The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-09-05
A STRANGE SITUATION.
Gen. Nelson "A Miles is a Commando,
With no Command.

handl' .xvza
ho.n- S,nu gGfC- 5,SSs one of the uneX-
planned mysteries Of the present day.
The closest inquiry at the war depart.
meet fails to disclose any satisfactory
explanation Of the total eclipse OF the
distinguished looking commanding gen
eral.
Before he came to Washington his
predecessors, especially Major Gen.
Schoteld, were frequently summoned
to the White House To confer with the
president and cabinet on all matters
pertaining to the movement or disposi-
tion OF United States troops, either at
home or abroad. For while Gen.
Miles enjoyed similar privileges and
seemed TO share the confidence of MIR.
Cleveland and the then secretary OF
war, Col. Daniel S. Lamont. Prior to
his elevation to the rank OF command
ing general Of the army Gen. Miles had
tho reputation Of being one of the
grandest types of American soldiery
known to this generation. His record
in the civil war, together with his
achievements as an Indian fighter,
made him the envy OF many OF his
military associates. When attired in
his military uniform he presents u com
manding and admirable appearance
Gifted with u magnificent physique,
clcan-cut features and graceful and
digniGeu bearing, it would be difficult to
conceive moro striking military com
mander than Gen. Miles. In addition
to his long, active and efficient service
in the field, especially against savage q
tribes in the West, the experience and
information he derived from visits to
Europe to witness the military man.
ocuvres o. international troops would
seem to lit him especially to give prac.
tical advice and CONSUL to the admin
istration in carrying out its policy in
connection with the Chinese complica-
tiOns.
When Secretary Root took charge OF
the war department it was announced
semi officially that in the future Gen.
Miles would receive such consideration
a5 his high rank entitled him to, and
that he would be the military adviser
OF tho secretary OF war. at the same
time it was settled that Gen Miles,
who has large and valuable acquain-
tance in New York city, should be no
right-hand man OF Secretary Root in
al matte rs pertaining to the military
branch OF the service. II was said in
this connection that personal Jealous.
les, tinctured with political, were in a
large measure responsible Tor tho shah.
by treatment Gen. Miles is ..lleged to
have received at the hs Ids OF the
Cleveland administration under Sec
actary Lamont, and that yhc same con-
ditiOn OF affairs cOntinv ed during the
period when Gen. Alg>r presided over
the destin nics OF the war department.
1t was also charged that Adj. Gen.
Corbin vas largely responsible for the
ignoring OF Gen. Miles because the
former entertained aspirations not cal
culated to please the commanding gem
eral.
These subjects have been gossped
about and threshcd over in military
and social circles until they hare be-
come too stale and Improbable for fur
ther speculation. The fact remains
however, that Gen. Miles las been
practically ignored in ali of the impor-
tant deliberations bearing upon the
American campaign in Cfina. There
must be some valid and substantial
reason for the treatment be has been
subjected to. 1t is not reasonable to
suppose that, in view Of all the com.
pleX questions involved in the Chinese
situation, the administration would re-
fuse any valuable suggestion from Gen.
Miles or any other reliable source.
Those who might throw some val
liable light on the subject when inter.
evasive, and intimate that no good
can come OF the discussion OF such a
delicate subject. II is whispered that,
although Gen. Miles possesses an un-
blcmished record a. Il soldier when in
the field, he is deficient in some OF the
requirements OF a successful and eilici-
ent com mandlng general. 1t is alleged
that he has grievance, either real or
Imaginary, against his associates who
are graduates OF the West Point Mill.
tary Academy. IT will be remembered
that he has rieen practically from the
ranks Of the volunteer branch OF the
service TO the most exalted position In
the army OF his country. The griev.
ance appears to have impaired, not
only his judgment ia military affairs,
but 1t has not improved his personality.
he permits it TO parmcato not only his
personal, but his Ciliaial ntterances and
the result Is that he frequently tinds
himself ant8gonizng the wishes and
the ticv y: his official supcriOr8 with
out "uish justhabIe
rcasOF
Rec" ...cs nu, y,incr0 an
indiife. nc peculiar position he
0ccuple. .ncial circles, and is appa
rcntly determined to derive all the
pleasnr~ and profits OF his high rank
without being harrassed by the respon-
sibilities which might otherwise rest
upon him. Attircd in white duck
suit wearing a straw hat with IN ex-
tremcly broad brim, surrounded by a
gaudy hat band, patent leather gators
with white duck - It's" twirlilP a
slenoer cane, he suggests an elderly
out wolf conserved dandy on grand
m n hnr ho, l>,, Il