Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-09-15
A Row i'm the War Department.

Gen. Skaters visit to the War De
partment and the President created
commotion in military circles last Sat
urday. Immediately after his arrival
at the executive mansion. Surgeon Gen
eral Sternberg, Quartermaster General
Ludington and Commissary
General Eagan were sent for
and the President and General Corbir
had consultation with them OF more
than an hour.
II was evident from the looks OF the
men as they emerged from the White
House that General Shafter had made
complaints against the administration OF
affairs during the Santiago campaign.
Every one looked worried
Generals Shafter and Corbin and
Lieutenant Colonel Miley, after leaving
the President, went to the War Depart
ment. General Corbin cleared his OF
fee of spectators. and issued instruc-
t1ons that he was not to be disturbed.
He even dismissed his confidential sec
retary, and General Shafter dismissed
his aid, Colonel Miley. Then the two
had conference of 30 minutes, and
when it was completed General Corbin
was irritated and angry.
During his talk with General Shaftei
the Adjutant Generals face was ex
tremely red with anger, and he IRE
quently emphasized his remarks by a
vigorous pounding on the arms of the
chair in which he was sitting.
At the conclusion of the conference
General Corbin and General Shafter
came out of the Office. They did not
talk to each other as they walked along
the corridor. The Adjutant General
went out to luncheon and General
Shafter and Colonel Miley, who had
Joined him, went to their botel.
Those who witnessed the scene were
convinced that the Presidents inter
view had been far from satisfactory,
and that Generals Corbin and Shafter
had heated argument in the office.
Everyone who partici pated in the con
ference at the executive mansion de.
clines to discuss it in any manner
General Shafter, accompanied by
Colonel Miley, reached the War Depart
ment shortly after 10 o'clock this morn
ing. He was in fatigue uniform and
went directly to the Office Of Assistant
Secretary, who greeted him cordially.
General Shafter then walked into the
ONCE OF Adjutant General Corbin,
where he deposited a large Spanish flag
which had been captured from the con
verted Spanish cruiser Mexico at the
surrender of the city Of Santiago. The
greeting between the two was friendly
Generals Corbin and Shafter have been
personal friends, each working for the
interests of the other.
General Corbin took his brother Off
Ger over to a corner of his Office end
conversed with him for several minutes
in low tones.
Later General Corbin, General Shat
ter and Lieutenant Colonel Miley walk
down to army headquarters and call
of ceremony was made on Major Gen
eral Nelson A. Miles, commanding the
army. General Miles shook hands with
ach of them.
The visit was not a friendly call but
was hurriedIy official, like that of an
officer Of lesser rank calling upon his
superior. The visit did not last five
minutes.
Considerable comment was caused by
the fact that General Shafter was ac-
companied by General Corbin, and his
aid, Lieutenant Colonel Miley in max
ing his visit. After leaving General
Miles the trio walked over to the execu-
tive mansion The President asked for
General Skaters version Of the Santa
60 campaign.
Generals Sternberg, Ludington and
Eagon were given an opportunity to re-
ply. or explain, to the complaints made
by General Shafter