The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-16
DENIED BY GENERAL MILES.
The Report of His Lobbying for
Army Legislation Untrue.

Army IeEfstnttOu ntrue
Major General Miles. when seen at his
home last night. emphatically denied the
published statement that while at the Cap
itol on Saturday he was engaged in lobby
ing for the legislation which proposes to
invest him with the rank. pay. and allow
ances Of a lieutenant general.
General Miles stated that on Saturday
morning he was summoned before the SEN
ate Committee on Military Affairs in his
capacity as President OF the Board OF ord
nance and FOrtifcations to make some
statements regarding the appropriations
which the board considers necessary, and
that he remained in the committee room
nearly two hours. He afterward strolled
into the Senate lobby and having the
privilege of the floor went into the Senate
chamber. where he chatted with a number
of friends from both houses. General
Miles stated that the only time that he
said anything in regard to the subject OF
the promotion proposed for him was when
it was mentioned by two Senators, who
merely expressed the hope that the re
quired legislation would be enacted.
That is the second time" he continued.
that l have been on the floor Of either
house during the present session, and on
both occasions I was summoned before
the Military Affairs Committee"
In regard to the statement that he has
proposed changes in the amendment to
the Army Appropriation bill providing for
his increase in rank. General Miles said
that the only change suggested by him
was to make the provision apply to the
senior major general. He explained that
his reason for suggesting this change was
to prevent the office of Commanding Gen
eral Of the Army from becoming poit-
ical appointment. As originally drawn up
the amendment would permit the desig-
nation Of any officer, no matter what his
rank TO be the Commanding General. and
he could at any time be retired with the
rank OF Lieutenant General and another
officer appointed to succeed him. These
appointments would be left entirely at the
discretion of the President without ueces-
stating confirmation by the Senate and
would thus become subject for political
preferment.
"Such a condition OF affairs declared
General Miles earnestly would be OPP
posed to the traditions Of our Army for
the last 125 years and to our democratic
institutions. The Gear of Russia might
have the power to designate any officer
as the senior general Of the army, but
that has never been done in this country.
Never since our Army was organized has
that office been made a matter OF political
or personal preferment, but has devolved
upon the officer to whom it was due by
right OF seniority. II it were to be made
otherwise l would not want my friends TO
help to secure the necessary legislation.
-a.tN1A do On
There is no other army Of a considerable
size in the world whose senior officers
are of as low rank as are those Of our
Army. other nations have lieutenant
generals. generals. and field marshals. and
/ believe it is desirable for the good OF
the service and of the country in general
that some increase in rank should be
made"
General Miles referred TO the fact that
at the breaking out Of the Spanish Amer1-
can war there were besides himself two
major generals. Brooke and Merritt. and
that they were the only officers who did
not secure a promotion The brigadier gen.
| erals we're all promoted to be major gen
erals. Brigadier Generals Otis and Shafter
being made major generals of volunteers.
while the three officers OF highest rank
received no recognition whatever Gen
/ eral Miles said that he had personally
| suggested that Major Generals Brooke and
! Merritt, who are soon to retire, be re-
| tired with the rank OF lieutenant general.
| and that Senator Carter, to whom this
| suggestion was made, had drawn up an
| amendment to the Army Appropriation
| bill containing a provision to that effect,
! which he has, however. not yet submitted
| to the Senate
| General Miles denied that he had any
| intention or desire to limit the increase
/ in rank Of The Commanding General to
| himself. and said that though he had
/ hoped and his friends had worked 10 Sc
/ cure the necessary legislation in time to
| have it benefit him. he also desired to
| have the grade OF lieutenant general made
permanent so as to continue to deyoiye
| upon the senior officer of the Army.
| The Senate Committee on Military AZ
| fairs at its regular meeting next Thurs
| day will consider the question Of providing
| for an increase in the rank Of Generals
Miles and Corbin by amendments TO the
Army Appropriation bill. and it is prob
| able that the plan will be agreed to; but
! should it be considered advisable to Sc
| cure this object through the enactment
I OF separate laws the required bills will
| at once be introduced and there is every
| reason to believe that their early passage
| will he secured