The Lamar register., 1902-03-26
TILES AGAINST BILL
GENERAL OF THE ARMY PRO-
TESTS AGAINST SENATE
MEASURE.
Explains Delay in Spanish War and
Exonerntes Alger from
Blame for It.

Washington, March 2O-Gencrnl Mel
son A. Miles to-day told the Senate
committee on military affairs TINT IL
the bill introduced by Senator Hnwley
at the instance of the War Department,
for the organization of n general staff
of the army, should become n law, lie
would decline TO longer hold his COM
mission. The reason he gave for the
statement is that the bill Is utterly sub
vcrsive of the interests of the military
establishment, and he would not be Il
party to such proceeding 10 the ex-
tent of even continuing to hold his
place.
The statement was made in the
course of prolonged hearing of the
committee. which WAS conducted be-
hind closed doors. The portion of the
bill to which he directed his especial
criticism Is that contained in section
seven, reading as follows:
"rhat from and after thc passage OF
this act the senior general officer of the
army shall be assigned to command
such portion of the army as the I'resl-
dent may direct, or be detailed 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 designed by the
secretary of war, prov that so long
as the present lieutenant general OF
the army continues on the active list
| he shall be the chief of the general
| staff, and upon the separation from
active service Of the said lieutenant
general of The army, said office. except
ns herein provided. shall cease and de-
termine."
-, Il
vision should become n law it would
have the effect of destroying the unity
of the army and he read numerous au-
thoritics. including Napoleon, Welling-
| ton, Washington. cass and Grant, to
show the necessity of having one hend
| TO the army and Of controlling nuthorI-
| ty. His own experience and observa-
| ton had, he said, had the effect of con-
| tirming these views. and he gave an IL
| lustratiOn of It's beneficial effect In time
| of emergency, instancing the beginning
| of the war with spain.
General Miles was questioned as to
| the reasons of locating the American
army of occupation nt Tampa. and
| holding II so long with the resulting
congestion. Replying to the first ques-
| tion, he said II was because OF the or
der to occupy Havana. The delay was
| due to the fact that the American army
WAS supplied with only sixty-fOur
rounds If ammunition. which would
not have been sufficient for more than
| half an hour of fighting. Considering
| that llnvaDa was one of the best Tor
| titled cities in the world. he said that
| to have attacked it would have been
| foOlhardy in the extreme. He dctlin-
| ed. however. to criticisc the then sccrc-
| .ury of war General Algcr, for the
condition of affairs, saying that prob
| ably anyone else in the position would
have done about what lie did. He laid
the blame for this condition of unpre-
| paredncss at the doors Of Congress.
In The course of his remarks General
| Miles told the committee that with the
| bill n law he could now name the men
who would hold the places of honor
provided under it, but the committee
did not ask for the names.
The printed report of the testimony
of Secretary Root before the military
committee on this bill was made public
today. In his statement the secretary
said that the general stan of the army,
as II Is proposed to organize II under
this bill, would be simply an advisory
board, and its principal duty would
be that Of an advisory board.
Asked ms To the place the commander
in-chief would occupy with reference to
this board. the secretary replied that
he would accept plans made by the
board or not, as he might please.