The times., 1898-11-27

~
with a group of brother officers in the
Army and; Navy club the other night.
made known some Interesting facts in con-
nection with the attempt by some of the
stay-at-home officials to rob Gen. Mics
of his prestige as soldier and even to de-
prIve him of his command of the regular
army.
According to the speaker. 1t was the
overweening ambition of the present ad-
jutant general and the evident purpose of
the President to place him in practical
command of the army. which resulted in
surrounding the general in chief with
spies and traitors TO use his own
words while he was in Porto Rico
The officer referred to said that the at
create rank for the bureau Of the ad-
jutant general which would enable its
chief to supersede higher officers in the
army first made 1t apparent that the
Commander in Chief desired to further
the ambition of Adjt. Gen. Corbin. An in
vestigation OF the honest. truth-seeking
sort would he declared, discover at the
.
army, and individual soldiers suffered the
ambition of Corbn. Alger played second
fiddle.
The primary plot, he said. was to have
Corbin made a major general by act OF
Congress. Had IL succeeded. what might
have happened was too appalling to con-
template. Failing in that however. Cor
l..
placed on Gen. Miles's staff certainly not
at the request of the commander. From
then on he depended ON underhanded
work to bring discredit upon the com
mandinG general.
As an instance of this endaavor on the
part of Gen. Corbin and mis- agent, the Of
ricer referred to the proclamation issued
by Gen. Miles to the people of Porto Rico
soon after he landed there. and of the
furry its publication oGcas.oned in Gen.
corbins section of, the War Department
The first proclamation. which was written
by Gen. Miles. was as follows:
To the People of Porto Rico: The fortunes of
war having brought p.TtioR OF the forces under
my command TO your shores, take this early
occasion 10 assure yolf that' make war only
on the armed forces ei the spanish government.
Women, children and non-coInlatants, who re-
main at home aud attend strictly 10 their usual
dHsir-. giving no AID or comfort To the enemy,
Will not be wantonly moleSted, On the con
traTy. 20 far the exgencies OF the services will
permit. we desire to protect you one and all.
III the pursuit Of your avccatons. your liberties
and your property Your political destiny is not
for soldiers, but for the wise Judgment Of the
Government at Washington TO decide.
NELSON A. MILES.
Majcr General Commanding L. $ A.
After he had written the above procla-
| nation. Gen. Miles decided to show it. be-
7 .Ys..
was supposed to be the legal adviser of
his staff. lie turned the document over to
| the colonel and two days later found
the staff clerks busy printing, by the ne
ostyle process. the following:
PROCLAMATION.
| Headquarters Of the Army Of the United States.
Gudnica. Porto Rico. .Iuly - lsqs
| To the Inhabitants of Porto Rico.
| In the further prosecution of the war against
! the klngdcm Of Spain BY tie people Of the
United States. in the OF liberty justice and
! humanity, its military forces have come to oc-
| cupy the Island of Porto Rico. The first effect
| Of this occupation i, the severance Of your
former political relations and the establishment
| OF new political power
The sole object of the American forces will ne
| 10 overthrow the armed resistance Of Spain and
| give 10 the people of your beautiful island tho
| largest measure OF liberty consistent with mill
! taTy occupation. We have not come to make war
upon you. but TO the contrary. to protect you in
| your persons. in your private property, in your
| religious rights, in your employment and in your
I homes. Nor is il our purpose TO disturb YOUR
time-honored laws and customs the adminstra.
ton OF Justice between man and man.
!. All private property required for the use Of
| the army and all personal services voluntarily
J rendered will he paid for at fair valuation.
| receipts 10 lie given in every instance
| All inhabitants, WHO. by active aid. or by hon.
| est submission cooperate with the authorities OF
the United States in their efforts to give effect
| to their benefcent purposes will receive the re.
gard and protection Of the American army.
NELSON 4. MILES,
| Major General Commanding L. S A.
This Gen. Miles knew nothing of until
1t was issued. AS soon as he had read
1t the general ordered It suppressed and
sent to Col. Claus for the original draft.
This was not Forthcoming, however. the
colonel explaining that he had mislaid II
and II could not be found. Gen. Miles
and others Were confident that the procla-
nation was deliberately worried so that
Gen. Miles would be recalled in disgrace,
TO be confronted with it, over his own
signature.
The next day. while on the wav ia
Ponce Gen. Miles called a stenographer
and dictated the following, which was
translated into Spanish and promulgate ed
after the fall or surrender of Ponce
PROCLAMATION.
Ponce, Porto Rico, July 2s Is1s
To the Inhabitants of Porto Rico:
In the prosecution Of the war against the king
dom of Spain by the people of the United State
IN the mains of liberty Justice and humanity. il
military forces have come to occupy the isanC
of Porto Rico. They come bearing the banner o
freedom. inspired by noble purpose to seel
the enemies of our county and yours, and t,
destroy or capture all who are in armed resis
tance. They bring TO You the fostering arms of /
nation OF tree people. whose greatest power i
IN ITS Justice and humanity 10 all those lvin.
IN its fold. Hence, the first effort of this occn
patton will be the immediate release from Won
former political relation, and, it is hoped
cheeriul acceptance of the Government Of tn
United States. n fa4 u ="
The chief object of the American military force
will be to overthrow the armed authority q
Spain and 10 give to the people of your beauti
fil island the largest measure of liberty cons;s
tent with this military occupation. We hav
I not come TO make war upon the people Of
country that for centuries has been oppressed
Dut, on the contrary. to bring Won protection
not only for yourselves but TO your Drsper,y am
TO bestow upon You thg. immunities and blessing
OF the liberal institutions of our Covernnpnt
IL Is not our purpose to Interfere with any exist
ing laws and customs that ARE wholesome an
beneficial to your people so long as they con
form to the rules oi military iunistration OF orde
and justice. i.ll - ''1e
This is not war OF devastation but enc 4
give all within the control of its military an
naval forces the advantage and BLESSINGS ~ on
iightened civilization. NELSON A. MILES,
Major General Commanding L. 5 A.
|
Charivnri's Sad End.