The age-herald., 1901-12-22
Lieutenant General of the Army Severely Criticised by
 Secretary Root HIS CAUSTIC OPINION OF
 NAVAL CLIQUE DID II General Niles Admits Having Made Statements Attributed to Him, But Said He Thought He Had
 Right to Do So.

washington, December M.-The determ- nation on the part of the administra- ton absolutely to terminate further dis cussion of the Sampson-Schiey contro- versy took shape in the publication today of some remarkable correspondence that has passed between Secretary Root and Lieut-Gen. Miles relative to the latter's interview, published in Cincinnati paper commenting upon the schley case
 It is seldom that so severe reprimand is administered to an officer of nisn rank in either service What the result will be cannot be foretold. although It is assumed that General Miles will sub init without further comment.
 The nearest parallel to this case Of late years, excluding the incidents con nected 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 a New York newspaper severely crit icizing the administration for its lack of yigor 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 sit uation. Is shown by the concern he man ffested today. ars bis frequent visi 2 the office of Secretary Root. It was neces- sary for him to write two letters to meet the demands of the department and even then there was no expression Of satisfaction on the secretarys part at the second explanation. However, Sec retary Root himself regards the incident as closed, At least, he does not propose to take any further action until obliged to do 50.
 The Correspondence.
 The full text of the correspondence which passed between the Secretary Of 
 War and General Miles follows:
 War Department,
 washington, December 19, 1901. .s,r: I am instructed by the President to call your attention to the inclosed report of an interview with you appear ing in the Associated Press newspapers of Tuesday. December IT, and to inquire whether the observations upon the ac- tion of a coordinate branch of the service in a matter now pending in the navy department were made as reported and if so, to afford you such opportun- ity for explanation in writing as you may desire.
 "Very respectfully,
 "ELIHU ROOT,
 "secretary of War. "ro Lieutenant General Miles"
 General Miles Letter.
 To the secretary's letter, General Miles made this reply:
 Headquarters of the Army,
 washington, December H. "The Honorable, the Secretary of War, Washington;
 "Sir-Replying to your note of the 18th inst, have the honor to state that my observations, as substantially reported, 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 va rious publications which had been given to the world, and concerning which con pressing an opinion the same as any other citizen upon a matter of such public in- terest. My observations were in no sense intended as a criticism of any action taken by a coordinate branch of the ser vice and the statement that I had no sympathy with any effort tending to dis parage distinguished and gallant officer, likewise had no such reference. Very respectfully, NELSON A. MILES.
 Lieutenant General"
 The Second Explanation.
 General Miles supplemented this letter with the following. handed to the secre- tary today:
 'Headauarters of the Army.
 s|ssWashington. December 2l, 1901. .'The Honorable, The Secretary of War; r-Referring to my note of yester- day and in order that there may be no misunderstanding, desire to say that for several years distinguished and gallant officer has been assailed by parties who have endeavored to write him and other high officials down. until finally he ap- pealed against such assaults to a CO., ~-sinate branch of the government That