The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-22
ROOTS CAUSTIC LETTER
President Roosevelt Respon- Sible for the Call Down.
The Lieutenant Generals Explana- ton That He Had Not Criticised the Naval Court of In-
 quiry Not Accepted.

Washington, Dec. 21.-The determine tion on the part of the administration absolutely to terminate further discussion of the Sampson-schiey controversy took shape In the publication today of some remarkable correspondence that passed between Secretary Root and Lieutenant General Miles relative to the latter's in- teryiew published in Cincinnati paper. commenting upon the Schley case. It IS seldom that SO severe reprimand Is ad- ministered 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. -..-f The nearest parallel to this case of late years, excluding the incidents con- nected with the celebarted beef inquiry was that of Rear Admiral Richard Meade who upon returning from a cruise in Venezuelan waters with the white squadron. accorded an interview to New York newspaper, severely criticizing 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 ap- preciates the situation is shown by the deep concern he manifested today and his frequent visits to the office of Sec retary Root. It 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 the second explana- ton. However Secretary Root hiraself .regaFds the incident as closed. At least he does not propose to take any further action uaIesveAased to do so. The filll text of the correspondence which passed between the Secretary of War and Gen eral Miles follows:
 War Department. "washington, Dec. 1s, 1901. 'Sir-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 17, and to Inquire whether the observations upon the action of a coordinate branch of the service in a matter now pending in the Navy
  if SO, to afford you such opportunity for explanation in writing as you may de- sire. Very respectfully,
 "Elihu Root, Secretary of War. 'gro Lieutenant General Miles"
 The interview referred to by Secretary Root was as follows:
 2 "Cincinnau. Dec. 1G.-General Nelson A. Miles, commanding the United States army arrived here today, accompanied by Mrs Miles. They are guests Of MT. and Mrs. Frank Wiborg at Clifton Mrs. WiborR being d relative of Mrs. Miles. In spGmking of the finding of the Schley court Es inquiry General Miles said:
 "I am willing to take the judgment of Admiral Dewey in the matter He has been a commander of a fleet, and as such, has known the anxieues and pes- possibilities which rest on a man under these circumstances. He was instru- mental in the destruction of one Spanish fleet, and knows and realizes the feeling that encompass an officer under such conditions
 'T think Dewey has summed up the matter in a clear and concise manner. and believe his conclusions will be en- dorsed by the patriotic people of the United States. l have no sympathy with the efforts which have been made to destroy the honor of an officer under such circumstances
 To the Secretary's letter General MlIes made this reply:
 ''Headquarters of the Army,
 Washington. Dec. D. 1901. The Honorable. the Secretary of War.
 Washington.
 "Sir-Replying to your note of the 18th instant, 1 have the honor to state that my observations. as substantially reported. had no reference to the action, pending or otherwise, of coordinate lao Y my personal views, based upon matters set forth in various publications which had been given to the world and con- corning which l conceive there was no impropriety in expressing an opinion the same as any other citizen upon a matter uf such public interest. My observa- tions were in no sense intended as d criticism of any action taken by any coordinate branch of the service and that the statement that I had no sym pathies with any efforts to disparaSe a distinguished and gallant officer like wise had no such reference
 Very respectfully.
 Nelson A. Miles,
 Lieutenant General" General Miles supplemented this letter with the following handed to the Sec retary today:
 Headquarters of the Army,
 Washington. Dec. T, 1901. The Honorable. the Secretary of War: "Sir-Referring to my note of yester- day and in order that there may be no misunderstanding. l 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 appealed against such assaults to a coordinate branch of the govern- ment That coordinate branch of the government granted him court nf in- ouiry and. as I understand 1t, they unanimously exonerated him from such epithets as coward. pOltroon, etc, and their opinions were given to the public for the information of all citizens. When I said I had no sympathy with those who endeavored to destroy the reputation of A high oficial who. like all other off, hcials regard his honor more sacred than