Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-03-25
MILES REVISES
THE RECORDS

Washington, March 24--The state
ment of Gen Miles before the senate
committee on military affairs as 1t
will appear in the official records, at
ter revision by him. was made public
tonight. The features which caused
something of sensation when pub
llshed the day the statement was
made, do not appear The following
colloquy ut the close Of the hearing ex-
plains the revision:
mir. Pettus-Mr Chairman, I think
there ought to be some mode OF hay
ing these notes revised.
"The Chalrnan-'fhat will be done,
"Mr. pettus--The report OF the pro-
ceedlngs should be submitted to Gen,
Miles with permission TO strike out
such portions as ought not to be pub
lished.
MIR. Proctor-That Is right.
Gen. Miles, don't know that there
Is anything to be stricken out.
"The Chalrman-We have been In the
habit of submitting to the witness be-
fore the committee, whoever he was,
the stenographer's report of his re-
marks for correction OF course
MIR. Pettus-I wanted to go further
than that. The stenographer has no
doubt taken down correctly what the
general has said, but there are some
things that he said which he may de-
sire TO strike out and think he should
be allowed that privilege.
"The Chairman-He must be the
judge OF that
MIR. Pettus-He should be allowed
the liberty Of striking out anything
which ought not TO be published, even
If II Is stated correctly In this re-
port"
The stenographers report was sub
mltted 20 Gen. Miles and the official
report indicates that he followed close
ly the written statement he had pre-
pared and read TO the committee The
main facts Of the generals opposition
to the war departments stan were
given at the time Some OF the fea.
lures Of the statement not reported at
the time are of interest, howver.
Concerning the Inspector generals de.
partment he said
"In the bill under consideration II Is
HihHUNfN w dbVllNil FilliltlN llt NVIDN
Of inspectors who have been most in
strumental in keeping the army up to
Its high character and efficiency and In
discovering defalcations, ineflclency
and maladministration and on the 9TH
or hand IN encouraging and reporting
meritorlous conduct, efficiency and abil-
ity in all the different commands and
In the departments Of service"
L. 49,. Al IL.
the pay, quartermaster's and commits
sary departments he said:
THE three departments mentioned
have rendered most efficient service In
the great war, the wars Of the frontier
the Spanish American war and the war
In the Philippines and China The
maladmlnistratlon In the commlssary
department that ocacsioned so much
suffering In 1898 was not the fault Of
the system, but Of those responsible for
its administration, and since Il was eX-
posed and coerced | am not aware that
a single case has been reported where
a soldier has not received his daily
food and his pay when due from the
commlssary and pay departments re-
spectively. and these have been
promptly transported to him through
the efficient management Of the quar-
termasteTs department
1T is Capitalization OF the most pro-
nounced type, augments the power Of
the staff. and In effect removes II fur
Their from touch with the fighting force
Of the army. The scheme Is revou-
tionary: casts to the winds the lessons
OF experience and abandons methods
which successfully carried ua through
the most memorable war epochs OF our
history. The proposed plan Is but m
effort 10 adopt and foster in n republic
can form OF government system
peculiarly adapted 10 monarchies hav-
Ing immense standing armies II would
seem TO Germanlze and Russianlze the
small army Of the United States"
Gen. Miles said that before the Snan-
ish war began he called on President
Mckinley, and that when the presi-
dent said he SUPPOSED the army was
ready he Gen. Miles, said:
THE army, as FAR as the personnel Il
concerned, is ready for any service. but
there IL much 10 be done In the way OF
euuinment and the defense Of the coast
which ought 10 be suDplied al the other
end OF the Capitol. The president he
added. consulted members Of Congress
and the s5O.OOOOO0 defense fund was
voted"
In addition 20 that portion OF the
statement heretofore published, show
ing how the president could bv pro-
motions make q captain chief NJ stan
with the grade OF Northumberland,
Gen. Miles said
1T seems To authorize throwing the
door wise open FOR future autoorat
or a military despot. II Is not. In my
Judgment, IN accordance with the prin-