The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-22
HIS HIGH RANK NO EXCUSE
OFFENsE GREATER BECAUSE HE is
GENERAL OF THE ARMY.
Action subversive of Discipline VIII
Not BE Tolerated i'm Any officer,
No matter What Grade.
sU.c,al to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec. H.-The Sampson
schley controversy aftermath promises to
he more sensational than the case was at
the start To-day. soon after it was an
nounced the President and secretary of the
navy had washed their hands of the whole
mess by accepting the report Of the naval
court and refusing to listen to further ap-
peals, came the announcement that His
torian Maclay had been dismissed from the
from Secretary Of War Root severely rep
rimanding Lieutenant General Miles for
commenting in a published interview, on
the verdict of the Schley naval court The
Iast-named incident caused considerable
surprise, as also did a scene in the White
House. when General Miles obeyed sum-
mons sent by the President. General Miles
appeared at the Presidents morning recep-
ton. and was compelled to listen to
scolding which probably was more unpleas-
ant than it would have been to have gen.
eral orders read TO the army censuring his
conduct in giving an interview criticising
a coordinate branch of the government.
President Roosevelt lectured the general
much after the fashion that he would
a boy who was misbehaving. He talked
loud In the presence OF a score or more Wis
itors.
The correspondence between Secretary
Root and General Miles regarding the in
terview which was given to Cincinnati
paper, is out OF the ordinary When the
interview appeared IL attracted consider
able attention officially. but after the lapse
of two days without any sign of official
action, the conclusion became general that
the interview would be ignored There
fore. the publication this afternoon of the
full correspondence on this subject created
a sensation in army and naval circles.
1t is seldom that severe a reprimand is
administered TO an officer Of high rank in
either service. What the result will be
cannot be foretold. although it is assumed
that General Miles will submit without
further comment.
THE MEADE CASE RECALLED.
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 cruise in Venezuelan
waters with the White Squadron accorded
an interview TO New York papers severely
criticising the administration for its lack
OF vigor in dealing with the Venezuelan
question. The outcome OF that case was
the early retirement of the rear admiral
from active service.
That General Miles appreciates the situa-
ton is shown by the deep concern he mani
tested to-day and his frequent visits to
the office of Secretary Root. 1t was neces-
sa-y for him to write two letters 10 meet
the demands Of the department and even
then there was no expression OF satisfac-
ton on the secretary's part at the second
explanation However. Secretary Root
himself regards the incident as closed. At
least. he does not propose TO take any
further action unless Obliged to do SO.
The fun text OF the correspondence
which passed between the secretary of
war and General Miles follows:
WASHINGTON. Dee. 70.
.Sir-I am instructed by the President
70 call your attention 10 the inclosed re-
port OF an interview with you, appearing
in the Associated Press newspapers of
Tuesday. Dec. l., and To inquire whether
the observations on the action OF a CO.
ordinate branch OF the service In matter
now Dc rdil.s I'm the Navy Department were
you such opportunity for explanation in
writing ss YOU may desire
.sELIHU- ROOT. Secretary OF War.
s'Ifeutenant General Miles, Headquarters
OF the Army.
THE INTERVIEW.
The interview referred to by Secretary
Root was az follows:
Cincinnati o.. Dec 16.-Gen. Nelson \.
Miles. commanding the United states army.
arrived here to-day. accompanied by Mrs
Miles They are guests OF Mr., and Mrs.
Frank WibOrg. at Clifton, Mrs. Wlborg be-
ing "A relative OF Mrs Miles. In speaking
OF the finding OF the Schley court OF in
oulry General Miles said. 4 am willing 20
take the Judgment Of Admiral Dewey In the
matter. lie has been commander OF
feet and as such has known the anxieties
and responsibilities which rest on a man
under these circumstances. lie was inStru-
mental In the destruction OF one Spanish
feet and knows and realizes the feelings
that encompass an officer under such con-
citions. / think Dewey has summed up
the matter in clear and concise manner.
and / believe his conclusions viii be In
1 dorsed BY the patriotic people or the United
States. have no sympathy with the ef-