The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-09
MILES At WASHINGTON
Commander Of the Army Receives
a Royal Greeting.
NO THOUGHT OF COURT MARTIAL

But Secretary Alger Has Urged the
President to Order Il Thorough In
vestigatlon Of the War Eopartment's
Conduct In the Late War.
Washington. Sept. 9.-Major General
Nelson A. Miles. commanding the army
of the United States. accompanied by
Mrs. Miles and Colonel Mauss and Col.
onel Micher, of his staff. arrived here
from New York at 6:35 o'clock last
evening. General Miles and party were
met at the Sixth street station by Ma
jor Black, member of General Miles
staff, and Captain Morton, chief clerk
in the office of the commanding gen.
efal.
In anticipation of the arrival of Gem
eral Miles several hundred people had
assembled at the station. A Gordon OF
police officers opened way through
the crowd from the wicket gate.
through which the distinguished party
passed from the aation to the car
riage, which stood In waiting at the
main entrance.
AS General Miles stepped from the
rear platform of his car he gave kind
greeting to his coachman. who stood
awaiting him, and then handed him q
bundle of souvenir canes, while he
grasped the hands of Captain Norton,
Major Black and two of three news
paper men.
AS General Miles passed through the
crowd in the station his hands were
grasped q score Of times by enthusiasts
tic men and women. He gave cordial
greeting to all. and as he and Mrs.
Miles and Colonel Michler stepped into
the carriage the crowd burst into
cheers. From the station General
Miles and Mrs. Miles were conveyed
directly to their residence.
The tension over General Miles criti-
cism of army methods is gradually
subsiding, and in high official quarters
the belief Is expressed that no official
attention would be paid to the criti-
cism. In view of much loose conjecture
over the imminence of a court martial
or court Of inquiry for the trial of Gem
eral Miles, it can be stated positively
that those in authority have not, up to
the present time, determined upon any
such course Of action, nor have they
felt that such steps would be condu-
Give to the best interests of the public
service. In some high official quarters
there is disposition to look upon Cen
eral Miles as being his own worst
enemy, and to pass over his comments
as Ill advised. though not to the ex-
tent of constituting INSTRUMENTATION.
or warranting official action by the
president or war department.
Secretary Alger has requested the
president to order thorough and
searching investigation of the war de-
partment. In this request the secre-
tary has been Joined by Adjutant Cen
eral Corbin. No decision has yet been
reached by the president as to what
course he will pursue. He has the re-
quest of Secretary Alger under consid-
GRAFTON. but has not yet determined
whether he will grant 1t or not.
Secretary Alger had a long confer
ence with the president last night be-
fore leaving the city. and impressed
upon him his earnest desire that an in
vestigation such as he had requested
be ordered. The question was very
thoroughly discussed in all its phases.
Secretary WilEon participated in the
conference, a1S. General Corbin was
present duringsa a greater part of the
time. 1t seems now not unlikely that
the Investigation will be ordered, but
1T is the wish of the president further
to consider the matter before an
nouncins definite policy.
Should the investigation be ordered
1t will include probably all matters re-
latfng to the conduct of the war, so
far as they concern the war depart
ment. Secretary Alger expresses him
self as confident that such an inves-
tigation. If conducted promptly and
thoroughly, will result in much good.
No charges of a definite character have
been filed by any responsible person or
official. but sensational stories and ru-
mors for which the administration has
present knowledge that there is no
foundation have been circulated, and
objection is made to dignifying them
by the ordering Of an investigation. By
those who desire and advocate the in
Vestigation 1t is maintained 1t can do no
possible harm and may be of positive
benefit in clearing away manifest error
from the minds of many people, and in
placing the blame, II any is to be
placed, where 1t rlghtfuly belongs.