The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-08-25
THE MILITARY DIVISIONS.
An Effort Being Again Made to Have
the Departmental System
Abolished.
Gen. Miles Is Generally Thought
to Be Back OF the Move
ment.
He II supposed to Have Enough Political
and Civil Influence to Accompii
His Wishes.

WAsH1NaToN, Aug. M.-In conversation
with high official of the war department
the Pioneer Press correspondent learned
some facts regarding the pl opposed re-sstab-
lishment of the military divisions OF the
United States In place Of the present de-
partmental arrangements that have been in
existence for some time. The military di-
visions were abandoned and the present de-
partmental arrangements entered into by
the officers of the war department. who
preferred less red tape and the quicker des-
patch of the military business. Under the
division arrangement all department COM
manders were compelled to report to the
division headquarters, and the division
commanders reported to the general com-
manding the army. Now every depart
ment commander reports directly to the
commanding general in Washington. and
under that arrangement il is quite easy to
transact business With greater dispatch.
This proved satisfactory to the higher Off
Gers in the war department, but some Of
the major generals did not like il. As
matter of fact the complaint comes almost
wholly from Gen. Miles. He feels that as
major general he il not given large
enough command. He is an ambitious
man and he feels that he is able to COM
mand with intelligence nearly al Of the
west. In fact, having spent great deal of
the time, and. having achieved great deal
Of distinction in the northwestern country
40 we'll ~ by his command Of the Pacific
coast, he would like to have those great and
important departments placed under his
direction,
When this division is made, If it is made
at all. question will arise as to whether or
not there will be two or three divisions of
the United States. Before there were three
divisions-the western. tho middle and the
Pacific coast-and there is now some talk
that the three divisions will be again estab-
lished, and that Gen. Howard will COM
mand the eastern division; Gen. Miles the
middle or Mississippi division, extending
to the Rocky mountains. and probably Gen.
Ruger the Pacific coast division. 1t can be
stated as fact also that Gen. RuQer, who is
the ranking brigadier general at present,
will be the next major general. This is al
ready agreed upon. In case there are two
division only an interesting point will
sriss as to where the dividing lines will
b.. Gen. Miles would probably dislike
very much to relinquish his command at
Fort Sheridan, Chicago, because that is re-
garded as one Of the most i'm portant points
IN the country, but he would also like to
secure the Pacific coast, including the de-
partments OF Texas, Arizona. California
and the Columbia. 1t is believed that this
ambitious general, however, seeks more
particularly the command of both the de-
partments of Dakota and the Platte. Both
Of these departments for active service,
Offering oppo1 tunities for good records, are
Of more importance than any other depart
ments in tho country. There is no denying
the great political and civil influence that
Gen. Miles has behind him, and il he
makes a determined effort to restore divis-
ions in the army there is no doubt but what
the matter may be placed before Secretary
Elkins in way that will cause that official
to WELD. 9ts N~