Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-11-14
NILES REPORT.
The Commander rim Chiefs Views
on Army Matters.
COAST DEREBsES WANT ATTENTION.
Gen. miles Think Any Naval Power Could
Block Any Of Our Ports In Ninety Days
High Power Guns Wanted and
The Army Enlarged.

report Of Gen. Miles, commanding the
army, was made public yesterday. The
personnel Ii shown TO be In excellent
condition, well instructed, efficient
and attentive TO duty Liberal appro-
pristions are required for public build
ings at the posts, many Of which are
out Of repair Gen. Miles believes
that the peacsful condition now ex'
listing among the various Indian tribes
Is largely attributable to the presence
Of troops at suitable points, and to the
admirable conduct Of the experienced
army officers who have been placed in
charge Of tho principal agencies
Under the head Of coast defense
Gen. Miles states the condition OF
these dofenses Is such as to require de-
clded and immediate action for their
improvement The unguarded condi'
ton Of our coast Is known by every
tirst-class power, and our people should
not DO led into false security. lie re-
calls what he said in his report In 1889
upon the absolute Importance OF the
defense Of the entire Pacific coast, In
view Of the fact that 1t was possible for
any naval power to blockade every Inn
portant port within ninety days while
It would take many years to make a
successful resistance, and the country
might be required to pay an indemnity
Of 5000, 100000 The entire gulf
coast and all the great cities OF
the Atlantic coast northward TO
Philadelphia are entirely without
modern guns. While he does not an
tipate war In the near future, he
shows that in the last 200 years in less
than 10 per cent Of the wars has there
been my formal warning or declara-
ton before hostilities, and as II would
require years Of time to construct
modern weapons Of war 1t would be
unwIse to disregard the lessons OF
history. In our own country for
nearly 200 years there has never been
a period Of thirty-fve years in which
II has not been involved In war lie
points TO the case Of China, which
made the fatal mistake OF relying
upon It's vastly superior numbers for
safety, and argues that the best guar
antee OF peace Is u condition OF readi-
ness for war.
Therefore, he strongly recommends
the construction OF all the high power
guns and system OF defenses called for
In tho general plan Of tho board Of
ordnance and Notifications and other
boards, and TO meet In part the ex-
pense OF this costly undertaking he
suggests the application Of the funds
that might be derived from the sale Of
abandoned military reservations. To
nan these guns he asks an increase OF
he artillery arm, with the provision
Il barracks at Fort Hancock, N. Y,
or the accommodation OF the troops,
md the systematic detail OF subaltern
ulcers for instruction In rotation at
his place.
To thoroughly demonstrate the util-
ty Of bicycles and motor wagons In
he army 1t Is recommended that a
orce Of twelve companies be equipped
With these devices, to be manned from
he 1000 officers and men in the army
BILE to use bicycle, which has boon
.lready found extremely useful.
Gen. Miles argues for an increase In
he strength Of the army, saying that
here Is no reason why 1t should be-
ome crystallized and kept at one
trength, as II has been for years. 1t
hould increase with the growth OF the
country and be determined by the GEN.
us at q minimum Of the one soldier for
very 1000 population and maximum
Il one In 1000,
Gen. Miles concludes his report with
everal recommendations intended to
,eneAt the condition Of the officers and
men and attract TO the military service
he best element in the community.
)ne suggestion Is that where soldier
las served honorably for five years
md wishes to leave the service, he
nay, after passing an examination, be
commissioned as second lieutenant and
discharged, Such man would bene.
1t any community, be useful In the ma
,ionsl guard and constitute valuable
'eserve in time Of war. The pay Of
ion-commissioned officers should be
increased, officers should be given a
rotation in duty to tit them for general
commands, and those below the grade
II colonel who have served thirty
years aud who rendered valuable serv-
ce during the war should be permitted
70 retire with rank one grade higher
than they now hold.
AnnrnV l,arnauia TIM srwaot laos,