Evening star., 1899-02-03
GEN. MILES FUTURE
1t Has Been the Subject of Cabinet
Discussion.
VIEW OF TIE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Awaiting Report of the War Com
MISSION.
NO IMME EDIATE ACTION

lulIN " III be OIN41leN TO investigate ara re-
port upon the truth or falsity of the state
ments alleged to have been made by Gen
eral Miles in which the quality Of beef fur
nished the troops during the late war WAS
brought in question. The matter was dis
cussed at some length at today's cabinet
meeting. and. although no definite decision
was reached. the consensus Of opinion was
that such proceeding should Toe had.
1t was argued that If the packers who
had furnished the beef to the army had
fraudulently supplied an article of the
character charged by Gen. Miles the coun-
try had a right to know II, and II the
charges were without foundation the peo-
pie had an equal right to know that fact.
Justice to all concerned. ii was agreed. de-
u-anded that the whole truth be brought 10
light.
1t WAS also agreed that Gen. Miles should
not be suspended from his office as com
mander of the army pending such iuyesti-
cation, as it was not intended that even
by inference should he be prejudged II any
wrong doing in this connection. II is not
believed that any action will be taken,
however, until the war investigating com
mission has made its report. which is sN-
pected within the next few days.
Think Miles should Re Rebuked.
II mas Bten a matter OF common private
knowledge in official circles that members
of the cabinet, besides these having charge
of the military branches of the government
have been very positive in their opinions
that General Miles should be rebukel in
some emphatic manner for his persistent
course in publishing charges which have
refle,:el upon the service of wnich he il
so important a part. The President has
already taxed over the matter With his
advisors and it is now not denied that the
question was considered briefly at the Cabi-
net meeting Tuesday last.
There was no o.Jec,ng voice. it is said
to the suggestion that General Miles should
be shown that his recent course was dis
tasteful to the administration. but the difil-
Guilty in the way of visiting upon him some
practical demonstration Of the sentiment
was regarded at first as almost unsur-
mOuntable.
The Attorney Generals Report.
Attorney General GriGGs. ii is said Nas
requested 10 examine the conditions and
advise upon the best means IL any were
obtainable 10 meet the requirements in the
case of General Miles
He reported. it is understood, that tie
authority of the President, under the Con
stitution of the United States, which makes
the chief executive the c0mmaader-iu-chi-f
of the army and the navy, was supreme.
and referred to precedeuts where that au-
thority was exercised when il was deemed
necessary for the good OF the army and the
country to relieve the commanding general
OF the army from active command, the
case of Gen. Winfield Scott being cited
particularly. Geh. Scott. who was not only
too Old to command. but who was general
ly credited with having very deep sym
pathy with the SOUTH was ordered 10 " est
Point on waiting orders by Preside nj Lin
CON, and there he remained. President
Lincoln also relieved Gen MCt lelldn and
Gen. Mcdowell from comuaud ct Ihc army,
and in recent years President Cleveland eN-
ercised his authority as comman ier-in-chef
by summarily placing Rear Admiral Rich
ard Meade on waiting orders because Of his
published structures on The administration.
Awaiting the CommIssion's Report.
1t is strongly intmated that the report
of the war commission Will devote con-
siderable space to the discussion Of Gen.
Miles, and that the alraigument Of him ny
the commission VIII be basis and justidca-
ton relied on by the President for reliev-
ing him of command Of the army. Ii is
said hat probably the most important re-
sultant of the commissions inquiry and
that upon which the most stress Will be
laid by the commission will be a defense
against Gen. Niles charges concerning the
beef furnished the army and an arraEn-
order in the army. Unul this report is
presented it is thought that the President
VIII delay action with regard To Gen. Miles.
Another thing that Is looked upon as
rendering action by the President al thls
time not advisable is that the intense feel
ing that would result from crisis in the
controversy before the army legislation has
been disposed of by Congress would prob
ably prevent legislation for the army BY
this Congress.
Before the Cabinet.
The case of General Mics was briefly
considered by the Presidents cabinet TO-
day.
A Court of Inquiry Probable
While no formal action has yet been
taken, there is reason 10 believe that a
court of inquiry VIII be ordered. In the
meantime it is not likely that he will be le-
lteved of his position as general of the
army. 1t is, however, understood that the
court Of inquiry wiil not be ordered unuI
the war investigating commission makes
its report as the report itsef probably will
form the basis for the court OF inquiry.
gen. hiies Had Nothing TO say
General Miles WAS first informed of the
court of inquiry 10y a reporter OF
The Star. Although evidently not expect
ing such a course he showed no special
concern at the news. eBing asked If he
had any statement to make on the sue
lect, he replied ca tmly, that he had not.
From other officers on duty at head
quarters, the news was received with IN
credulity, and there was every indication
that the announcement OF the Presidents
purpose came as a great surprise TO the
friends OF General Miles. Al
though hone Of them would speak for pub
lication Of the subject, ii was made per
fecty clear that they did not consider that
General Nj IS had committed any uffense
known TO military law, and that he would
be honorabiy acquitted of any dereIiction
Of duty of which d military court could
take cogniZance.
Gen. Miles remained on duty at army
throughout the day as usual
and there were no outward indica tions THAI
unusual had occurred to disturb
the calm serenity Of official Life at the War
Department.
Secretary Alger, on leaving The cabinet
meeting. went to his house for luncheon
and had rot returned to the War DEPART
nent up TO late hour this afternoon.
There was considerable specuiations this
afternoon as to the composition Of the pro-
POSED court, and IL was agreed that Il
would be matter of some diniculty ~ Sc
cure officers for the court without calling
Of u-nn han