The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-12-24

Washington, Dec. PA determi-
nation on the part of the ~administra-
ton to absolutely terminate further
discussion of the Sampson-Scheyl con-
troversy took shape in the publica-
ton today of some remarkable cor
r~espondence that has passed between ,
Secretary Root and Lieutenant Gen
eral Miles relative to the latters' in
terview in a Cincinnati news
paper, commenting upon the findings
of the Schley court.
When the interview appeared it at
tracted considerable attention unof-
ficially, but after the lapse OF two
days without any sign of official &C
ton, the conclusion became general
that the interview would be ignored.
Therefore the publication this at
ternoon of the full correspondence
On this subject created a sensation in
army and navy circles. 1t is seldom
that so severe a reprimand is admin
istered to an officer of high rank in
the service.
What the result will be cannot be
foretold, although it is assumed that
General Miles will submit without
further comment.
The nearest parallel to this case
of late years, excluding the incidents
connected with the celebrated beef
inquiry, was that of Rear Admiral
Richard Mead, who, upon returning
from a cruise in Venezuelan waters
with Commodore Whites squadron,
accorded an interview to a New York
newspaper severely criticising the
administration for it's lack of vigor
in dealing with the Venezuelan ques-
ton. The outcome of that case was
the retirement of the rear admiral
from active service.
That General Miles appreciates the
situation is shown by the deep n
Germ he manifested today and his
frequent visits to the Office of Secre-
larry Root. 1t was necessary for him
to write two letters to meet the de-
mands and even then there was no
expression of satisfaction on the Sec
retary's part at the second explana'
ton. However, Secretary Root him
self regards the incident as closed,
At least he does not propose to take
n action unless obliged to do so
inhis letter of reprimand, Secretary
Root says in part:
tYour explanation of the public
statement made by you is not SUI
ficient. You are in error if you sup
pose you have the same right as any
other citizen to express publicly al
opinion regarding official question:
pending. In the course of military dis
cipline the established invariablt
rules of official propriety necessary
to the effective discipline of the ser
vice impose limitations upon the pub
lie expressions of military officers
with which your experience SHOULD
have made you familiar. Your dut!
is to express your opinion on sucl
matters when it is called for by OF
fetal superiors, or in the due cours'
of official reports, and recommends
tons and not otherwise. 1t is of n
consequence on whose side your opir
ion was or what it was. You had n
- R,-;,orc Sr tho aonfp0xynrCY QnH n
right, holding the Office you did, t
express any opinion. Your conduc
was il violation of the regulatio,
above cited, and the rules of officia
propriety, and you are justly liabl
to censure which 1 now express"
The fact that simultaneously wit
the publication of the Miles corr
spondence, Secretary Root gave OF
a copy of Secretary Longs letter d
recting that Maclay's resignation b
requested, taken in connection wit
the publication this morning of tn
final chapters of the Schley case, S
far as it has figured before the nav
department, is taken as an indicatio
of the presidents purpose to clear tn
official records of all pending issue
in that matter. Secretary Roots pu'
LEGATION of the letter directing thu
Maclay's resignation be demanded
explained by the fact that he left tn
white house some time after Seer
tary Long had been there and thu
was in a position to carry out tt
presidents latest wish in the matte
Following is the order published tn
afternoon by the secretary OF war:
"Nayy Department, W~ashingto
Dec. 20-To Rear Admiral A. S. Bar
er, Commanding the Navy Yard. Ne