The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-05-16
THE FIGHT AGAINST MILES.

FROM the manner with which the report Of the
court OF inquiry has been received it is evident a
strong movement has been started, seemingly by
the meat packers OF Chicago to hopeessy dscredit
General Miles and force him from the army The at
tack has been maintained continuously since the
report was made public and has been pushed forward
under as many forms ingenuity give it.
One of the most cunning of the devices to injure
the general was put forth few days ago in report
that General Miles is observing the letter but not
the spirit of the obligation accept the report of the
army beef court OF inquiry as final He still talks to
friends about a packed court, and they quietly
working for Congressional investigation. William J.
Bryan's influence has been sought" 1t is said in the
same precious the silver agtator told that
by unfolding Miles he could discredt the adminstra-
ton and thus help his party
From this story told with repeated assertions that
it emanates from good authority" it would appear
the general OF the army is engaged in political in
rgue against the President and the War Department.
that he has formed an alliance with the noisiest agi-
of the country for the purpose of fomenting dis
cord and gratifying personal spite If such story
should find credence among any considerable number
OF people it would seriously inure the generals repu-
ation and that extent aid the angry beef packers
their efforts to deprive him of his rank and force him
into retirement
fortunately the COnCOClOr OF the report the wash
ngton correspondent OF the Chicago Inter Ocean.
led by excess OF zeal in the cause of the beef con
tractors to go too far and betray the animus of his
story. By way of making contrast to the alleged
INSTRUMENTATION and intrigues of Miles the report
says Secretary Ager we'll satisfied with the situation
and will continue to do his duty as heretofore with
out fear favor. The report then goes on to say:
Should there come time in the future when
Miles shall attempt to have the Secretary overruled
by the President, then Secretary Ager will refuse
to submit to intimidation and will maintain his
self respect by surrendering the portofoo. has
stood between the President and enemies the ad-
ministration for many months and taken abuse that
meant for and in fact applied to the President.
But he will not submit to being used as a means of
reconciling Miles and creating harmony with in
subordinate official. If the President wishes Sec
rotary of War who will truckle to the discredted
major general in command he will have find an
other man, General Alger will not do so.
1t Will be the story concludes by speaking of
General Miles already discredted and holds
out the hardly yelled threat that the President must
ignore the general Alger will resign. 1t is fair
supposition that all the first part of the story about the
intrigue with Bryan about invented solely to
make occasion for the closing passage. The fight
against the general has clearly become one OF ex-
raordinary bitterness, and it would be worth while
to have Congressional investigation if for no other
purpose than that OF disclosing the men who are
backing it.