The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-04-05
His Losing Battle
With Secretary
Root.
CORRESPONDENCE
OVER PHILIPPINES
The Secretary of War Scores in
the Bout With the Lieu
tenant General.

lAl ASHINGTON, March 2s.-The
VII President today sent to the
House of Representatives the
correspondence and papers bearing on
the request of Gen. Miles to be assigned
to duty in the Philippines. Following is
Gen. Miles letter to the Secretary OF
War:
HEADQUARTERS of the Army, Wash
ington March IL, 1902.-The Honorable
the Secretary of War: Sir: have the
honor to invite attention to a subject
that l have had under consideration for
several months and to request that this
letter be laid before the President. 1t
is now three years since the opening OF
hostiiities between the forces OF the
United States and those of the Philip
pine Islands, and this warfare 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 Philip
pines, and more than 10000 still remain
on duty there, which service. with the
assistance of the naval forces, involves
an enormous expenditure of public
money, as well of the loss of many
valuable lives
OF Indians have been called to the
Capitol for consultation and council,
and I have. under authority, sent to
Washington many red-handed repre-
sentatives of different tribes OF Indians.
the result of which has been reconcfl-
iation, restora ton of confidence, the
prevention of war, and the establish
ment and continuance of peace within
the States and Territories.
.'0ur friendly relations with the peo-
pie of Cuba and Porto Rico have been
largely promoted by consultation with
the representatives of those Islands
here in Washington, both before hos
tilities occurred, during the Spanish
war and since; and I never found any
people, whether savage, semi-civflized
or civilized, who were not benefited by
candid, frank and honest consultation
and council.
I'm view of the above considerations.
I make the request that 1 be authorized
to proceed to the Philippine Islands.
taking with me ten men whom i may
select from Cuba and Porto Rico, whose
assistance has been found useful in
promoting friendly relations between
the people of those islands and the
United States, and who could properly
explain to the Filipinos the benefits
their people have derived through
relations with this country,
and while there to give such directions
as I may deem advisable and judicious
for the best disposition of the United
States military forces. to the end that
they may occupy the most heaIthful
and strategic positions, with due regard
to economy and be afforded the great
est comfort and benefit; also to take
such measures as will tend to restore
as far as possible confidence to the peo-
pie of those Islands, and demonstrate
that the purpose of our Government is
by the highest sense of JUS
lice; and that on returning 1 be author
zed to bring to the capital such num-
Der of representative Filipinos as / may
hink advisable, in order that they may
see and know the advantages OF our
utilization and realize the disposition
II our Government toward them, at the
same time affording an opportunity for
full consultation, whereby intelligent
md definite action may be taken con-
.erning their future destiny. 1t Is con-
identity believed that such measures
'ould then be taken as would be satis-
actory TO the ten millions of inhabi-
ants of the Islands and highly credit
bile to our Government.
BY this means we would be fully in
ormed of the condition and wants of
he people of those Islands. and they,
n the other hand. would become fully
pprised of the purposes and final dis
osition of our Government toward
hem. This need not reflect in the
Iightest degree upon the services of
he military. nor interfere with the
ivil governments that have been es-
z ablished.
should this request be approved,
m confident ii would result in bet
r condition of our military forces in