The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-12-28
The Lieutenant General Sc
verely Reprimanded.
TALKED TOO MUCH
Acting Under Instructions From President
Roosevelt Secretary Root Censures the
Officer in Harsh Manner.

ton of the administration to absolutely
terminate the further discussion of the
Sampson Schley controversy took shape
in the publication today of some remark
able correspondence between Secretary
Root and Lieutenant General Miles rea-
tive to the latter's interview, published
in a Cincinnati paper and in the assoc-
ated press papers commenting upon the
Schley case. When the interview APP
peared it attracted much attention off
cially but after the lapse of two days
without any sign of official action the
conclusion became general that the inter
view would be ignored. Therefore the
publication this afternoon of the full cor
respondence on this subject created
sensation in army and navy circles 1t
is seldom that so severe reprimand is
administered to an officer of high rank
in either service. What the result will
be cannot he foretold, although it is as
sumed that General Miles will submit
without further comment.
The nearest parallel of this case of re-
cent years, excluding the incidents con
nected with the celebrated beef inquiry,
was that of Rear Admiral Meade, who
upon returning from cruise in Venezu
elan waters with the white squadron ac
corded an interview to New York
newspaper severely criticising the add
ministration for its 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 active
service.
That General Miles appreciates the
situation 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 de-
partment and even then there was no
expression of satisfaction on the secre-
tary's part at the second explanation.
However, Secretary Root himself re-
CARDS the incident as closed. At least
he does not purpose to take any further
action unless obliged to do so.
The interview with General Miles was
published on the morning of Dec. II
and the associated press report of it was
as follows:
"Cincinnati, Ohio Dec. 16 Gen. Mel
son A. Miles, speaking today of the find
ings of the Schley court of inquiry, said
1 am willing to take the judgment OF
Admiral Dewey in the matter. He has
been the commander of fleet, and as
such has known the anxieties and re-
sponsibilities which rest upon man un
der these circumstances. He was in
strumental in the destruction of one
Spanish fleet and knows and realizes
the feelings that encompass an officer
under such conditions. l think Dewey
has summed up the matter in a clea,
and concise manner, and believe hi.
conclusions will be Endorsed by the pa
triotic people of the United States.
have no sympathy with the efforts which
: have been made to destroy the honor O
an officer under such circumstances"
The text OF the correspondence which
passed between the secretary of war anc
General Miles follows:
War Department, Washington, Dec
10. l@l.-Sir: I am instructed by tn,
president to call your attention to tn,
} inclosed report of an interview with you
appearing in the associated press news
papers of Tuesday, Dee. II, and to in
quire whether the observations upon tn,
action of a coordinate branch of tn,
r service in a matter now pending in tn,
| navy department We're made as reported
and, if so, to afford you such opportunit,
,, for explaining in writing as you may de
sire. Yours respectfully
/ "ELIHU ROOT,
, Secretary of War.
= To the secretary's letter General Mile.
made this reply:
, "Headquarters of the Army, Washing
ton, Dec. 20, 1901. The Honorable. tn,
Secretary of War, Washington, ID. G.
Sir: Replying to your note of the 19tl
/ instant ! have the honor to state tina
my observations, as substantially re
ported, had no reference to the action
pending or otherwise, of co ordinat,
branches of the service; they were mere
~ my personal views based upon ma,
tiers set forth in various publication.
which have been given to the world. ans
/ concerning which conceive there wa.
no improperly in expressing am opinion
the same as any other citizen upon ;
matter of such public interest. NV oh
servations were in no sense intended a.
criticism of any action taken by co
ordinate branch of the service, and tn,
statement that l h;ki no sympathy Will
, any efforts tending to disparge dis
ltinguished and gallant officer iikewis,