New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-03
RUMORS ABOUT GEN. NILES.
SLIGHT BASIS FOR REPORTS OF TRIAL
OR RELIEF.
THE CoMMANDING-GENERA READY TO
MEET ANY ACCUsATION-HIs BEEF IN
CURRY STARTED LAST SEPTEMBER.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRlBUNE.l J

[BT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRlBUNEl
Washington, Feb. 2-There appears to be
nothing more substantial in the reports that
General Miles is to be court -martialled ordered
before court of inquiry. relieved from duty, or
subjected to any Of the other humiliations that
may be attached 10 a soldier, than the mere gos-
sip founded the well-known fact that the re-
lations between the Secretary Of War and the
major general commanding are more or less
strained. The President has shown disposition
uniformly TO refrain from conversing on the sub
ject with callers at the White House, however
prominent and the Secretary Of War has en-
phatcally declined to make any remarks on the
subject Perhaps the most astonishing feature.
in view OF the numerous interviews that have
been attributed to him. is the stubborn reticence
Of General Miles himself. who might naturally
be expected to speak with more freedom to
those in Washington with whom he is con-
stantly associated than with comparative stran-
gers in New-York and other cities
The latest prevalence Of varlegated gossip
about the commanding general results from the
remarks attributed TO him in the course Of his
visit to New-York the first Of this week.
widely published interview, TO which was
adrotly given all the semblance Of an author
ized statement contained a number OF sentences
calculated to incite the authorities TO action.
Whether or not General Miles said everything
contained in the interview may reasonably be
questioned. in view of his own assertion that he
did not give out any statement in New-York,
and absolutely refused the opportunities OF all
who attempted to interview him.
1t is well known throughout official circles in
Washington that General Miles fears neither
court-martial nor a court Of inquiry He IS
firm in the conviction that he has committed no
offence against military proprieties and that If
court -martialled on any imaginable charge his
character as a soldier would emerge absolutely
untarnished.
His attitude toward the proposition for court
Of inquiry is similarly confident. as indicated
by his straightforward course to-day In meeting
the accusation that he had been proceeding in
manner which bordered the surreptitious in
his investigation Of the bad beef The impress
sion which was studously created during the
proceedings Of the War Investigating Commits
sion and the Eagan court-martial that General
Miles had waited nearly six months to find out
that the beef was bad was effectually disproved
by the following telegram sent to Army COM
manders almost Immediately after General
Miles's return from Porto Rico
Adjutant-Generals Office
Washington September 20, 1898.
Commanding General. Department East Gov
ernors Island Ncw-York.
AatOr-General commanding Army directs that
each regiment Of Regular troops in active ser
vice in Cuba and Porto Rico be called upon for
report as to results obtained from use OF canned
fresh roast beef during campaign In those cOun-
tries II. c. CORBIN, AdJutant-GeneraL
Same telegram to Commanding General De
partment Santiago. Cuba.
Same telegram to Commanding General, De-
partment Porto Rico.
Same telegram TO Commanding General, Mon
tauk Point. y Y.
Same telegram 10 Commanding General. De-
partment Gulf. Atlanta.
Same telegram 10 Commanding General, De-
partment Lakes, Chicago.
Same telegram 10 Commanding General De-
partment California San Francisco.
Same telegram to Commanding General De-
partment Colorado Denver
Same telegram 10 Commanding General De-
partment Missouri. Fort Omaha.
Same telegram 10 Commanding General De-
partment Dakota. st. Paul
II is apparent that General Miles's investiga-
tion therefore initiated by open order
sent through the customary official channels.
and that it is not clear how he can be accused
of seeking information for his own personal
purposes. The fact that Il was not sent 10 vol
unteers. but only to Regulars. who were
customed to ordinary rations. Is likewise sig