Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-03-27
The NEW ARMY BILL
Gen. Miles Appears Before Senate
Military Affairs Committee.
BILL DENOUNCED BY The GENERAL.
Cen Miles Said u the Army Reorgsn'za-
tion bill Becomes Law He Would De-
cline Any Longer to Hold His
Commission.

Washington, March 21.-Gen. Nell
son A. Miles yesterday told the SEN
ate committee on military affairs
that IL the bill introduced by Sena-
tor lGawley at the instance OF the
war department for the organiza-
ton of general staff Of the army
should become a law he would de-
cline to longer hold his commission.
The reason he gave is that the bill
is utterly subversive Of the interests
Of the military establishment, and
he said that he would not be party
to such a proceeding to the extent
even Of continuing to hold his place.
The portion of the bill to which he d.
rected his especial criticism Is that
contained in section 7, which says
that "the senior general officer Of
the army shall be assigned to COM
mand such portion Of the army a. the
president may direct, or be detailed
to duty in the general staff corps.
All duties prescribed by law for the
commanding general Of the army
shall be performed by the chief OF
general staff or other general officer
designated by the secretary Of war"
Gen. Miles said that II this provi-
sion should become law it would
have the effect Of destroying tho
unity Of the army and he read numer-
GUS authorities, including Napoleon,
Wellington, Washington and Grant, to
show the necessity of having one
head of the army and Of one control
ling authority.
Gen. Miles gave an illustration Of
Its beneficial effect in time of emer-
gency, instancing the beginning of
the war with Spain. He said: II
heard at midnight that the Spanish
feet had been located definitely at
Santiago, and FASTENED to the home
Of Secretary Long, where the news
was confirmed Shafter was then at
Tampa, and | sat down there, in the
secretary's house and wrote a dis
patch directing him to start immedi-
ltely for Santiago with the result
that the army was soon on its way
to the point where its presence was
nccded."
Then he added that in all probable
ty the senior general Of the army
would not under the provision he
mad quoted have been in position to
10 anything, and he called attention
70 the clause relieving him--the
senior general-of command and
making it possible for any other Off
Ter to be appointed.
In the course of his remarks Gen.
Miles told the committee in conf
lence that with the bill a law he
could now name the men who would
aold the places of honor provided un-
Ter it, but the committee did not
ask for the names.
The printed report of the testi-
nony of Secretary Root before the
military committee on this bill was
made public yesterday. In his state
nent the secretary said that the gen
.ral staff of the army as 1t Is pro-
posed to organize it under this bill,
would be simply an advisory board,
md that its principal duty would be
that Of an advisory board. ut pro-
ooses," he said, ito create by detail
IRON the officers of the army, a body
If officers who shall be charged, in
The first place, with the duty of do
ng the military thinking, of doing
what the navy has board engaged
n now, and what we ought to have
IN the army and have not to-day.
The primary idea is not to give or
iers. 1t Is to study and prepare
plans for the men who give the or
lers."
Asked as to the place the com
nander-in-chief would occupy with
reference to this board, the secre-
sary replied that he would accept
plans made by the board or not as
,e might please.