Evening star., 1898-08-30

for unbecoming conduct in criticising the
department publicly. The difference be-
tween having the matter before a court of
inquiry and a court-martial would be that
in the latter General Miles would be sub
ject to conviction, under the charge, If he
were guilty, even of a technical breach of
propriety and this conviction would stand
out prominently as counter to any dis
paragement of the conduct of the war
which might be developed during the ex-
animation of the court-martial. Either a
court-martial or a court of inquiry could
and would go into an investigation of the
entire question of the cenduct of the war
in all its branches and with reference to
every detail, but in a court of inquiry at
tention would be focused Immediately upon
the question of the conduct of the war and
the personality of General Miles would be
lost sight Of Whereas, in a court-mar-
tial the point of attention would be Cen
eral Miles himself, and, If he were con-
victed of a technical breach of propriety.
this being the main issue, 1t would likely
distract attention from the developments
during the course of the examination by
the court as to the conduct of the war, in
yolving the charges of neglect to provide
necessaries for the health and comfort of
the army or general mismanagement in
any branch of the service.
Will BE Asked to Explain.
When Gen. Miles returns to Washington
he will be asked for an explanation of the
recent interviews with him and the publi-
cation of the dispatches of the War Depart
ment which the department has not made
public.
Until the arrival of Gen. Miles the War
Department will not discuss the matter.
Secretary Alger says that the department
will not enter into any controversy with it's
subordnates, and does not propose to dis
cuss matters affecting Gen. Mile during his
absence.
AS stated, there is no doubt at the depart
p1pn hat jc-
patches of the Secretary, Gen. Shafter and
himself published this morning. That such
action on the part of Gen. Miles is a breach
of military regulations is said at the de-
partment to be the case. 1t is known, how
ever, that no military court can obtain
proof that Gen. Miles made public the dis
patches If he and the person to whom they
were furnished refuse to give the informa-
tion. No military court can compel civil
ian to testify If he does not want to. This
has been developed in several military
trials. The alleged interviews with Gen.
Miles he may be also called to account for
unless they are disavoWed. They would
place him in the attitude of crticising his
superior officers and subject to military
discipline.
The Topic at the Department..
The publication Of the dispatches today,
taken together with previous interviews in
the Kansas City Star, was the topic of
conversation among officers of the War
Department and the general opinion was
expressed that after the Spanish war came
the war between the Secretary and the
general commanding the army. 1t is be-
lieved that after what has occurred it will
be impossible for good relations to he es
tablished again. Already there is a dispo-
sition by some to take sides in the ques.
ton, while others deplore the conditions as
tending to lower the tone of the army and
to do irrep1rable injury to the service.
Effect on LerisluttOu
1t is seen that such contest will not end
in the War Department but will extend to
both houses of Congress. ard that power
full supporters of both men will engage in
debates; that examinations and recrimina-
tons will be made which will tend 1o dis
parage men connected witk the war and
sc seriously affect the standing of the army in
the eyes of the world. Another effect which
Is feared Is that upon legislation which wilt
be asked to better the army. 1t is seTer-
ally understood that the regular force will
have to be largely incl eased at least until
the conquered islands are disposed Of and
It, is feared that legislation in this direction
VIII be hampered by the inevitable contro-
Versy between the Secretary and the gen
oil