The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-22
MILES CALLED DOWN
GENERAL OF ARMY
GETS SEVERE ROAST.
REPRIMANDED BY Mr.. ROOT.
HIS APPROVAL OF DEwEY's FIND
ING THE CAUSE.

Probably the Severcst Reproof Ever
Administered to the Commanding
General of the Army Visited Upon
aGen. Miles by the Secretary OF
War-It Is Harsh in Terms and
Long Drawn Outdoor Miles
Suuirms and EndeavOrs to Set
Things Straight, But Only Makes
Matters Worse.
washington. Dec. 21.-A determine
tion on the part of the administration
to absolutely terminate further dis
cussion of the Schley- Sampson con-
troversy took shape in the publication
to-day of some remarkable correspond
enee that has passed between Secretary
Root and Lieut.. Gen. Nelson A. Miles,
relative to the latter's interview, pub
lished in a Cincinnati paper, COM
nenting upon the Schley case. When
the interview appeared it attracted
considerable attention officially, but
after the lapse of two days without
any sign of official action, the con-
clusion became general that the in
terview would be ignored. Therefore,
the publication this afternoon of the
full CORRESPONDENCE on this subject
created a sensation in army and navy
circles. 1t is seldom that so severe
a reprimand is administered to an off,
Ger of high rank in either service.
What the result may be cannot be
foretold, although it is assumed that
comment.
The nearest parallel to this case Of
late years. excluding the incidents con-
nected with the celebrated beef in
quiry, was that of Rear Admiral Rich
ard Meade, who, upon returning from
cruise in Venezuelan waters with the
White Squadron, accorded an interview
to a New York newspaper severely
criticizing the administration for it's
lack of vigor in dealing with the Vene-
Suelap question. The outcome of that
case was the early retirement Of the
Rear Admiral from active service
That Gen. Miles appreciates the Sit
uatinp iH shown by the deep concern
he manifested to-day, and his frequent
visits to the office of Secretary Root
IT was necessary for him to write two
letters to meet the demands of the de-
partment, and even then there was no
expression of satisfaction on the Secre-
tary's part at the second explanation.
However, Secretary Root himself re-
CARDS theaineident as closed. At least,
he does not propose to take any fur
ther action unless obliged to do so.
The full text OF the correspondence
which passed between the Secretary of
War and Lieut.. Gen. Miles follows:
War Department, Washington, Dec.
10, 1901.-Sir l am instructed by the
President to call your attention to the
inclosed report of an interview with
you, appearing in the Associated Press
newspapers of Tuesday, Dec. II, and
to INQUIRE whether the observations
upon the action of a coordinate
branch of the service in matter now
pending in the Navy Department were
made as reported, and if so, to afford
you such opportunity for explanation
in writing as you may desire. Very
respectfully,
"Elihu Root, Secretary of War"
ITO Lieut.. Gen. Nelson A. Miles. Head
quarters of the Army"
The Miles Interview.
The interview referred to by Secre-
tary Root was as follows:
Cincinnati, Dec. 16, 19O1.-Gen. Mel
son A. Miles, commanding the United
OLdLcS ARMY, dTTlNSQ HcIO IO-NoSs az
companied by Mrs. Miles. They are
guests of Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Wiborg,
at Clifton Mrs. Wiborg is a relative
of Mrs. Miles.
"In speaking of the finding of the
Schley court of inquiry, Gen. Miles
said: 4 am willing to take the judg-
ment of Admiral Dewey in the matter.
He has been a commander OF a fleet,
and as such has known the anxieties
and responsibilities which rest on
man under these circumstances. He
was Instrumental in the destruction of
one Spanish fleet and knows and real
lies the feelings that encompass an Of
ficer under such conditions.
I think Dewey has summed up the
matter in a clear and concise manner
and I believe his conclusions will be
tndorsed by the patriotic people of the
United States. / have no sympathy
with the efforts which have been made
TO destroy the honor OF an officer un-
Ger such circumstances.
To the secretary's letter, Lieut.. Gen.
Miles made this reply:
Headquarters of the Army, WASH
sngton, D. c., Dec. 20, 19O1.-The Hon
orable, the Secretary of War Wash
ington, d. C. Sir-Replying to your
note of the 18th instant, 1 have the
honor to state that my observation as
substantially reported, had no refer
ence to the action, pending or other
wise, of a coordinate branch of the
service; they were merely my personal
views based upon matters set forth in
various publications which have been
given to the world and concerning
which conceive there was no impro-
priety in the expressing of an opinion
the same as any other citizen upon a
matter of suoh public interest
My observations were in no sense
Intended as a criticism of any action
taken by a coordinate branch of the
service, and the statement that had
no sympathy with any efforts tending
70 disparage a distinguished and gal
liant officer likewise had no such refer
ence. Very respectfully,
Nelson A. Miles,
Lieutenant General"
Miles, Second Letter.
Gen. Miles supplemented this letter
with the following, handed to the Sec