The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1901-12-27
GEN. MILES RPR|MANDED
TALKED ON scHLEY VERDICT.
secretary Hoot Calls Him Down sad
Asks for an Expisnation--The
General Replies la Two Letters
Not satisfactory 10 senstor-May
Ai1an Another Trial.

Washington, Dee. 22-Because Ileuten
ant General Nelson A. Miles, in an iu-
tersieg al Cincinnati, commented on the
findings Of the sehley court Of inquiry,
Secretary of War Root, by direction of
the president, severely reprimanded the
ranking officer Of the army.
The Words Of Lieutenant General Miles
which gave ofiense were contained III the
following expression;
II aim wiling 10 take the Judgment OF
Admiral Dewey in the matter. lie has
been a commander Of fleet, and As such
has known the anxieties and responsibility
lies which rect upon a man under these
circumstances. lie Was instrumental an
the destruction Of one spanish heet, and
knows and realizes the feelings that en-
compass an officer under such conditions.
lhislk DeAey has summed up the matter
in clear and concise manner, aud ! BE-
lleye his conclusions iii be Endorsed BY
the pariosie people Of the United States.
have no sympathy with the efforts aaieA
have been made to destroy the honor VI
an oiissr under such circumstances.
The determination ON the part Of the adj
aninlstration absolutely 10 terminals fur
thsr discussion Of the sampson eeaiey
controversy took shape in the publication
of some sralarkable correspondents Thai
has tssssssi l,ctAe~a Secretary Root AMI
Lieutenant General Miles relative 10 The
lassefs Interview. pubslshei in csacia'
natl paper. uosnmeasins upon the sc,le,s
ease. When the intrrsirA appeared, !,
attracted much attention officially, btit
after The lapse Of tao days without any
sagn OF offleisl action, the conclusion o~'
eassas general that the intersles would he
ignored Thefrf0fs the publication OF the
fall correspondents on this canr created A
srssaation Ia army and naval circles "
il s~ldom that NJ severe a t~ptiinani Is
administered 10 an osiicwr III high rank
in rishrs s~r,sc~. What the result will
be can not t~ tosr.ald, although il u as.
ssinaed that Geasfai Miles will submit
without further comment
That General Miles appreciates the
situation 10 shosn by the deep concern
be manifested and bis irequens sisiss 10
the Office of Secretary Root. II ass nr''
~s~sry for him 10 write two lesiers 10
sse~; Tho demands 81 the department.. and
esrn thrn thrfe VAS no expression Of ALT
isfactian on The part Of the secretary foF
tho second explanation. However. secrr'
tary Root himself regards tho incident as
eio..si. AT least he docs not purpose 20
take any further action unless Obliged to
do 80.
Fart Of The a~pwtmsad.
The rrpriusand IL consain~i In the fol.
iosing letter Of Secretary Root to Gen.
erai Miles
war Department, Washington. Dec.
e Sir: Hy dircction Of the president.
/ communicate to you hss conclusions
upon your eour~ in the interview to
which your attention was called by my
letter Of the 18th.
.your explanation Of the public state. |
ment made by you Is not satisfactory.
You are in error when you say that you
have the same right a. any other eit.
tcn to express publicly an opinion regard.
ng the questions pending in The course
Il military discipline. The established
nvarisble rules Of official proprie'y nee.
.s~srv TO the effective discipline of the
ervicr impose limitations upon the pub.
ie expression OF military officers.
"A court Of inquiry has been held on
he matters in controversy and report
lad been made in which one member OF
he court had dissented In some particti.
srs from the majority, and the Frport
sas pending before the reviewing author
.v. At this point the Lieutenant; general
4 the army Jaw ~ to make public ey-
rcssion Of his opinion "a between tho
IA jority and the minority of the court.
by criticism Of most 80
ere character, which would not fail TO
e applied by the generality Of readers
> the naval officers against whose view L
our opinion was expressed. II Is OF no ,
ons~1uence on whose side your opinion
-as or what II was You had no bust
e@s In the controversy and no right. .
gliding the O &c which you did. to eS- :
ress any opinion. Your conduct was in
collation. Of the regulation above cited /,
nd the rules Of official proprieiy. and
ou are Justly liable to censnre. which
NV express Very respectfully,
ELIHU ROOT. Secretary OF War.
fsL;eutcnant General Nelson A. Miles.
Of the Army.
"P S.--Your second letter Of explana- y
on, received since the above was writ =
n. does not change the case. The me- !.
salty for repeated explanation but illus i
atc- the importance Of the rule which 7
~ have violated.
"ELIHU ROOT, Secretary Of War
\
Fortwne Lost NJ Cards. "
7 ondnn nNc ORA dispatch To a news