The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
PRESIDENT NOT WORRIED
THREATS OF GEN. MILES'S FRIENDS
DO NOT TROUBLE HIM.
He Believes the Reprimand Is Gener-
ally Approved-No Politics In the
Military Service.


Washington correspondent says: "Presi-
dent Roosevelt did not let any worry in
regard to the possible action of General
Miles or his friends interfere with his ell
joyment of his Christmas turkey. 1t would
make but little difference to the President
whether his disciplining of General Miles
proved popular or not. because in his opn-
ion, the time had arrived to show his disap-
prevail of action such as General Miles was
guilty of. He is, nevertheless, more than
pleased at the manner in which his course
has been approved by the country at large.
Since the announcement that General Miles
had been reprimanded, the President has
received hundreds of letters and kilograms
commencing his action. The statement
that General Miless friends intended to
bring up the matter in Congress does not
seem to cause the friends of the President
any worry.
miles is one of those military men who
for years has been working his influence
to his own advantage. That influence con-
sisted principally of his pull with the
Sherman family of Ohio, to which he is
connected by marriage. But the Sherman
influence is to-day not a vigorous force in
politics, and Miles, it is thought, has
worked it to the limit. Since his appoint
ment by President Cleveland, on the recon-
mendation of Secretary OF War Lamont. to
the command of the army, General Miles
has been disturbing element at the War
Department. An official of the administra-
ton, in referring 20 this, said:
% Secretary Root is not the first head of
the War Department who has discovered
to his chagrin that Miles was working
against him in the department and trying
in various ways TO defeat the legislation
that he, the secretary, desired to en-
acted. 1t is the knowledge of these things
that decided President Roosevelt to take
advantage OF General Miles's inexcusable
disregard of the army regulations and to
mete out the punishment that he believed
the action justified.
when Benjamin +. Tracy was secretary
of the navy he appeared before the Senate
naval committee in advocacy of certain
naval legislation. then pending. After CIV
ing his views to the committee he left the
room somewhat hurriedly, and he, to his
establishment, almost ran into two naval
lieutenants in the hall near the door of the
naval committee room lobbying against
the very measure that he had been advo-
eating before the committee. This kind
of thing President Roosevelt will not toll
crate. He has determined that ermy and
navy officers must keep out of politics
and not interfere with matters pending be-
fore Congress.
1.-The reprimand of General Miles must
be regarded in a general way a notice
served TO both branches of the military
service that he desires and expects them
been educated by the government for and
are paid to perform. He is not afraid of
General Miles or his friends. He thinks
he has done his duty and it must be said
that almost everybody in Washington
agrees with him, for General Miles has been
making himself something of a nuisance
both in and out of official and military cir
cles for long time
." AS to the manner in which the Pres
ident conveyed TO General Miles his dis
pleasure, the public must take with consid-
hi Ion fhn ctr ~.
sensational journals, both in regard to this
matter and other events that follow each
other so rapidly In this most vigorous of
administrations. If President Roosevelt
shook his finger in the face of General
Miles he did what he has probably done to
every man that he has conversed with on
public matters since he has been at the
White House. The President has habit of
emphasizing his remarks in this way. 1t is
entirely natural and original with him, and
may be said to be an unconscious move
ment. He was not more vigorous than
usual when he talked with General Miles,
nor was he particularly angry with him,
but he was firm and emphatic. as he al
ways is.
I'm connection with this it may be said
that il was President Roosevelt's intention
to have invited General Miles into the Cab
met room for a private conversation, but
the general. who Is something of bounder
did not give him chance, but rushed at
him in the outside reception room and be-
gan making his explanation. Under the
circumstances the President thought it just
as we'll TO have it out then and there with
General Miles, and he did.
THE rumor that General Miles is to ask
for a court of inquiry is without founda-
ton. The rumoT is absurd upon its face
because, General Miles having admitted the
utterance of the sentiments attributed to
him, the only question for the court to de-
eide would be whether the President was
right in censuring him. AS the President is
the commander-in-chief of the army and
navy, no court would undertake TO pass
upon such question. Beside this, General
Miles is very well aware that II he were to
ask for a court of inquiry the request
would not only be refused, but that he
would Immediately be placed upon the re-
tired list. an act which is within the Pres
ideOt'S ~