The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-04-05
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE. 4,


INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE 4
Gen. Miles is 81 pers ma non grata'' to
the Roosevelt administration, and out of
self-respect it is time for him to retire
from the head of the army. In the cor
respondence that took place between
him and Secretary Root on the Philip,
pine war, the New York lawyer went
out of his way to insult him. and the
President endorsed what Root said in
reply to the suggestions of the lieuten-
ant general.
Briefly stated. Miles said to Root that
the war in the Philippines which has
now lasted three years had been con-
Quoted with marked severity; that it
had cost many valuable lives and an
enormous amount of public money; AMI
that it was about time to bring 1t to
an end. In order to do so eNpeditiously
he suggested that he be permitted to
go to the Philippines with delegation
of Cubans and Porto Ricans to per-
suade the Filipinos to cease fighting
and submit to American authority. He
told Root how the scheme had worked
with the Indians, and thought it an
excellent idea to bring back to Wash
ington number of representative
Filipinos to see for themselves the adj
vantages of American civilization and
learn what the government intended to
do concerning their future destiny.
One would suppose that such a
scheme as that suggested by Gen.
Miles merited courteous reply, to say
the least of it. But Miles is an Ameri-
can of the old-fashioned kind who has
never developed into an imperialist.
When he went to Porto Rico at the
head of the army be told the islanders
that they would become American citi-
zens under the Stars and Stripes. He
did not think for moment that the
war with Spain was one of conquest,
anu liz ISNSl Nhatt liz VI
Ricans would be made colonists in
stead of citizens of the republic. He
has since discovered his mistake. His
promise to the inhabitants of the little
island was repudiated at Washington,
and now they are governed as the
American colonies We're governed I'M
der George III. of England before the
Revolution.
The Secretary of War wanted no in.
structions nor suggestions from such
a man as Gen. Miles. In reply, he told
him everything was lovely in the Phil
ippines, and the plan proposed by him
was rejected as unworthy of consid-
Grafton. He told him it was not a fact
that the war in the Philippines hal
been conducted with marked severity.
"On the contrary. the warfare had been
conducted with marked humanity and
magnanmity on the part of the United
Stntcs." and the idea of bringing Fill
pinos to this country was prcposterous.
Many of them had already been ap-
pointed to positions in the civil govern
ment under American sovereignty, and
land it would be very difficult to keep
such Il proceeding from spectacular
and sensational features which would
| be injurious"
Gen. Miles wrote again in Sclf-justi
| ticatiOn and told Root he was actuatetl
by feelings Of humanity. He referred
to the letter from Gov. Taft about
marked severity" to Filipino captives
and disclaimed any intention of bring.
ing any of the natives to this country
for spectacular and sensational" pur'
poses. Root responded in disrespect
full tone. and said that the charges re-
ferred to in the letter of Gov. Taft
were being investigated.
ut is to he regretted" said Root
chat the officer VI highest rank in the
army should assume the truth OF
charges rejecting upon the credit Of
the army in advance of the investiga
ton and without giving General Chat
fee upon whose command the charges
reflect, an opportunity to be heard
Such charges ought not to be published
against our countrymen whom we have
sent to labor and fight under our flae
on the other side Of the world before
they can be heard in their own de
fensc."
Well, the charges had been published
before Miles wrote to Root. They have
since been published, and they reflect
no credit upon 'our countrymen.'
Major Weller, of the Marine Corps, &c
cused of barbarously killing natives OF
! the Island of Samar without trial, tes