The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-12-23


the matter in the controversy and re.
port had been made in which one mem.
Der of the court had dissented in some
particulars from the majority, and the
report was pending before the review
ing authority.
AT this point you the lieutenant gen
| eral of the army, saw fit to make a
| public expression of your opinion as be-
tween the majority and the minority
| of the court, accompanied by criti-
| cism of the most severe character,
which could not fail to be applied by
| the generality of readers to the naval
officers against whose view your opin-
ion was expressed.
| 1t is of no consequence on whose side
| your opinion was, or what 1T was.
| You had no business in the controversy
and no right, holding the office which
you did, to express any opinion. Your
| conduct was in violation of the regula-
! ton above cited and of the rules Of Of
fetal propriety, and you are justly liza
bic to censure which I now express.
Very respectfully,
Elihu Root, Secretary of War.
p. S.-Your second letter of explana-
'ibf' SesttCo to~NdS sIlid iCtCiNCd oiHSC
the above was written, does not change
the case. The necessity for repeated ex-
plantations but illustrates the import
ance of the rule which you have vio-
ated. Elhu Root,
Secretary of War
Secretary Roots action in bringing
the utterances of General Miles to the
attention of the president was in fur
theranee of a strong desire to keep the
army free from the effects of the naval
controversy. He has been aware for
some time that army officers holding
opinions on the case had expressed
themselves privately, but not until Gen
eral Miles interview In Cincinnati in
which he said: Il have no sympathy
with the efforts which have been made
to destroy the honor of an officer I'M
der such circumstances" did he feel
that the army had been drawn into the
conflict. He Immediately determined
that stop must be put to further dis
cussion of the subject and at once con-
suited the president. This was II the
early part Of the week and when Gem
eral Miles returned to Washington on
Thursday he found the following letter
from the secretary of war awaiting his
attention:
War Department.
Washington, Dec. 10, 1901.
Sir; / am instructed by the president
to call your attention to the inclosed
report of an interview with you. appear
ing n the newspapers of Tuesday, De-
cember II, and to inquire whether the
observations upon the action Of a CO.
ordinate branch of the service In a
matter now pending in the navy de-
partment We're made as reported, and IL
SO, to afford you such opportunity for
explanation in writing you as you may
desire. Very respectfully,
[Signed] Elfhu Root,
Secretary of War.
Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles, |
Headquarters Of Army.
General Miles replied to this letter on
Friday as follows: -
Sir Replying to your note of the
18th inst. / have the honor to state that |
my observations. as substantially re- |
ported, had no reference to the action,
pending or otherwise, of a coordinate
branch of the service: they were merely |
my personal views based upon matters
set forth in various publications which
had been given to the world, and con-
corning which I conceive there was no
in expressing an opinion
the same as any other citizen upon
matter OF such public interest.
My observations were in no sense in
tended as a criticism of any action
taken by coordinate branch of the
service, and the statement that l had
no sympathy with any efforts tending
to disparage distinguished and GAL
ant officer likewise had no such refer
ence.
This letter was laid before the presi-
lent Friday by Secretary Root and
hey both agreed that it was in no
sense satisfactory as an explanation.
they were firmly of the opinion that
strong measures were required to put
IN end to discussion of the Schley case
md Secretary Root held that only by
,eprimand could the subject be
brought to General Miles attention in
uch way as to insure requirements
With the army regulations. General
Niles was not satisfied with his first
etter of explanation, and calling upon
Secretary Root Saturday afternoon he
made a personal statement, and at the
anne time filed a second letter of ex-
,lanation. Secretary Root had already,
lowever. drafted his letter of rebuke
nd merely told General Miles that he
would consider his second letter of ex-
lanation and bring it to the attention :
f the president at once. General Miles
al fo11nuc
Headquarters of the Army, =
Washington, Dec. q, 1901.
he Secretary of War: {
Sir: Referring to my note of yester- i
ay, and in order that there may be {
o misunderstanding, | desire to say (
hat for several years a distinguished i
nd gallant officer have been assailed 6
Y parties who have endeavored to s
rite him and other high officials down, /
ntil finally he appealed against such t
ssaults to a coordinate branch of the
overnment That CO. ordinate branch n
f the government granted him court f
{ inquiry and, as | understand it, they +
exonerated him from such +
oithets as coward, poltroo, etc, and +
leir opinions We're given to the public !,
NJ the inflammation of all citizens