The evening times., 1899-04-20
THURSDAY. APRIL 20, 1898.
Wrong ON the Throne.

We may as well recognize the fact, un-
palatable as canned or embalmed beef, that
men entrenched in power are above the
reach of Justice 1t is no worse in France
than it is here The French military staff
may consign innocent men to life imprison-
ment. disgrace, and suicide, with absolute
impunity In this country those who have
the supreme authority over the army, with
its immense amount of unwarranted pa
tronage, and who control the Federal pa
Ironage for the whole land, are too strong
for the friends of the soldiers and of right
and law. France has this excuse-that the
bitterness of German victory still survives,
and the hope that the army may yet avenge
Them and restore the lost provinces in
spires the people with an affection and toll
Grafton for the military service that par
alyzes the arm of justice. For this country
there is no such excuse. Relying on the
strength of political partisanship among
the people, an Administration can defy all
efforts TO obtain a judicial or committee
verdict against offenders in high places.
There seems to be little doubt that the
Court of Enquiry into the charges made
that is not justified by the evidence. That
was expected of the Alger Relief CommIs
sion. II was known insadyance what the
purpose of its creation was, and some
twenty or more of the men who were first
asked to serve on it resolutely declined and
We're proof against all prayers, promises
and threats. Most of those who were fin
ally induced to accept did it with great re-
luctance and during all the course of the
absurd and partial proceedings. showed
the embarrassment of men forced into an
action that did not find approval in their
own conscience. But it was assumed that
a court made up Of military men who were
not known to be overambitious for pro-
motion. would be guided to their verdict
by the facts they gathered. Yet there were
people who maintained that it was vain
10 hope for the censure of high officials
who have the full support of the President
or even to hope for justice to a Command
ing General who had been marked for dis
cipline by the Administration because JUS
rice would make Of him possible rival of
the President. 1t was ordained that Miles
must gain no laurels in the Spanish war
He was denied the command of the most
important expedition, and it was only by
reason of his own anxiety for American
victory that he was able to intervene to
save the army from disastrous retreat
Deprived of his opportunity to win laurels
in fighting, he was still able to achieve
honor by exposing the abuse OF the army
through the purchase and issue OF poison
Gus meat. Was it to be supposed the Ad-
ministration would allow him to succeed
in this?
1t is plain that il would not do to CEN
sure General Miles plainly and positively.
The country is too well acquainted with
the evidence that he was right TO the
uttermost charge, and it would be easy
60 place on his brow the martyrs crown
He must be damned by a modified support
of part Of his charges. The whole thing
is as plain as poster type The dullest can
read and understand it all. The evidence
has nothing to do with the verdict but
only the necessities of Secretary Alger's
department and of the Administration
With great political party back of it and
with some plain and valid claims 10 popu-
lar support, the Administration is strong
enough. or believes itself to be strong
enough, to pursue this unrighteous policy
10 an end. General Miles is a brave n.an
a patient man-who will make no mis-
takes in just indignation. We may look to
him to keep on his safe and judicious
course. but never relenting until the full |
truth OF his charges is recognized by |
some authority in which the world has |
absolute confidence. The Administration is |
strong enough and bold enough to control |
all possible commissions and military |
courts at this time. 1t has the tremendous, |
the irresistible power of army and civil |
patronage at its disposal, while General |
Miles is simply a soldier fighting for the |
rights Of his army. The Administration |
may be strong enough to prevent a Con-
sressional enquiry or to dictate its YER |
dict. Yet there is ground for believing !,
the most experienced politicians may un-
derestimate the final force of popular |
opinion.
n.