The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-12-22
MILEs's EXPLANATION REGARDED AS

washington. Dec. IA determination OF
4 the part of the administration absolutel,
| to terminate further discussion Of the Samp
| son-Schley controversy, took shape In tn:
| publication to-day OF some remarkable cor
respondence that has passed between Sec
| retary Root and Lieutenant General Miles
relative to the latters interview. published
| in Cincinnati paper. commenting upon the
| Schley case. -
When the interview appeared, It attracted
| considerable attention officially. but. afte,
the lapse OF two days without any sign OF
! Official action, the conclusion became gen
| eral that the interview would be ignored.
Therefore. the: publication this afternoon OF
the full correspondence on this subject ere
ated q sensation in army and naval circles.
1t II seldom that 30 severe q reprimaud
Is administered to an omcer Of high rank
in either service. What the result will be
cannot be foretold. although It is assumed
that General Niles will submit without
further comment.
Tho 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 Venezuelan wa
ters with tho White Squadron accorded an
interview to a New York newspaper. Sc
verely 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
once 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 tho second explana>
ton. However. Secretary Root himself re-
CARDS the incident as closed. At leas he
does not propose to take further action un-
less obliged to do 50.
GENERAL MILES'S INTERVIEW
WHICH CALLED FORTH REBUKH.
The full text Of the correspondents which
passed between the Secretary Of War and
General Miles follows:
War Department. Washington. Dec. u. 1901
Sir: / am instructed By the President to call
your attention to tho inclosed report OF an In
tstview with you, appearing in the Associated
P1ess newspapers Of Tuesday. December IL. and
to inquire whether the observations upon the
estiou OF q coordinate branch OF tho service. In
a matter now pending in ths Navy Department.
were made reported. and II 30 to aford you
such opportunity for explanation in writing n
you nay desire. Very respectfully.
EIIHU ROOT. Secretary Of war.
I Lieutenant General Niles. Hsadauaxters- Of the
Army. 80 =
The interview referred to by seezetary
Root was as follows: ,.,.
Cincinnati, Dec. 1s.-Genssal Nelsua A. Miles,
the United States Army. arrived
ERE to-day, accompanied by Ms Miles. They
are guests a Nr. and Mfs. Frank Wiborg At
Clifton. Mrs. Wiborg being relative Of Mrst
Ntles In speaking OF the finding OF tho Schley
Court Of Inquiry. General Niles said:
1 am willing to take the judgment OF Admiral Il
pewer In the matter. He has been n commander
Of q Meet. and as such has known the rrxicties
and responsibilities which rest on man under
those circumstances. He was instrumental IN
the destruction OF one Spanish feet. and knows
and realizes the feelings that encompass An Of
ficer under such conditions.
think Dewey has summed UP the matter in
|. clear and concise manner. and believe his
conclusions will be Endorsed b. the patriotic .
people OF tho United States. have no sympathy
with the efforts which have been made to de-
cumetances. IL
MILES MAKES
TWO EXPLANATIONS.
made this reply:
Headquarters OF tho Army. Washington. D. c..
Dec. %, 1sN.-The Honorable. the Secretary Of l
War. washington. D. c.: sir-Replying to your |
note Of the 18th instant, have the honor to
state that my observations. ~ Substantially re- 1
pofed had no reference to the action pending /
Or otherwise. OF q Coordinate branch Ct :he /
ssrvice; they were merely my personal viexs |
based upon matters Get f3rta In various rutli- |
cations which rad besn given to the world, snd |
which I conceive thers was no impro- L
priety In expressing An opinion the eams A. any
other citizen upon . matter OF sreh public In |
lerest.
Ny observations were IN no senss intended ~ |
/ criticism Of any action taken by . coordinate I
branch OF the service. and the statement that L
had no sympathy with any Efforts tending TO |
lisparagc a distinguished and gallant officer like
wise had no such reference. Very respectfully,
NELSON A NIIEa
Lieutenant General.
General Miles supplemented his letter !
With the following. handed the Secretary
o-day:
Headquarters of the Army. washington. Dec