The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-29
Regarding the Philippines is
Laid Before the House.
WAS SEVERE In TONE.
Reply to the Generals PROPOSE
tiOn Intimated
That He Was DESTROYS of Max
ing a Spectacle of Himself.
Correctness of His Statements
Were Called in Question.

washington. March 2s.-The president
today sent to the house of representa-
tives the correspondence and papers
bearing on the request of Lieut.. Gen
Miles to be assigned to duty in the
Philippines The papers were sent to
the house in response TO a resolution
introduced by Mr.. Burleson of Texas
and passed by that body. They are as
follows:
To the House of Representatives: In
response to the following resolution or
the house of representatives of March
26, 1902:
Resolved. That the president of the
United States be, and he is hereby re-
spectfully requested, if not incompat-
1ble with the public interests. to trans
init to the house copies of all corre-
spondence relating to and papers bear
ing on the matter of the reported re-
quest of Lieut. Gen. Nelson A. Miles,
u S. A, to be assigned to duty in the
philippine archipelago and to be al
lowed to put into effect there a plan
outlined by him to bring about a ces-
satiOn of hoStilitieS." 1 transmit here
with copies of all papers upon which
final action in the matter was taken.
Since such final action and since the
Introduction of said resolution a fur
ther memorandum has been added to
the papers by Lieut. Gen. Miles, and
transmit also a copy thereof together
with the action thereon
THEO. ROOSEVELT.
White House. March % 1902.
MILES LETTER.
Headquarters of the Army, Washing
ton, Feb. II, 1902.
The Honorable the Secretary of War.
Sir: ! have the honor to invite at
tention to a subject that have had un-
der consideration for several months
and to request that this letter be laid
before the president.
1t is now three year. RiIleer the open
of hzafr nit
States forces and those in the Philip
pine isi-.z3E AID is We rfare has been
conducted with marked severity. More
than 10000 United States troops have
been at different times sent or are now
under orders to go to the Philippines
and more than 10000 still remain on
duty there which service. with the as
sistance OF the naval forces, involves al
enormous expenditure of public money
as we'll as the loss of many valuable
lives.
During the past century thousands of
Indians have been called to the capital
for consultation and council. and 1
have, under authority, sent to Wash
ington. many red-handed representa-
tives of different tribes of Indians the
result of which has been a reconcili4-
tien. restoration of confidence, the
prevention of war and the establish
lnent and continuance of peace within
the states and territories.
Our friendly relations with the people
of Cuba and Porto Rico have been
greatly promoted by consultation with
the representatives of those islands
here in Washington both before hostili-
ties occurred. during the Spanish war
and since. and 1 have never found any
people whether savage, semi-civilized
or civilized. who were not benefited by
candid, frank and honest consultation
and council
In view of the above considerations,
] make the request that 1 be authorized
TO proceed to the Philippine islands,
taking with me ten men whom | NAV
select from Cuba and Porto Rico whose
assistance has been found useful in pro-
inoting friendly relations between the
people OF those islands and the United
States and who could properly explain
TO the hilipinoS the benefits their people
have derived through friendly relations
Win TINS country, and while there to
give such directions as / NAV deem adj
Nisable and judicious for the best dis
position of the United States military
forces, TO the end that they may occupy
the most healthful and strategic posi-
tions, with due regard to economy and
be AFFORDED the greatest comfort and
benefit; also to take such measures as
VIII tend to restore, as far as possible
confidence to the people of those islands
and demonstrate that the purpose of
our government is prompted by the
highest sense of justice; and that on re-
turning be authorized to bring to the
capital such number of representative
t1npinos as / may think advisa BILE in
order that they may see and know the
advantages of our civilization and re-
alize the disposition of our government
toward them. at the same time afford
ing an opportunity for full consuIta-
tion, whereby intelligent and definite
action may be taken concerning their
future destiny. 1t is confidently he
lieVed that such measures could then
De taken as would be satisfactory and
beneficial to the ten million inhabitants
OF the Philippine islands and highly
cfeditable to our government.
BY this means we would be fully in
FORMED OF the condition and wants of
the people of those islands, and they. on
the other hand, would become fully
appfised OF the purpose and final dis
position Of our government toward
them
This need not reflect in the slightest
oeSree upon the services of the military
OF interfere with the civil governments
mat mat nave or may be established. Should
tLis request he approved. am confident
~ would result in a better condition of
ouf @ military forces in that division. in
tne cessation of hostilities within a res
sonable time thereby permitting the re-
turn OF large number of our troops
from those remote and unhealthfuI sta
1ons. and should hope, in an amica BILE
adjustment of affairs in those islands.
Wnlch would be satisfactory to the in
haoitants thereof. as well as to the peo-
PIE of the United States
Very respectfully,
NELSON A. MILES.
Lieutenant General, Commanding u. g
Army.
THE REPLY.
WAR Departn ent. Washington, March 5.