The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-18

The recall OF Brig. Gen. Joe Wheeler
from the Philippines has caused consider
able comment in army circles and among
his many friends In Washington Though
the order requiring General Wheeler TO
proceed to San Francisco was Issued jan
uary 10. it was not published among the
other army orders OF that date. and Ad-
iutant General Corbin denied that any such
order had been issued until shown a copy
OF General Wheelers letter to a friend in
Florence. Ala. in which he says he has
resigned his position In the army.
General Corbin then said that orders had
been cabled General Otis for General
Wheeler to proceed to San Francisco. ard
on arriving there to report to the Adjutant
General Of the Army for directions from
the Secretary of War. Further than saying
that the order had been issued, General
Corbln declined to discuss General Wheel
er's recall. In the letter to his friend in
Alabama, General Wheeler said that he in
tended to devote his time TO securing leg
islatiCn by Congress on some mineral
lands in which he was Interested The let
ter to his friend was dated Pauiqui. Island
OF Luzon. December 3 1899
While the War Department officials de-
cline to discuss General Wheeler's recall
to this country it is said by his friends
that ever since his arrival at Manila he
has been ignored by General Otis. who
instead of giving him command of troops
and sending him to the front as he request
ed, has kept General Wheeler at
headquarters in Manila, while the com
10, 81, 10. 81.
to younger and less experienced men Cen
eral Wheeler, il is said. appealed to the
Secretary of War to be given active duty
and the appeal not being granted he went
so far as TO write the President regarding
his future in the army. The President
was greatly worried about the treatment
General Wheeler was receiving at the
hands of General Otis but he took no steps
to remedy the matter. General Wheeler
is then said TO have rendered his rcsigna-
ton. but instead OF accepting the resig
nation he was ordered to return to San
Francisco.
The friends OF General Wheeler are rot
pleased with the actions of the War De-
partment officials in sending him 10 the
Philippines and allowing him to have his
seat in Congress lmperiled. and then re-
fusing to give him command of troops in
the field. The argument advanced by
some of the War Department officials is !
that General Wheeler has not been as
signed to active service because OF his adj |
yanced age. and il was feared that he /
might break down. This is answered b. |
his friends asking why he was sent to /
the Philippines.
When General Wheeler volunteered for /
service in the Philippines il was with the |
understanding that he would be sent TO /
the front. and his friends say that II there
was no Intention on the part of the Sec
Rotary OF War TO give him active duty
be ought never to have been ordered 10
Manila
Some Of the friends Of General Wheeler
In Congress say that he may yet resume
his seat in that body. According to his
letter he had resigned his commission in
the army December .. two days prior to
the converting OF Congress. II the rec
ords of the War Department show that
his resignation was rendered on or be-
fore December I. 1t is held that he viii!
still be considered member OF Congress.
md be entitled to his seat
The President. it Is said was in favor
II naming both Wheeler and FitZhugh Lee
IS brigadier generals in the Regular Army.
nut the friends OF Generals Ludlow,
ioung. and Macarthur succeeded in get
ing them appointed TO the vacancies in
hat rank. and there Is now no vacancy to
which Generals Lee and Wheeler could be
ppointed. The first vacancy will occur
ghen Major General Merritt retires. in
unc and General Otis is appointed to sue
ecd him. which. 1t is said will be done.
BY that time General Wheeler will have
his seat in Congress