The age-herald., 1902-03-30
Roosevelt Submits the Miles Correspondence With
 Endorsement
SECRETARY ROOT MAKES
 SOME CAUSTIC COMMENTS
Says MIles' Letter Was a Reflection On the Army Officers In the PhIl- Ippines and Was Written With
 a Desire for Publicity.

Washington, March 29-In response to a resolution adopted by the House of Rep resentatives. the President today for warded to that body the full text of the correspondence between Lieutenant Gen. eral Nelson A. Miles. commanding the army and Secretary Root concerning a plan outlined by the former to bring about a cessation of hostiities in the Philippines. A resume of the correspond ence, together with the endorsement upon 1t of President Roosevelt, Is as follows:
 Under date of February l, 1902, General Miles transmitted to the Secretary of War a memorandum outlining hls plan to secure a cessation of hostilities in the Philippines, with a request that 1t be forwarded to the President.
 After directing attention to the stua- ton in the Philippines and to the enor- nous expenditure of money and lives in the islands. he says that during the past century Indian wars have been averted | by consultation with chiefs of the various tribes. Our friendly relations with the people of Cuba and Porto Rico also had been promoted by the same means.
 Wanted to Go to Philippines.
 He requested, therefore, that he be au- thorized to proceed to the Philippine isl- ands with a delegation of Cubans and | Porto Ricans, and while there direct the disposition of the United States forces to the end that they may occupy the most healthfpl and strategic positions. and also to take such measures will tend to restore confidence in the Filipinos and d. ta 4n Il- . ment is prompted by the highest sense , , of justice.
 On his return to the United States he desires to bring such representative Fill pinos as he may think advisable in order that they may realize the advantages this government offers them and at the same time afford opportunity to consult with the officials of this government. He Is confident that such measures would be beneficial to the Filipinos and highly creditable to this government.
 In conclusion he says:
 "Should this request be approved am confident it would result in better con- dition of our military forces in that di- vision, the cessation of hostilities within a reasonable time thereby permitting the | return of a large number of troops from those remote and unhealthful stations, | and I should hope in an amicable adjust | ment of affairs in those islands which | WCuld De SaIlSldclOTy lO iit | thereof as well as to the people or the United States.
 Tn his comment on General Miles let ter, Secretary Root says the conduct or affairs in the Philippines has been able and successful. More rapid progress has been made toward the acceptance or 1 American sovereignty. the restoration or peace and the establishment of civil gov | ernment than was to have been expected. | The adoption of General Miles plan, ne | thinks would be an unfortunate inter- ference with the present satisfactory pro- | gress.
 | had been held with prominent members of the insurrectionary government ana many prominent Flipinos are now occu- nving positions under the civil government of the islands. Concerning the proposais to bring official delegates from the Phllip- pines to the United States, the secretary | says: "It would be very difficult to keep such a proceeding free from spectacular and sensational features, which would be injurious.
 Roots Conclusion.
 .'In conclusion the secretary says:
 'It Is not the fact that the warfare in the Philippines has been conducted with marked severity on the contrary the war fare has been conducted with marked hu- | manity and magnanimity on the part oI the United States army
 In A subsequent letter submitted to tho Secretary of War on March "A, General Miles regrets that the secretary should have considered his proposition. promot- ed in the interest of humanity as in any way as 'spectacular and sensational" He says he would not anticipate any such results from it's adoption. He calls att tention to the fact that when in Cuba last year he advised members of the con- stitutional convention to make an appeal directly to President Mckinley. which they did.
 The President granted the Cuban's rec | quest for an audience made through him, and the result of the delegates visit to Washington was most gratifying. Re- | ferring to his comment that the war in l the Philippines had >been conducted with | marked severity, General Miles says his | information was based upon official re- | ports He says 1t was his purpose near | ly year ago to go to the Philippines | and his projected visit had the approval | of President Mckinley. He adds, in con- clusion, that since his proposition to take | a delegation of Cubans and Porto Ri- cans to the Philippines and bring back | to the United States delegation of Ffli- | pinos does not seem advisable, he asks | for it no further consideration. When he goes to the Philippines he says | he will devote his attention to the con- dition and requirements of the troops in | that division.
 Some Caustic Comment.
 Secretary Root comments upon General | Miles second memorandum, dated March | 25. thus: He says the apparent purpose of the memorandum was to show that the l action taken on the first was wrong. Without commenting upon the propriety of military officer undertaking to revise the action of the President again sub init the paper for such reconsicsrGtion as | the President may think advisable
 Concerning the audience given mempers l of the Cuban constitutional convention (contlnued on Second Psae)