The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-22
A SENSATION IN
Army CIRCLES
General Miles Severely Disciplined
by Secretary Root.
HEAVY FINGER OF AUTHORITY
The Highest Officer In the Service Cannot
Speak His Mind Like a Common citl-.
zeu-Rsprimand Sharp and
Unmerciiui.
HEAVY FINGER OF AUTHORITY
(Ey Associated Press }


WASHINGTON, ID. Co. Dec. CA de-
termination on the port of the Admins.
tration absolutely to terminate further
discussion of the Sanlpson-Schtey con-
troversy took shape in the publication to-
Cay OF some remarkable correspondence
that has PASSED between Secretary Root
and Lieutenant-General Miles, relative
to the latters interview published in
Cincinnati paper. commenting upon the
Schley case. Wien the interview ap-
peared it attracted considerable attention
officially, but after tho LAPSE Of two days
without any sign of official action, the
conclusion became general that the inter-
view would be ignored. Therefore. the
publication this afternoon of the full cor
respondence on this subject created
sensation in army and navy circles. It
is seldom that so severe a reprimand Is
administered to an officer of high rank
in either service. What the result may
(. be cannot be foretold. although 1t Is as
sl1med that General Miles will submit
without further comment
The nearest parallel to this case of
late years, excluding the incidents CON.
nected with the celebrated beef inquiry.
was that of Rear-AdrniraI Richard Meade,
who, upon returning from a cruise in.
Venezuelan waters with the White.
Squadron, accorded an interview to a,
New York newspaper, severely CRITICS..
ing the Administration for Its lack OF
vigor in dealing with the Venezuelan
question. The outcome of that case was
the early retirement of the Redr-Admlral
from active. service.
q That General Miles appreciates fhs Sit
uation is shown by the; deep coHcerne
he manifested to-day and hts frequent
visits to the Office of Secretary foot.
|i1ttW was necessary for him to write Two
letters to meet the demands OF tho depart
ment and even then there was no express
sion of satisfaction ON the secretary'; part
at the second explanation. However,
Secretary Root himself regards the incl
dent as closed At least he does not
propose to take any further action un-
legs obliged to do so.
THE CORRESPONDENCE
The full text Of the correspondence
which passed between the Secretary OF
War and General Miles follows:
War Department.
''Washignton. Dec. 10. 1901.
"Sir-I am instructed by the President
to call your attention to the inclosed r.:
port Of the interview with you. appear
in. in the Associated Press newspapers
of Tuesday, December 17h. and to in
uuire whether TIE observation tof tho
action Upon the action Of 4 co-ordina1s
branch of the service in a matter now
pending in the Navy Department we're
made as reported. and if SO. to afford
you such opportunity for explanation IN
writing as you may desire.
every respectfully.
.ELIHU ROOT,
Secretary OF War.
"To Lieut. General Nelson 4. Miles.
'.Headduartcrs of the Army"
INTERVIEW IN QUESTION.
The interview referred to- by Secretary
Root was as follows:
CINCINNATI. O.. Dec. 16--Genera1
Nelson ~. Miles. commanding the United
states sarr1lv. arrived here to-day accom-
raniad by Mrs. Miles. They are guests
Of AIr. and Mrs. Frank s7WiborE. at Cuff
|. ton. Mrs Wiborg being q relative OF
Mrs Miles. In speaking of the finding