The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-05-09
MEDALS DENIED THEM.

A special dispatch to the New York
President Roosevelt refused to permit
the French Government to confer tho
cross of the Legion of Honor on Admiral
George Dewey and Lieut. Gen Nelson A.
Miles
This refusal has created sensation in
diplomatic and army and navy circles.
Friends of the officers directly concerned
alledgc that the Presidents decision was
due to Il wish to further humiliate them,
this time to make the humiliation interna-
tional. Whatever may have been the rca-
sons controlling the decision of the Presi-
dent, it is certain that France will not, in
view of his attitude, award the cross to
either of the officers whom she intended
to honor.
the notification that the cross would be
conferred on Admiral Dewey and Lieut.
General Miles was conveyed to the White
House by NJ. Cambou, the French Ambas-
sador. France desired to commemorate
the ceremonies connected with the un
yelling Of the Rochambeau statue, to oc-
cur on May "a, and she believed it
would be graceful act of courtesy to Sc
lect prominent Americans for the honor
of membership in her Legion of Honor.
Nj. Cambon about two weeks ago called at
the White House and stated that his Gov
eminent in consideration of the great ser
vices rendered to the world by Admiral
Dewey and Lieut. General Miles, desired
to confer the cross of the society on them.
1t is stated that the President received
the announcement with surprise. So far
as Admiral Dewey was concerned, he is
reported to have said, there would be no
objection but could not be thought of in
the case of General Miles The President
finally suggested to the Ambassador that
he be given few days in which to consi-
der the matter.
The President discussed the proposal
with Secretary Root and Secretary Hay,
and, it is said, conferred with several Sen
ators in whose Judgment he has conf
dence. He came to the conclusion, it is
said, that it would be unwise to consent
to the decoration of the two officers, one
of whom he had reprimanded and one of
whom was upon terms of hostility with
his Administrations least, this is the
explanation of friend of Lieutenant
General Miles and Admiral Dewey. In
any event, when the Ambassador next
called at the White House, it is said, he
was informed that the decision had been
reached not to permit France to confer
the Cross of the Legion of Honor upon
either officer.
In announcing this decision, friends of
the two officers say that the Presiden has
exceeded his powers. The law on the
subject of decorations from foreign Gov
eminent reads:
Hereafter any present. decoration or
other thing which shall be conferred or
presented by any foreign government to
any officer of the United States, civil, ma
val or military, shall be rendered through
| the Department of State and not the indi-
vidual in person, but such present, deco
ration or other thing shall not be deliver.
ed by the Department OF State unless SO
authorized by Congress.
Thus it is stated that the President was
absolutely without legal authority to de-
ny to the French Government the privi-
lege of decorating Admiral Dewey and
Lieutenant General Miles.
Admiral Dewey is inspecting the North
Atlantic squadron on the Southern drill
grounds, and Lieutenant General Nelson
A. Miles refused to be seen in regard
to the case. Nevertheless it is stated by
an authority that neither officer will make
protest. Nor is it seen how this can be
done in view of the fact that the French
Government never directly rendered the
decoration to them.