Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-24
THE MILES INTERVIEW
Comment on the Alleged Utteranees Of the
General in Porto Rico.
A Thorough investigation Into the
Conduct of the War ProDabie-sec-
retary Alser and Roosevelt.

The nuhIication Of an interview credited
to General Miles concerning the Santlase
campaign in which considerable Hritauot
is shown. has excited great deal OF com
ment. especially in the War Department
General Corbin on whom the interview
bears particularly hard-General Miles be-
ing quoted as saying that Corbin sent
secret dispatch to General Shafter assur-
ing him that the presence Of Miles would
make no difference to his command, ETC.
would not discuss the matter publicly. II
is very apparent. however, that there is
great deal of feeling in the department and
there is more or less of disposition to
division of sentiment as to the merits Of
the threatened controversy. No one is au-
thorized to say whether the interview Is
accurate or whether, indeed, General Miles
has authorized any publication OF his
views, but it is much in line with the talk
that has been going on pss ateiy mere for
some time, and is appareniiy the outcrop-
ping of differences which 1t appears to be
impossible to conceal. =
An investigation Contemplated.
The Secretary of War Is considering the
advisability of having thorough investi-
cation of the conduct of the war early
enough to enable the departmsntst to respond
promptly to any inquiry by Congress on
the subject as soon as that body assemblies.
Allega tons and suggestions such as those
made In the alleged Miies 1nt.rview. to-
gether with publicat tons of an insinuatins
character without any claim of authority,
and the immense amount of talk which is
being INDUCED in privately, strengt the
conviction of the department that the best
possible thing would be to have a thor
ough investigation of tho carduct OK the
war. The idea Is not to make this investi-
cation In the form of a cour.-martial or
court of inquiry based on charges against
any one. but to conduct 1t with reference
to historic accuracy for the purpose of a
report, so as to bring out all the facts and
let the responsibility for the faults, wher-
ever there are any, fall where it will. 1t
is regarded now as almost certain that
such an investigation will bs had.
Secretary Alser's Visit to New York
Considerable gossip is being indslged in
concerning the visit of Secretary Alger to
New York and Montauk Point The reason
given by Secretary Alger himself for his
visit, that he wants to see. for himself what
is the situation with respect to the care of
the soldiers, though undoubtedly one rea-
son. may not be the only one. 1t is re-
ported that another motive was that the
Secretary desired an opportunity to meet
Col. Roosevelt or some ; of his political
friends with an informality hardly possible
IN washington, and to correct the misun-
derstandfng In connection with the corre-
spondence between Gen. Alser and Col.
Roosevelt. 1t is known that Secretary AL
ger regretted very much, and In fact was
grieved by the construction put upon this
correspondence by the public. and that he
desires to maintain most cordial relations
with Col. Roosevelt A political motive
was attributed to Secretary Alger's letter
to Roosevelt by good many publica lions,
and 1t is said now that whatever political
object might han xr{or ot ,af
time which would be benefited by antagon-
izing Col. Roosevelt, it is not one which in
the present state of public sentiment in
New York would still obtain. Friends Of
Secretary Alger deny that there ever was
any politics In the matter, and say the
Secretary's feelings toward Col Roosevelt
are very friendly and strongly influenced
by admiration.