The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-22
II Am Willing to Take Admiral
Dewey's Judgement" Milss
Had Said.
AND FOR THIS he is RfPRlaAsDED
You Had no Business In the COntroye -sy, no
Righ', Holding the Office Whic1 You
Did, TO Express Any
Opinion"
(By the Associated Press.


Washington, Dec. 21.-A determination
on the part of the Administration ahso-
lutely to terminate further discussion of
the Sampson -Schley controversy took
shape in the publication today of some
remarkable correspondence that has
passed between Secretary Root and Leu
tenant General Miles, relative to the lat
ter's interview. published in Cincinnati
paper, commenting upon the Schley case
When the interview anreared it attracted
considerable attention officially. but af-
tire lapse OF two days without any sign
OF official action, the conclusion became
general that the interview s~Jull be ig-
nored. Therefore, the publication this
afternoon Of the full correspondence on
this subject created a sensation IL army
and navy circles. 1t is seldom that so
severe reprimand is administered O an
officer of high rank in either service
What the result may be cannot be tore
told, although it is assumed that General
Miles will submit without further .oIn-
ment
The nearest parallel to this case Of late
years, excluding the incidents connected
with the celebrated beef inquiry, was that
OF Rear Admiral Richard Meade. who
upon returning from a cruise in Vene-
Zulean waters with the White Squadron
accorded an interview to a New York
newspaper, severely criticising the Ad-
ministration for it's lack of vigor in deal
ing with the Venezuelan question. The
outcome of that case was the early re-
tirement of the Rear Admiral from ac-
tive service.
Tat General Miles appreciates The sit
lation is shown by the deep concern he
manifested today and his frequent visits
to the office of Secretary Root 1t was
necessary for him to write two letters
to meet the demands OF the department
and even then there was no expression
of satisfaction on the secretary's part at
the second explanation. However. Secre-
tary Root himself regards the incident as
closed. At least ne does not propose to
take any further action unless obliged to
do so.
The full text of the correspondence
which passed between the Secretary of
War and General Miles follows:
''War Department,
Washington, D. c.. Dec. 81, 1901.
Sir am instructed by the Presf-
dent to call your attention to the in
closed report of an interview with YOU
appearing in the Associated Press newspa-
pers Of Tuesday, December 18th, 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 re-
ported and if so, to afford You such op-
portunity for explanation in writing as
you may desire.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) "EEIHU ROOT.
Secretary of War.
Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles.
Headquarters of the Army"
The interview referred to by secre-
tary Root was as follows:
Cincinnati, Ohio, December i6
General Nelson A. Miles. commanding
the United States Army, arrived here to-
day accompanied by Mrs. Mites. They arc
guests Of Mr. and Mrs Frarl, Wiborg, at
Clifton Mrs. Wiborg being a relative OF
Mrs. Miles. In speaking of The finding of
the Schley Court of Inquiry. General
Miles said:
am willing to take the Judgment
of Admiral Dewey in the matter. he
has been commander Of 4 fleet, and as
such has known the anxietics and ie-
sponsibilities which rest on a mar under
these circumstances. He was instrumen-
tai in the destruction of one Spanish "eet.
and knows aud realizes the feelings that
encompass an officer under such conGi-
tions.
" / think Dewey has summed; up tho
matter in clear and concise manner. ard
! believe his conclusions will be inJorsed
by the patriotic people of The United
States. / have no sympathy with the eff
forts which have been made to destroy the
honor OF an officer under such eircum-
stances.
To the Secretary's letter. General Miles
made this reply:
Headquarters of the Army. Washing
ton, d. c., December goth. 1901.
The Honorable, the Secretary OF War,
Washington, d. c.
Sir:-Replying to your note OF the
18th instant | have the honor to state