Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-03-21
PUNISH CEN. M|LES2
Inquiry as to Whether Roose-
Welt and Root Have Grounds
For Action.
CRITICISED ROOT AND CORBlN,
Without Mentioning Names, Before
Senate commttee-Said He Could
Name Men Now Wko Would Get
Positions. If HawIey Bill Passed.

Name Men Now Wko Would Get
Positions, If HawIey Bill Passed.
Washington March 21.-The news
of General Miles statement yester-
day before the military committee Of
the senate excited great interest at
the war depaI tment when it became
known there late in the day. There
was very general inquiry as 10
whether, by passing the criticisms
upon various officials, as reported in
the press, General Miles had not ex-
posed himself to disciplinary treat
ment. The answer to this must be
based on the exact amount of priVi-
lege which attaches to testimony
given before committee of congress-.
This question arose last week in the
course of General Hughes testimony
before the senate Philippine commits
sion. when the general sought to es
cape answering questions which
would involve criticism by him of his
superior officer, General Otis. 1t ap-
peared that there was variance OF
opinion In the committee itself as TO
| how far General Hughes was at lib
/ erty to violate army rules and pro-
prieties, even in answer to commit
/ tee questions, and the question Itself
was left unsettled.
/ While General Miles did not expect
when he gave his testimony that It
would be made public in any form,
! he is now willing that it shall be pub
/ lished by the committee, making him
self the broad statement that the
| statements which were given to the
i press as those made by himself BE-
! fore the committee were misrepre-
sensations, totally unwarranted and
unauthorized
According to reliable information.
received by the Associated Press,
General Nelson A. Miles yesterday
told the senate committee on military
affairs that If the bill introduced by
Senator Hawley at the instance Of
the war department for the organiza-
ton of general staff for the army
should become law he would decline
to longer hold his commission. The
reason he gave for the statement is
! IHdJ b4S Dill ID uttSiiJ GoRfN tDi'N -
the interests of the military esta3-
lishment, and he said he would not
be party to such a proceeding TO
the extent even of continuing to hold
his place.
The statement was made in the
course of a prolonged hearing by the
committee, which was conducted be
hind closed doors and in which Gen.
eral Miles touched upon a variety OF
subjects connected with the army
The portion of the bill to which he
, directed his especial criticism is that
contained in section Z, reading as
follows; THAT from and after the
passage of this act the senior genera
officer of the army shall be assigned
to command such portion OF the army
, as the president may direct, or be
detailed to auty in the general staff
corps All duties prescribed by Law
for the commanding general of the
army shall be performed by the chiel
of general staff or other general Of
fieer, designated by the secretary Of
war--provided that as long as the
present lieutenant general of the
army keeps on the active list he shall
be the chief of the general staff, an
upon the separation from active ser
vice of the said lieutenant general o.
$ the army, said Office, except as herein
provided, shall cease and determine.
: Would Destroy Unity of Army.
8 General Miles said that if this pro
! n Id II Z
e have the effect of destroying tn
| unity of the army, and he read numer
Gus authorities, including Napoleon
Wellington, Washington, Cass an
Grant to show the necessity of hav
ing one head to the army and of con
trolling authority. His own expert
Il ence and observation had, he said
Z had the effect of confirming thes
1 views, and he gave an illustration 0
t its beneficial effect in time Of eme'
Y gency, instancing the beginning .
The war with Spain. Il heard at mid
night he said, that the Spanis
beet had been located definitely a
! Santiago, and | fastened to the HON
!. IF Secretary Long, where the new
was confirmed Shaf'ter was therf d
:. Tampa and | sat down there, in tn
> secretary's house. and wrote di:
} patch directing him to start immed
ately for Santiago, with the resu
that the army was soon on its wa
to the point where its presence wa
needed. Suppose" he added, exhil
it,ne tire mess age which he had ser
to General Sh; fter, Il had been cen
e yelled - get around to dozen {
more majors as many colonies an
any number of generals constitutin
G. ~ercrel steff"