The Washington herald., 1907-02-25
GRANT HERE; SILENT
ExpectedtO Explain Reported
Speech To-day.
MAKES DENIAL IN NEW YORK
General Writes Letter TO Gotham
Paper Repudiating His Alleged
Comforting with Mayor Schmitz.
Arrival in Washington Unexpected.

Mai Gen Frederick Dent Grant, COM
mander OF the Department of the East,
arrived in Washington last evening. It
IS expected that he will go to the War
Department to-day and explain to Sec
rotary Taft the remarks he made in
Philadelphia on Friday evening. which
seemed to reflect upon President Roose-
welt, the Commander-in-Chief of the
army and Gen. Grants superior officer.
II Gen. Grant does not volunteer an ex-
PLANTATION he viii be called upon for one,
just as any other officer in the service
would be asked his reasons for saying
anything that appeared to criticise any
action of a superior in rank.
Gen Grants utterances 10 which OBJ
lection has been found were made at a
dinner of the George c. Meade Post, G.
a. r., in Philadelphia on Friday. The
general was quoted in the newspapers
as saying that he regretted that the
President had conferred and argued with
an indicted mayor of a city Of this coun-
try. meaning Mayor Schmitz. Of san
Francisco. on whether the government
should enforce the provisions of a treaty
with another country.
Gen Grant would not make any state
ment last evening. hut it is known that
he holds that he was misQuoted and that
his statements were misconsrued. His
coming to Washington was unexpected,
and it is believed his visit here at this
time is for the express purpose of setting
himself straight with the President and
the War Department He was accom-
panied by Mrs. Grant.
Issues Denial.
New York, Feb 24-Maj. Gen. Frederick
Dent Grant has issued a denial of pub
lshed reports of his speech. in which he
criticised the course Of President Roose-
Welt in comforting with the san Francisco
authorities on the Japanese school ques-
ton
This denial was contained in the follow
ing letter sent 10 the New York Times:
Your paper. the New York Times. of
this morning contains an article with ref
erence to my remarks made in Philadel-
phia last night at the dinner given by the
George G. Meade Post, G, A. r, The
heading of this article is untrue and with
out foundation. and part of the quotation
contained in the article is incorrect and
gives a thoroughly misleading and wrong
impression made through the mistake OF
your correspondent.
This misstatement places me as an Off
Ger of the United States army in a most
embarrassing and false position, as under
no circumstances would T. for a moment, /
venture TO criticise any act or word OF
the President of the United States. who is
the Commander-iu-Chief of the army.
Hence, as an officer Of the army. 1 write
TO ask that correction be made OF this un-
true statement
AdmfFes His Action.
I referred in Philadelphia to the con-
ditioH of affairs existing in our country
which made il necessary for the President
TO receive the mayor Of a city in consulta-
ton on a national question. While ] re-
GREETED this condition Of affairs. I must
heartily admire and applaud the Presi- /
dents whole action and course in this !
matter Of receiving the mayor as well as
all the President has done or said.
Feeling sure that your sense Of jus /
tice viii cause this correction TO be made [
Of the misstatements which have appeared /
in your paper, and which are most en- /
barrassing TO me as an officer Of the
United States army and personal admirer /
and friend Of President Roosevelt, believe /
me. sir. very truly. yours.
Major General United States Army
Headquarters Department OF the East /
Governors Island. \. Y.
February %, 1901"
Reports All Correspond.
Philadelphia, Feb. 24-That the printed /
extracts in the morning newspapers were /
substantially what Gen Grant had said /
on the subject, both in words and in /
spirit was the unanimous opinion of /
those who were present and paid close
attention. And the further fact that each /
Of the newspaper men in attendance at /
the banquet caught the identical idea
contained in Gen. Grants remarks was
convincing TO those who We're seen, that
they had not mistaken the speakers
words themselves.
The following extracts from the Phila-
delphia morning papers show this una
nimity:
The North American in its report.
among other things. said:
u Is WIN sofFoW tEat 1 now see q PRESIDENT has
had 20 argue with an indicted mayor to whether
the United States could carry cut the provisions Of
a treaty made with another country / don't think
that such thing oould have happened between
March 4. 1859 and March 4, 1877.
The InQuirer reported as follows:
The rode q procedure Of President Roosevelt in II
reaching amicable settlement Of the japanese \
dispute in California vas criticised last night By
Gen Frederick D. Grant = have NOT felt 4
very happy during the past few days" said Gen n
Grant since ] heard that our President had 20 II
enter into negotiations with indicted mayor Of a
Western city the question Of treaty rights Dc
tween and a foreign country. II
The Record said. with the headline, II
Grant Raps Roosevelt"
Gen. Frederick Dent Grant was the guest Of honor
last night at the annual dinner Of the George G.
Meade Post No. !, g. A. r.. at the Union League
and in the course Of his remarks took occasion 10
refer to the recent japanese difficulties in San Fran
cisco and to criticse the policy which has been fol
lowed By President Roosevelt in dealing with the
subject
The United States was really formed and ce-
mented az App0msttoX." said Gen Grant in lead
ing up 20 his reference 70 the Japanese crisis.
The report in the Public Ledger was
similar in its tenor.