The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-27
Duties of the Commander Restricted
TO Inspection of the Army i'm the
Philippine Islands.
WILL EXERCISE NO AUTHORITY
OVER EITHER GEN. CHAFFEE OR
HIS SUCCESSOR, GEN. DAVIS.
Will Sail About Sept. Is and Return
Next January by Way of the Suez
Canal and the Atlantic.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26.-The War De-
partment this afternoon gave out the order
issued to Lieutenant General Miles TO go
to the Philippines. 1t is signed by William
Carey Sanger acting secretary of war, and
is dated to-day. 1t follows:
"Sir-I have the honor to state that your
application for authority to inspect that
portion of the army serving in the Philip
pines is approved by the President. You
will sail about the 18th of September, and,
in inspecting the condition of the army. will
give particular attention to its instruction,
discipline and to supplies of all kinds"
1t is the understanding that in that
pacity, though of superior rank, General
Miles will not interfere in any way with
either General Chaffee his successor,
General Davis, in the direction of the army.
He will critically examine the conditions
as he finds them, devoting his attention
entirely to matters of army administration
and not to political affairs and the results
Of his work will be embodied in a set of
reports Some such work as this was
dertaken few months ago by Inspector
General Breckenridge, who has prepared
a voluminous set of reports, which have
not yet been published, making suggestions
for the betterment of the military service
at every point, from transportation down
to discipline, accoutrements and supplies.
In the absence from Washington of Cen
eral Miles no at army headquarters is
fully authorized to discuss the details of
his projected trip, but it is believed her
that he will be accompanied by at least
two members of his staff, namely Lieuten-
ant Colonel Whitney and Colonel Reber,
the latter his sOn-in-law. Colonel Maus,
who is the inspecting officer of the staff
also may accompany General Miles If his
health, which is somewhat impaired at
present permits. Leaving about Sept. 10
and allowing month for tour of inspec-
ton of the principal islands of the archi-
pelago. General Miles should return to
Washington early in January next The
transports Crook Sheridan and Thomas
are now lying at San Francisco. The Sher-
idan will sail the LIST of September and
the Thomas, according TO present arrange
ments will start Sept. 10. In case the
Thomas should not be ready to sail on that
date the Crook would go in her stead. All
of these vessels have fine accommodations
and are well equipped to make the voyage
OF General Miles a very comfortable one
1t developed that General Miless applica-
ton TO go to the Philippines was of COM
paratlVely recent date, and was in no way
connected with his application of several
months ago. When the first application
was made 1t was coupled with certain sug-
gestions as TO terminating the war. and
Secretary Roots refusal to grant the first
request based largely upon these
phases of the application. In view of this
it is understood that General Miles re-
stricted his second application so as TO make
the trip one for purely military purposes.
Although the text of the application was
not given out at the War apartment it is
said that one of its features is a request
that the return from the Philippines be by
way of the eastern route. AS the appica-
ton is approved General Miles will return
by this route, which inSures his visiting
| Europe on his way back to America.
1t is expected that Mrs. Miles will accom-
pany the general to the Philippines, and
! it may be that his married daughter, who
is the wife OF Colonel Reber. one of the
| generals aides, also will accompany the
/ party. The general will return tomorrow
| from his New England trip, when his plan
| will be more fully made known.