Evening star., 1898-08-26
A COURT OF INQUIRY
Believed That the Miles Interview
Will Lead to One.
UNEASINESS At War DEPAR TMENT
The President Will Probably Select
the Members.
CORBIN WILL NOT TALK

1t is regarded as almost certain that the
interview attributed to Gen. Miles reflect
ing on the course of some of the war off,
cials in Washington will lead. to a court of
inquiry. The return of Gen. Miles is await
ed with some impatience in army circles by
those who believe that there will be inn
portant developments soon after his arrival
in Washington. Throughout the depart
ment there is an air of apprehension of i'm
pending trouble. The criticisms that are
pressing upon the department on account
of the suffering and loss Of life in the
army, resulting, it is charged, from lack Of
provision for the care of sick and wounded,
have caused feeling of unrest, and the
prospect that there may be an open rupture
in army circles as soon as Gen. Miles re-
turns adds to the uneasiness. Officers in
charge Of various camps and for the care
of the army are being called on for re-
ports and explanations. Meanwhile reports
of suffering among the troops multiply, and
criticism becomes more bold. These criti
cisms relate not only to the lack of medical
attention, but to lack of suitable food and
care of the army to keep the soldiers from
exposure and want, and relate to present
existing conditions as well as to conditions
existing early in the Santiago campaign.
When Gen. Miles Returns.
is SO much in accordance with the general
character of the criticism that is heard
that what has been said before and the
new things that are being said cluster
around this interview as a semi-official
support and the vehicle through which an
investigation is to be had 1t is said in
War Department circles that undoubtedly
on the arrival of Gen. Miles an inquiry
will be made of him by the Secretary or
the President as to the accuracy of the
interview, and that unless he disavows re-
sponsbility for it a demand will at once be
made for court of inquiry. 1t is uncer-
tain who will take the initiative, but there
appears to be an impression in the depart
ment that Gen. Miles himself will take
steps to have cleared up a number of mat
ters concerning which there Is some un-
certainty
Inasmuch as the Secretary of War IS
personally involved in the criticism of the
department, it is regarded as probable that
he will have nothing to do with convening
the court, and that If any such steps are
taken the President himself win order and
appoint the court of inquiry.
What the President Thinks.
The President is quoted as saying to some
senators and others who have called on
him that the criticisms of the Secretary Of
War are utterly unjust.
1t is said that the dispatch alleged to
have been sent by Gen, Miles to the de-
partment outlining certain steps to be
taken to preserve the health of the army,
and a similar dispatch said to have been
sent by Gen. Shafter. are not on the files
of the department. Gen. Corbin still re-
fuses to say any! hing one way or the
other, but his friends say that while he
will not initiate any inquiry, the records
of his office are straight, and he will be
Pleased to have it completely disclosed.