Evening star., 1902-03-21

which may have been misunderstood by
the official Stenographer.
He said he understood that printed copy
of the committee hearing would be sent to
him tomorrow 'for revision When that
is done, he added, he would then decide
whether he had anything to say on the
subject for publication. 1t was his unuer-
standing that the report of the hearing
will be made public by the committee. If
that is done he thought 1t would be only
fair to him for the newspapers to puollsh
his statement in full, and not give 1t IN
brief and distorted manner
The incident continued to be the SUBJECT
of general comment at the War Depart
ment and official circles generally today,
but none of the leading figures in the con-
troversy would consent to be interviewed
on the subject. They were even more reti-
cent today than they were last evening,
when the sensation was fresh in the pubilc
mind. Last night General Miles SAID that
he did not expect, when he gave his testi-
mOny, that it would be made public In any
FORM bat was perfectly willing that it
should be published by the committee.
He said that the statements regarding IT
published in the newspapers We're unauthor-
lied and exaggerated. He made no secret,
however, of the fact that he had Vigor-
ously opposed the passage of the so-called
general staff bill prepared by officers OF the
a6jutant generals department.
Il have too much respect for the 1llustri-
Gus men who have preceded me-, said Cen
eral Miles, '.and for the office which L
have the honor TO occupy to be party to
a measure that. in my judgment, must do
serious injury to the army and endanger
the welfare of the republic.
Secretary Roots Statement.
Secretary Root exhibited little feeling
when his attention was called to the al
legged statements before the Senate COM
mittee. Il am sorry said he that Gen
eral Miles is opposed to the bill it means
much to the efficiency of the army. Under
section of the bill, of which General Miles
is said to have complained the lieutenant
general will hold the office of chief oi staff
and have largely increased powers in army
mana cement.
AS to the question whether General Miles
had said anything which would require ac-
tion at the hands of the department or the
President, the Secretary firmly declined to
express any opinion, for the present, at
least, preferring to await official copy
of the committee hearing before reaching
any decision.
There was a very general inquiry as to
whether by passing the criticisms upon
various officials, as reported in the press,
Gen. Miles had not exposed himself to dis
ciplinary treatment The answer to this
must be based the exact amount of
privilege which attaches to testimony given
before a committee of Congress.
This question arose last week in the
course of Gen. Hughes testimony before
the Senate Philippine committee. when the
general sought to escape answering QueS-
tions which would involve criticism by him
of his superior officer, Gen. Otis. 1t ap-
peared that there was variance OF oplnloa
in the committee itself as to how far Gen.
Hughes was at liberty to violate army
rules and proprieties, even in answer to
committee questions. and the question itself
was left unsettled.
There We're various reports as to the con-
sequences Of General Miles alleged refec-
t:ons upon the Secretary of War and the
adjutant general Some officials seem to
think that the President would exercise his
pferogative and place General Miles on the
retired list under the statute authorizing
such action In the case Of an officer who
had reached the age of sixty-two years.
Better Informed officials stated positively
this afternoon. however, that no such
course of action had been determined upon
by the President up to this time at least
and that nothing of that kind was likely,
unless required by future developments.
View at the Capitol.
Persons who were present at the hearing
before the Senate committee on military
affairs yesterday afternoon, when Gen.
Miles testified concerning the War De-
partment's bill for the reorganization of
the army, express regret at what they de-
clare was an unfortunate sensational col
oring given to the statements Of the COM
manding general of the army. The hear
ing was conducted with closed doors. and
Gen. Miles was discussing the bill in
confidential way with the committee. When
ne was questioned concerning that feature
of The bill which makes the commanding
general chief of staff, he was asked how
that would affect him. He was silent
moment, and then. addressing the COM
mittee, declared that as the committee
asked him questions he had to reply to
them.
But he added. this must not be taken
down as "a part of the testimony. ! can
only reply to this question in confidence to
the committee"
He then proceeded to say that in his
judgment the bill would in its operation, if
it should become a law, be SO detrimental
to the army and SO harmful to the best in
tereStS of the republic that he would retire
from the service upon its enactment into
law. AS he has reached the age Of sixty
two years. it is declared that he would
have a perfect right to retire. 1t is said
that the statement that he said he would
resign from the army was not made by
him, and that such statement must have
gained publicity through misrepresentation.
1t is also stated by persons present at the
hearing that the demeanOr of General Miles
calm and dispassiOnate, and that at no
time did he show evidence of any excite
ment.
1t is declared that Gen. Miles did say
he could name five officers who would be
preferred by the War Department for posi-
tions Of honor and responsibility under the
bill should ii become a law, but that state
ment was also made by him with the un-
and was not to be taken down by the ste
nographer, and made only because he was
questioned in way to bring 1t out.
Gen Miles when he went before the COM
mittee had a typewriter statement con-
corning the bill. which he read and which
those who heard him declared would prove
an historical document of unusual value.
AS he read this manuscript he was oc-
casionally questioned by members of the
committee. He undertook to show, quoting
the law frequently, that bureaus of the
War Department had without legal author
ity gradually usurped powers which had
been vested in the commanding general Of
the army. He quoted the language of great
military leaders. such a Napoleon, Wei
lington Washington and Grant, to the ef-
feet that there should be a responsible
head of the army who could at all times
act promptly and without being hampered
according to the exigences that might
arise His paper was very fully reinforced
with quotations from these authorities.
1t is declared by those who heard the
testimony of Gen. Miles yesterday that he
cannot be reprimanded or in any way
caused trouble because of his language.
They say his general statement was digni-
fled and couched in such language that
would relieve him from any criticism. The
statements which have caused criticism,
they say, far as they have been accu-
rately published were made in a way to