New-York tribune., 1902-03-25
GEN. MILES'S TESTIMONY.
AS IT APPEARS AFTER REVISION BY
HIM.
SENSATIONAL STATEMENTS STRICKEN OUT
Opposition TO THE GENERAL
STAFF PLAN

Washington. March A-The statement Of General
Miles before the Senate Committee on Military
Affairs, it will appear in the official records was
made public tonight. The features which caused
something of a sensation when published the day
the statement made do not appear. and the
following coloquy at the close OF the hearing eX-
plains it
AIr Pettus- Mr.. Chairman, I think there ought to
be some mode OF having these notes revised.
The Chairman-That will be done.
be submitted to General Miles with permission 10
strike out such portions as ought not TO be pub
Mr. Prootor-That is IT.
thing to be stricken out
The Ghairman-We. have been IN the habit OF
whoever he was. the stenographer's report OF his
Mr., Pettus-I want to 20 further than that The
St6Sn3graphar al has no doubt taken down coTTGcty
that he said which he desire to strike out and
The chairman" e must lee the udge Of that
Mr., Pettus-He should be allowed the liberty of
lshed, even If It is stated correctly In the report.
The stenographer's report submitted TO Gen
eral Miles. and the official report indicates that
he followed closely the written statement ne had
prepared and read TO the committee The main
facts OF the Generals opposition TO the War De
partment STAFF bill were given the time. Some
of the features Of the statement. however. not
ported at the time are OF interest. Concerning the
inspector generals department he said:
In the bill under consideration It IS proposed to
been most Instrumental in keeping the army up 10
It's high charaC er and efficiency and in discovering
defalcetions. ineficieuCy and maladmiuistration
porting meritorious conduct eficIenCT and ,bUjtv
In all the different commands and departments OF
the service.
Speaking Of the general efficiency pay quarter
masters and commissary departments. he said:
The three departments mentioned have rendered
most ehcient service in the great Civil War the
and in the Philippines and china. The maled1nin-
istrauon In the commissary department. that occa-
w not fna fgrT u
Of the system, but OF those responsible for it's
mintstraton. and since il was exposed and cor
g Ieeted ! am not awaEs that single case has been
el4Fteu 4 Wheft soidler mas not received MS dai
and pay departments. respectively, and these have
efficient management OF the quartermastcr's de-
partment.
Further along General Miles said Of The bill.
II is centTarzation Of the most pronounced type.
moves It further from touch with the tght!ng force
10 the winds the lessons OF experience. ana aban-
dOns methods which successfully carried through
The proposed plan IS but effort 10 adopt
rlG sncb M r Ia ttbmOnean i1ih G' k"VtInmrnt
arches having immense standing armies 1t wond
Of tho United States
General Miles said that before the Spanish war
began he called on President Mckinley. and that
when the President said he supposed the army was
ready he General Miles, replied:
The army, far the personnel IS concerned.
IS ready for any service. but there IS much TO hc
done In the way OF equipment AMI the defence Of
the coast, which ought to be supplied at the other
end Of the capital
The President. he added, consulted members Of
Congress. and the $0Doe0 defence fund was
voted.
In addition to that portion Of the statement here
tofore published. asserting that the President
could by promotions make n captain chief Of staf
with the grade Of lieutenant general General Miles
said:
1t seems 10 me YOU are throwing the door wide
open for future autOCrat military dcSpOt. II
is not. in judgment in accordance with the
principle and theory Of democratic government.
and for the best interests Of the army, which has
existed more than hundred years and fulfilled all
your requirements, 10 adopt such scheme.