not the least interesting of
which is that Senator Proctor has adj
yised Gen. Miles TO cut loose and make
full and complete reply to his critics,
open and secret