The Monticellonian., 1902-04-04
Ltcut.-Gcn. Miles Proposition.

Headquarters Of the Army.
 WashiaSten, February L. l9a2.
 The He44rabic the Secretary Of War s..= have the honor le invite attention tc a =UH5ret that l h#se had nuder eon- sider5stia9 Tor several months. aa4 ta re- QfeSt that eAis Ialter be iaid before the . iz naw three years since tss opening Of laS1t5ities bsfNeen tAe United States furre.s .tHa those in the Philippine islands. and Ihis warfare has been conducted with iu.rl,ed severity More th1u 12h.606 nit ed states troops have been; at different tines sent or are now under orders to g. je the Philippines and mor' than 40- o0e sstli remain on dgt# there, which serS ice. with lhe assistance of the naval forces involves an enormous expenditure of public money as well the loss of many valuable lives.
 During the past century thousands of Indians have been called 10 the capital for consultation and council and have. under authority. sent to Washington many red-handed representatives of diff teEeuf tribes of Indians. the result of which has been reconciliation. restor- atior os confidence the prevention nf war and the esta ablishment and continuance of peace within the states and territories. = q 1ur friendly relations with the people of Cuba and Porto Rico have been largely promoted hy consultation with the repre- sentatiYes of those islands here in Wash inGtoa, both before hostilities occurred, during the Spanish war and since. and l 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, Rake the request that l be authorized to proceed to the Philippine islands, taking with me ten men whom 1 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 Fill piaos the benefits their people have de- rived through friendly relations with this country. and while there te give such di- reetion5 as l may deem advisable and ju- dicious for the hest disposition of the united States military forces. to the end that they may occupy the mest healthful and strategic positions, with due regard to economy. and be afforded the srpafest comfort and benefit. also 10 take such measures aa will tend to restore as far as possible, confidence t0 the people of those islands and demonstrate that the pafHosg ot our government is promoted by the highest sense of Justice. ard that on returning, be authorized to bring to lllc capital such number of representative fHiplroS as l may think advisable. in order that they may see and know the ad- NantASes of our civilization and realize the disposition of our government toward them. at the same time attording an op- portunity for d full consultation whereby intelligent and definite action may be taken concerning their future destiny. It is confidently believed that such measures gould then be taken as would be satis- factory to the ten million inhabitants of the Philippine islands a.IG highly credita- bic 10 our government.
 By this means we woCld be fully in CiAiASH VI tue toilhltIpiS ana wants or the people of those islands and they. on the other hand, would become fully ap- praised of the purpose and final disposi- ton of our government toward them This need not reflect in the slightest degree up on the services of the military nor inter- fcre with the civil governments that have been or may be established.
 should this request be approved, l am confident II would result in a better con- diion of our military forces in that di- vision in the cessation of hostilities with in reasonable time, thereby permitting the return of large number of our troops form those remote and unheaIthfIll stations, and, 1 should hope in an amicn- ble adjustment of affairs in those islands which would he satisfactory To the inhab- itants thereof as well as to the people of the United States.
 Very respectfully,
 tSlgned NELSON A. MILES
 Lieutenant-GcneraL
 Commanding l.. $ Army