The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-16
NILES DEFENDS His REPORT.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR or THE
"ARMY AND NAVY REGISTER"

He says He Went to the Philippines.
Under Orders From the President to
Give Espcoiai Attention to the Discl-
Dime and to the Supplies Of the Army.
WASHINGTON, May l5.-Gen. Miles has
written a long letter to the editor OF the
Army and Navy Register for publication
Tomorrow morning In explanation OF nus
reports OF cruelties and outrages in the
Philippines The Army and Nary Rea,ster
was for some time supporter OF Gen, Miles.
but recently condemned his Philippines
reports Gen. Miles says
1t In proper to say that went to the Philip
pine Islands OF asa tourist but In an oncmi
| capacity.
Moreover. the instructions addressed to
| me as Northumberland Commanding
the Army" came from the highest authority.
| viz, the President In them was directed
| to give especial attention to the instruction,
| discipline and supplies Of the army"
En- route visited several military stations
in this country and inspected the entire Pacific
coast defences. including every gun. mortar.
ma ga zine and garrison
l went very thoroughly over the Philip
pine Islands, visiting all the principal gar
risons. seeing nearly all the troops. comph-
menting them in person and in my oficml
report.
The idea that I was governed by preju-
dice in any way ia as idle as 1t Is untrue How
ever. certain facts came to my knowledge
from officers Of rank and experience. as well
! as from prominent citizens. relating to offences
that had never heard of before; and found
an impression existed in the minds OF some
that certain acts that have been prohibited
in our army and in every other civilized army
were justifa BILE. and the pleas Of not guilty"
to offences that had been committed were
sustained on the ground that they were
committed under instructions or in ac-
cordance with certain written and verbal
orders. l therefore deemed it my duty
to rescind any orders that might convey
such dangerous and erroneous impre ssl ons.
and directed that the order above referred
to be issued.
The object OF the order WAS not only to
rescind any injurious orders that might
have been issued. either verbal or written.
but to prevent any possibility Of the COM
mission Of any such offences in the future.
You will observe that the order does not criti-
else or condemn the acts OF single Ameri-
During the eight years that have occu-
o1 se obee h seare
regard Tor Its honor than myself.
The officers of the law, who arrested. tried.
convicted and !, executed ;t heretofore hon
lege. who had committed great crime, were
not called the enemies Of Harvard. nor was
the honor OF that institution involved or
professor; The, authorities who prosecuted
and condemned Tweed and his. associates
were not accounted the enemies OF New York,
or as though they ..smirched its honor"
eating. alleged offences are not enemies OF
the Administration or OF the Department
In the greatest and b!oodiest OF all wars
covering four years and In which were en-
NJ W I hox
heard OF single case of human torture.
and those who falsely assert that it was prac-
tlsed Insult alike those who wore the blue and
For 100 years the army has been waging
namable atrocity that at some time some
indians did not commit. but retaliation in
rendered Indians have always been prohibited.
1t is idle to assume that campaigning In
the Philippines has conditions that warrant
from the honorable method Of conducting
existed should be ovsriooked and "dee eondoned fe
1t Is most gratifying that the serious offences
unless they were under the direct orders OF
certain ofrcers who were responsible. Soldiers
have withheld fire. when ordered to shoot
and written to relatives at home urging them {;
70 take action to put stop to these, crimes.
I will ever be one of the elories of the army
that st o. such deeds committed by whatever
soldier: The officers who are responsible |
90 not by any means constitute the American |
Army, and there must be very unmstak- |
honorable and faithful Officers AN and b brave
soldiers, whose records. have been COM
whose acts have received and should receive |
the earnest condemnation Of all honorable