Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-14
MILES, Retirement
Is Said to Be but Matter Of
a Short Time.
Has Put Himself in Position Which
Worked Own Downfall.
Amusing Rumors Over Gov. Taft,s
Coming OMISSION" to Rome,

Washington. April lathe issues are
fairly joined between the lieutenant
general and secretary of war. The
troubles which began long ago under
the Cleveland administration have fin
ally reached so critical a stage that the
compulsory retirement of Cen Miles at
an carly date is an open secret and is
not denied at the White House. In ex-
PLANTATION Of President Roosevelts posi
ton, one of mis- close friends, who m
questionably speaks by authority. saws:
THE question is mot a personal one
between Gen. Miles and Secretary Root
At present Secretary Root has on his
shoulders a heavier burden than any
other member of the administration. No
man less strong would carry it all: and
now, at the very time when he REQUIRES
the most loyal support of every sub
ordinate who wishes well to the army
and the nation, he has to spend much
of his strength in meeting the opposi-
ton of the commanding general If
Gen. Miles is retired it will be simDlv
because after patient trial President
Roosevelt feels that on the highest
ethical grounds his retention would
work grave and lasting injustice to the
army as a whole"
As some Of Gen. Miles friends have
said that it would be unfair to retire
him, it should be said in the first place
that he secured his promotion to a briga.
der gencralship only through the similar
forced retirement of Gen. Ord, he him
self being jumped over n number of his
senior officers into the vacancy thus Gre
- ted. and in the second Mace ba Inc,
only action of the kind taken by Prcsi-
dent Roosevelt since he has been in Of
flee was in the case of Col. Moves, who
was compulSurily retired after reaching
the age of G., on the recommendation OF
Gen. Miles
In other words the general has himself
recommended and profited by the very
action which his friends now fear may b.
taken at his expense. If he should 60
out before Gen. Brooke is retired. Gen
Brooke. who is Gen. Miles senior both
in service and in age. and who did gal
liant and distinguished work as a volun-
teer in the Civil war. would undoubtedly
be put in his place lieutenant general,
as it is known that the administration
has been very DESTROYS of recognizing
Gen. BrooIles long and faithful service.
Gen. Brooke, during the Civil war, rem
dered equally meritOriouS service with
Gen. Miles; Gen. Brooke was the first to
obtain a commission. and throughout the
Civil war he retained his advantage. end
ing the war as Gen. Miles senior. After
peace came, Gen Miles was prompted
over Gen. Brookes head. As Gen. Brooke
will necessarily hold the position but
brief period before his retirement for age,
Gen. S. NJ. B. Young IS likely to succeed
Gen. Brooke and Gen. .Chaffee's promo
ton is to follow two years hence.
In administration circles in Washington
there has been some amusement over the
talk raised about the so-caled mission
to Rome. The facts are that Gov. Taft
has Impressed very strongly upon the
President and the secretary of war that
the question of getting rid Of the friars
was Of vital consequence to peace in the
Philippines ana that to accomplish this
it was necessary to deal directly with the
head Of the corporation involved-Rome.
After much consideration ii was de eide
that Gov. Taft should stop at Rome on
his way from the Philippines to consult
with the church authorities and see if it
would not be possible to come outright
to some agreement on behalf of the Phil
ippine government.
There would be nothing of any kind
or shape in the matter which would sus-
gcSt anything in the way of diplomatic
relations. 1t would be purely business
transaction. The United States govern
ment is neither favorable nor hostile to
any particular sect. 1t desires to treat
all alike with exact justice. 1t does not
wish to do injustice to the friarS by TAX
ing away their lands without compenSa-
ton. On the other hand it recognizes
that although the Christian Filipinos are
all practically Roman Catholics. they are
nevertheless a unit in demanding that the
friars leave the island.
GOV. Taft better than any other man
could explain this state of things at
Rome Ii is believed if an honorable and
satisfactory arrangement can be reached
the result would be most beneficial to the
islands, and that probably no other one
thing could do as much good.