The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-03-21
NILES THREAT TO RESIGN
MAY BRING A REPRIMAND
Washington Officials Retcent, But Politicians Be-
IieVe President Will Take Some Action
Army Bill Denounced by Lieutenant General Who Says Makes
Places For FaVohtes.


hold his commission.
The reason he gave for the state
ment is that the bill is utterly sub
versive Of the interests Of the MILF
tary establishment and he said he
would not be a party TO such a pro
ceeding to the extent of even cOntiHU-
ing to hold mis- place
The statement was made in the
course of a prolonged hearing by the
committee which was conducted be-
hind closed doors and in which Gen
eral Miles touched upon a variety OF
subjects connected with the army
President the Dictator.
The portion of the bill to which he
directed his especial criticism is that
contained in section :, reading as fol-
lows:
That from and after the passage OF
this act the senior general officer Of
the army shall be assigned to COM
mand such portion of the army as the
president may direct or be detailed
to duty in the general staff corps. All
duties prescribed by law for the COM
handing general Of the army shall be
performed by the chief of the general
staff OF other general officer designated
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 staff and upon the separation
from active service of the said lieu
tenant general OF the army, said Of
fee, except as herein provided, shall
cease and determine"
To Put in Favorites.
General Miles said that If this pro-
vision should become a law Il would
have the effect of destroying the unity
of the army and he read numerous
authorities, including Napoleon, Vel
liRgton. Washington, Cass and Grant
to show the necessity of having one
head TO the army and Of controlling
authority. His own experience and OBJ
/ servatiOn had, he said, had the effect
Of confirming these views and he gave
an illustration of its beneficial effect
in time Of emergency. instanCfng the
beginning Of the war with Spain.
Il heard AT midnight" he said that
the Spanish feet had been located def
nitely at Santiago. and hastened 70
the home of Secretary Long where the
news was confirmed. Shafter was
: Their at Tampa and 7 sat down there.
! in the secretary's house, and wrote
I
mediately for Santiago with the re-
suit that the army was soon on its
: way to the point where its presence
was needed. Suppose he added. ex-
/ hibitinS the message which he had
! sent TO General Shafter. 81 had been
/ compelled to get around to a dozen or
more majors. as many colonies and
| any number Of generals constituting
! a general staff2"
Knows the Men Favored.
/ Then ne added that in all probability
! the senior general of the army would
/ not under the provision he mar quoted
! have been in position to do anything.
/ and he called attention to the clause
relieving him (the senior generaD, Of
command and making it possible for
any other officer to be appointed. Re
/ declared that under section : il would
/ he competent to one day promote a
/ captain to the position Of a brigadier
and the next day make him chief Of
staff, thus practically placing a cap
/ tain at the head Of the army. Warm
! ing up somewhat, he asserted that the
( bill was calculated TO accomplish no
I purpose except to allow the secretary
/ Of war and the adjutant general 10
I promote the interests of their. personal
/ favorites.
! in the course Of his remarks Cen
eral Miles told the committee that with
I the bill a law he could now name the
men who would hold the places OF
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