Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-11-02
THOSE STARTLING DISCLOSURES.
George r. Washburn Does mol Raise Enthus
asm Of Hearers Very High.

Boston, Nov. l.-Old Faneuil hail was
crowded 10 the doors. tonight. to hear
the startling disclosures which George
F. Washburn. president of the Bryan
club of Massachusetts. had promised
TO make and which at a meeting of the
club. last week, he said would prove
veritable bombshell TO the Republican
party. The disclosures proved a series
OF charges contained in letters from
some che in Washington. whose identity
was guaranteed on Mr.. Washburns
word that the administration had not
asel Gen. Miles justly during the Span
ish war. more especially during the
campaign in Cuba and Puerto Rico.
The rally vas enthusiastic but no es-
pec.al demonstration greeted the let
tiers. much Of the facts in them appar-
emily have been given publicity during
the discussions which followed the
close Of the war.
President Washburn was first intro
duced amid a great uproar of applause.
The documents which he read We're II
i'll number. including his own letters
addressed 70 some one in Washington.
The identity Of the correspondent was
not given out for the reason. the speak
cr said. that permission had not been
as Yet granted. Three If the docu-
ments were drafts Of pruclamations
addressed u the people Of Puerto Rico
under date IF Guanica July - and q
lsGS cne being Cen. Miles original
draf.. another h5ing an alleged per-
verted draft by 4 staff officer over Gen
Miles signature. which il Is alleged
would have made Gen. Miles liable 70
c3urtmartial. ana the third. which was
finally promulgated after Gen. Miles
had intercepted the second draft
Nj Washburn's letter. dated oct. II
1900 asked for definite information a.
III rImo~ which had reached him
that tie administration had tried t.
forestau Gen Miles during his Puerto
Rican campaign. The Washington
correspondents letter Of oct. II stated
that a printed copy Of correspondence
enclosed would serve ~ indicate Ito
you. my relation 10 the Puerto RicaA
campaign.
What that relation was d!d not APP
pear in the letter Ny Washburn ac-
knowledged this favor On the 18th and
asked for more specific facts On The
alleged action Of the war department
10 -fOrestan Gen. Miles" The Wash
ington reply on the 18th reviewed Gen.
Miles military career in the civil War
ana his relations with the President
at the opening OF the spanish war.
Then followed an account Of General
Miles visit rs the Florida military
carnps. his trip 70 Cuba when Gen.
Shafter vas before Santiago. and then
a review of the difficulties attending
the generals efforts to get his Puerto
Rican expedition in motion.
The letter laid stress on alleged ia
voritism in the promotion Of officers on
duty az Washington. and the alleged
endeayor to hamper Gen Miles al
every stage OF the military operations.
the direct charges being that certain
officers in behalf Of the war depart
ment were playing false 10 Gen Miles
Mr.. Wasnburn's reply 10 this letter
was written two days later and dealt
evidently with the political bearing Of
the administration alleged attitude
toward Gen. Miles. Five days later
another letter came from y ashlngton
10 MIR Washburn adding more details
10 Gen. Miles campaign in Puerto Ri
co. repeating extracts from orders
from Washington to the general and
To Rear Admiral Sampson. for the lat
ter to cooperate and concluded with
an expression Of opinion as To what
the intent of the administration was
in its dealings with Gen Miles The
point sought to have been made in
this letter was the sudden change in
tile relations between Miles and Samp-
son. the allegation being that the lat
ter had orders to obstruct the former
wherever ii was possible.
After reading the letters. Mr.. Wash
burn stated that he challenged the
Washington authorities To refute the
charges.
Among the other speakers We're Hon.
! George (. Boutwell,. Frank r. Sanborn.
Mr.. Philip L. Nickerson. secretary Of
/ the club. and Rev. Park x. Bradford
! OF Lowell