The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-03-21
TO SENATE COMMITTEE REGARD.
ING PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
GENERAL CONDEMNS BILL
Would Resign His Commission If the
Measure Introduced BY Haw-
ley Became Law.

Washington, March 2O.-General
! Nelson A. Miles today told the senate
committee on military affairs that If
the bill introduced by Senator Haw-
ley at the instance of the war depart
ment, for the organization Of a gem
eral staff for the army should become
law, he would decline to longer hold
his commission: The reason he gave
for the statement is, that the bill is
utterly subversive of the interests Of
the military establishment, and he
, said that he would not be party to
such proceeding to the extent Of
even 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 it is
reported General Miles touched upon
variety of subjects connected with
the army. He directed especial crit
icism against section 5, reading as
follows: 'That from and after the
passage of this act senior general
officers of the army shall be assigned.
to command such portions of the army
as the president may direct or be de-
tailed to duty in the general staff
corps. All duties prescribed by law
for the commanding general of the
army shall be performed by the chief
of the general staff or other general
officer designated by the secretary of
war; provided, that so long as the
present lieutenant general of the army
continues on the active list, he shall
be chief of the general staff, and upon
retirement from active service of said
lieutenant general of the army said
office, except as herein provided shall
cease and terminate. General Miles
said that if this provision should be-
come law it would have the effect of
destroying the unity of the army
He declared that under section Z
it would be competent to one day pro-
mote captain to the position of brig
adler general and the next day to
make him chief of staff, thus practi- !
cally placing a captain at the head of
the army. Warming UP somewhat he
asserted that the bill was calculated |
to accomplish no purpose except to
allow the secretary of war and ad !
jntant general to promote the inter ,
ests of their personal favorites.
In the course of his remarks Cen
eral Miles told the committee in con-
fidence, that with the bill a law he
could now name the men who would
hold the places of honor provided un-
der it. but the committee did not ask
for the names.
Excitement at Department.
News of General Miles statements
today before the military committee
of the senate excited great interest
at the war department when it became
known there later in the day. There
was a very general inquiry as to
whether by passing criticisms upon
the various officials as reported in
the press, General Miles had not ex-
posed himself to disciplinary treat
ment.
Secretary Root exhibited little feel
ing when his attention was called to
the proceedings before the committee.
He remarked quietly that he was very
sorry Lieutenant General Miles oppos-
ed this bill
AS to the question whether General
Miles had said anything which would
require action at the hands of the
president the secretary
declined to express any opinion, for
the present at least.
Miles Misquoted.
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 publish
ed by the committee. himself making
the broad statement that the state
ments which were given to the press
as those made by himself before the
committee were Misrepresentation
and totally unwarranted.