New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-01
GENERAL MILES TALKS.
STANDS By HIS EMBALMED BEEF
CHARGES AND SAYS HE HAS ABUN-
DANT EVIDENCE TO PROVE THE

DANT EVIDENCE TO PROVE THEM
Major-GeneraI Nelson A. Miles, commanding the
United States Army. and Major-General Wesley
Merritt are at the Waldorf-Astoris They came TO
the city 20 attend the Charity Ball and are ac-
companied by their respective stafs. When Cen
eral Miles was seen yesterday he was disincned
90 talk about matters relating 20 the Army He re-
ceved a number OF callers in the course OF the
day. and chatted freely almost every subject
but the one which IS causing so much interest in
Army circles While General Miles at tho
Waldorf Astoria he received a dispatch from AL
bert A. Pope the well-known bicycle manufacturer,
offering TO pay 5000 10 General Miles for possible
expenses Incurred should he undertake 20 prove
the charge that has been made that beef supplied
to the soldiers "embalmed." General Miles
smiled az the offer. and said that he understood the
spirit in which II offered but he felt that he
did not need 10 spend mones rove 1r disproVe
that matter. lie had not cha:.. nd on the
subject OF the beef but re Ss,E 'bout
The matter any further. He wuY,o make no com
ment upon the case OF General Eagan. He said
that the incident closed far as he was con-,
rerned and he did 20 talk about IT,
General Merritt. who was president of the court
martial that tried General Eagan. was not willing
20 talk about Army matters at all. He dismissed
all questions with positive refusal 10 say any,
thing.
To a reporter Of the local branch OF the Assoc-
hted Press. which furnishes city news 10 all As
ISOLATED Press papers in the United States. Gen
srel Miles talked IN guarded manner last night
Th~ General asked about the interviews at
tributed to him IN afternoon newspapers. and in
reply said that ne had given no Interview 10 any
body. When portions OF a specific alleged interview
called 10 his attention and he was asked about
them he said; 1T Is true that I declined 70 dis
General Eagan. 7 never said the other mat
ter which is Iut in my mouth. / have been most
freely quoted without authority from or without
any utterance my part. 1t has been source OF
great annoyance to me" Later General Miles made
this statement:
ION September 20 last issued an order 70 regi-
mental commanders ordering them To report 10 me
concerning the beef which had been issued TO their
men AT the time that before the war
Board Investigating Committee had only received
reports from fourteen OF the commanders; now
The evidence proving the truth Of the statements
manders l have great mass Of evidence consist
ing Of communica lions afdavits etc. from officers
soldiers and civilians Every part Of the country
has contributed 10 the mass Of correspondence
served our soldiers and the evidence is all cor
Toborstive Of what have said The great pub.
liolty which the press has given TO the matter mas
brought all the correspondence of which speak
Il have overwhelming evidence that the en-
bamed beef VAS treated With chemicals IN 9rder 10
the beef undergoing the treatment or embaiming
Now. as to the canned roast beef. that was diff
ierent from the embalmed beef. The canned roast
beef vas the beef after the extract ned been n4l a
Extract; One Pound Contains the Substance Of
from Four to Five Pounds OF Prime Beef Well.
this il the beef after the extract has been taken
from H. They put this beef pulp up In cans and
label il canned roast beef The soldiers report
that the canned beef was nauseating IL swallowed
IL could not be kept the stomach.
General" said the reporter. you are quoted as
taving that II the men who supplied the beef would
deposit 81 900 IN such a way that il could he made
to pay the cost OF the proceeding. you would fur
.nsh absolute proof Of your assertions W hal IT'D
'unal had YOU in mind To whom would you fur
nish this proof
Il made this statement IN response 10 the offer
NJ the beef men Ia pay 100000 for evidence Of the
truth OF my allegations against their product. I
looked on their offer as a bluff and took that way
Of answering It have no particular tribunal IN
mind. ] have the greatest abundance or evidence
10 support the charges ! made, and do not think
that any part Of the 1.cno need be spent in more
trVestga ton