The Washington times., 1902-03-19
Would End InSurrection
by Employing Peace
full Measures.
OPPOSED BY ADMINISTRATION
Will Appear Before Senate Committee
on Military Affairs to Give His Views
on Secretary Roots Bill fo- Establish
ment Of General Staff.

At the War Department, and in army
circles generally. the action Of Lieut.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles in requesting assign
ment TO the PHILIPPINES, and his PROPOSE
tion to attempt to end the insurrection
there by The employment of peaceful
measures, and the Presidents disapproval
of the offer, has aroused widespread in
terest.
officials at the War Department are ex-
tremely reticent in speaking ofthe matter
and ignorance is expressed as to how the
details of the case ever became public. 1t
has nov been over a month since General
Miles called at the White House with his
proposition, but the first hint of the mat
ter was only published this week, 1t is
understood that the President personally
requested that it be kept quiet.
Incident Tacitly Admitted.
Neither the President, the Secretary of
War, nor General Miles is yet willing to
talk about the incident. Yet the truth of
the story is not denied, but is tacitly ad-
mtted by other officials who have been
cognizant of the matter s.uce its begin
ming.
In official quarters it is also limited
even by the friends of General Miles-that
the Presidents refusal to adopt the sug-
gestion was conveyed in his usual and
characteristic vigorous language. with a
few comments. the nature of which can
not be learned. The exact nature of the
interview between the Lieutenant Cen
eral Commanding the Army and the Pres
ident is known only to two or three per-
sons, meme of whom is willing TO talk
relative to the matter.
General Miles Proposition.
General Miles, it is said. proposed in
connection with his taking command in
the Philippines that he take about six
representative Cubans and six represen-
tativc Porto Ricans with him to the seat
of the insurrection in the Philippines.
His idea was to have these men mingle
freely with the Filipinos and explain to
them the wisdom and benefcence of the
Government of the United States.
He also proposed to send to this coun-
try ten or twelve native Filipinos of in
fiuence for the purpose of having them
learn the methods of government in the
United States and become more fully cog
infant of the intentions of the Admins
tration regarding the Philippine Islands.
'- Secretary Roots General staff Bill.
Secretary Root is extremely desirous of
early and favorable action by Congress on
his bill to increase the efficiency of the
army, which provides for the consolida-
rtion OF staff department bureaus and the
establishment of general staff to act
as an advisory body to the civilian Sec
retary of War. One of the most signifi-
cant features of the bill is the provision
looking TO the abolition of the Inspector
Generals Department.
There is no doubt but that General Miles
and his friends will antagonize the en-
tire bill because of this section. Senator
Hawley, chairman of the Senate Commit
tee on Military Affairs. has also come out
in opposition to the War Department bill
and has declared that he would rather
have one day of Grant than all time of
the general staff
General Miles to Be Heard.
Tomorrow General Miles is scheduled to
appear before the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs, and give his views of the
Secretary's bill. 1t is the belief that he
will strongly argue against it's passage
end thus again put himself in opposition
to the Administration.
The strange side to this whole affair
according to officials who are watching
with deep interest each development is
that the President now has the power of
placing General Miles the retired list
without giving any reason for such action.
Can Be Retired by President
Under the Army Regulations. when an
officer reaches the age of sixty-two years
he may be retired at the discretion of the
President at any time before he attains
the age OF sixty-four, when. in any event,
he is retired by provision of law. Once
or twice since last August when General
Miles reached the age of sixty-two his re-
tiremeDt has been considered, but has
never been accomplished. He will not
retire, under age unless otherwise order
ed by the President. until August, 1909.