Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-05-20
QUEER STATE Of AFFAIRS.
A Senator Gives His View of
the Situation in the War
Department.
GEN. MILES IS IGNORED.
Has No knowledge of Military Oper-
alton in Philippines or Admins
tration in Cuba.

War Department ut Present the Busiest
of All Governmental Departments and
Miles Is Busy Writing History OF Greco
Turkish uar-At Least That's what
the senator says.
Washington. May ia Senator
very near to the administration is au-
thority for the following statement:
AN anomalous condition exists in
the Wal Department. The Secretary
Of War is holding conferences with the
chiefs OF the different bureaus III con-
troll Of the army TO which the COM
handing general is not invited. Gen
eral Miles Is in antagonism to the adj
ministration of Secretary Alger. There
fore he is hot a member OF the Wal
Department cabinet.
THE President and his Secretary of
War long ago found that they could
have no assistance from General Miles.
His views on nearly all subjects We're
opposed to theirs and his recommends
tons could not be followed. Had they
been followed the war with Spain
would not yet be over. The President
was perplexed how to deal with his
insubordinate commanding general.
At one time he intended to relieve him
Of command for his defiant interviews
IN the beef controversy. Now the
plan has been adopted Of ignoring the
nominal head of the army.
General Miles las no more know
ledge of the military operations In the
Philippines or of the military admins
tration in Cuba and Porto Rico than
any outsider. In his enforced leisure
General Miles is devoting himself to
literary work, He is preparing an ac-
count of his observations on the Greco
Turkish war of 1897. The book will
be published by the Government.
"a history of the war between
Turkey and Greece Is not the work
that ought to be expected at this time
from the Commanding General of the
United States army. The United
States army has been engaged in war
against a foreign foe, but General
Miles has had little to do with the
recent striking vents of military his
tory.
The operations in Cuba, Porto Rico
and the Philippines have beer directed
by the Secretary of War and, the Adj
iutant General. General Miles knows
of these operations through the orders
which have passed through his Office
and from the press dispatches. He has
ilpt Lith " 1Nii hi0 Vl'ihAVh
or give his advice. lie has volun-
teered his advice. but 1t has not been
followed. General Miles. in fact. Is
enjoying a vacation as much as Is Ger
eral Eagan.
'"Tlle War Department is Mt present
the busiest of all the great Govern
ment departments. Cuba. Porto Rico
and the Philippines are under the di-
rection of this department. 1t controls
the government of these islands and
the civil and military affairs OF their
people. Each bureau of the War De-
.partment is busy every hour OF the
day, but General Miles Is not consult
ed. The President acts more through
the Secretary of War. The Secretary
gives all his orders and receives all his
reports direct from the generals In the
field. General Otis has 10000 men in
| the Philippines. General Brooke has
$4,000 men in Cuba. Neither general
officially knows the Major General in
command. There are 1900 troops In
Porto Rico under General Davis. AS
Governor General he reports direct TO
the Secretary of War. There are 49,
0CO regulars in the United States dis
tributed in the military posts, over
whom General Miles has supervision.
but General Merriam. looking after
the labor troubles in Idaho. reports di-
rect to the Secretary of War. Never
before the history of this Govern
ment was the American army doing so
much without the approval or con
sent of the Major General in com
mand.
1.-THE President has not seen nt 10 re-
lieve General Miles of official orders.
He has succeeded In relieving him of
all duties except the merest Office
routine. How long can this condition
eXist?''