Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-03-22
A SENSATION
General Miles Stirs up Washington
Over the Ilawley Bill.
THREAT 70 RESIGN.
lie Say, n the Bill Becomes Law Two
Men Would Have Power 10 Pro-
mote individuals Over Those
Who Are Deserving.

Washington. March 2l.-The threat
Of General Miles TO resign II the bill
introduced by Senator Hawley be
coRes law IS the sensation at the capi-
tai The portion OF the bill which he
objects TO Is as follows.
THAT from and after the passage OF
this act the senior general gfncer OF
the army shall be assigned 10 com
mand such portion OF the army as the
president may direct, or be detailed %
do duty in the general stan corps. All
duties prescribed by law for the com
mandant general Of the army shall be
performed by the chief OF the general
stan or other general officer desigaat-
ed 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 the chief Of the
general stan. and upon the separation
from active service OF said lieutenant
general OF the army. said Office. except
as herein provided. shall cease and de-
termine."
General Miles said that II this proyis-
ion should become a law Il would have
the effect OF destroying the unity OF
the army. and be read numerous au-
thoritles. including Napoleon, yelling
ton. Washington. Cass and Grant &c
show the necessity Of having one head
20 the army and Of controlling author
ity. His own experience and ohserva-
tion. he said. had the effect Of confirm.
Ing these views. and he gave an Illus
tration OF its beneficial effect in time
OF emergency. instanclng the begin
ming OF the war with Spain. Il heard
AZ midnight" he said. that the Span.
ish feet had been located definitely
AZ Santiago. and FASTENED 10 the
home OF Secretary Long. where the
news was confirmed Shafter was then
al Tampa. and ! sat down there. in
the secre,ary's house, and wrote a dis
patch directing him 10 start immedi-
ately for Santiago. with the result that
the army was soon on rs ways TO the
point where It's presence was needed.
Suppose" be added. exhibiting the
message which he had sent 70 General
shafter. Il had been compelled 10 get
around 10 a dozen or more majors. as
many colonies and any number OF gen
erals constituting a general stan.
Then be added that In all probability
the senior general OF the army would
not. under the provision he had quot
ed. have been IN position to do any
thing. and he called attention TO the
clause relieving him (the senior genar.
ali OF command. and making It possi-
bic for any other officer TO be appoint
ed. He declared that under section I
Il would be competent 20 one day pro.
mote a captain 70 the position OF a
brlgadler general and the next day
make him chief OF staff. practically
placing a captain at the head OF the
army Warming up somewhat. he as
serted that the bill was calculated toI
accomplish no purpose except to allow
the secretary OF war and the adtutant
general to promote the interests Of
their personal favorites.
In the course Of his remarks General
Miles told the committee in confidence
that with the bill a law he could now
name the men who would hold the
places OF honor provided under II. but
the committee did not ask for the
names.