The record-union., 1895-11-12

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE report
of Maior-General Miles. commanding the
United States army, which was maoe
public to-day, differs in many material
respects from statements in regard 10 lts
contents previously published.
General Miles believes that the peaceful
condition now existing among the Varl-
Gus Indian tribes is largely attributable
TO the presence of troops at suitable
points and to the admirable conduct Oh
the experienced army officers who nave
been placed In charge of the principal
agencies. While it is economical ana ue-
sIrable to have the reserve forces OF the
army near the great centers OF commu-
nication. General Miles urgently con-
tends that these points should be selecteo
for their stragetlc value, and that Inc
tendency toward concentration should
not be carried to the point OF oeprlvlng
the Western settlement OF proper prolec
lion. o.,
eraI Miles states that the condition OF
these deienses is such as 10 require de-
cided and immediate action Tor their I'M
movement Some progress has Deeh
made toward defending San Francisco,
and a few modern guns aud rlIes nave
been ulaced. These, however, are out
small part Of what is needed LOT the ue-
tense of the harbor, while San Diego Is III
tho same condition as Puget Sound, en-
tirely at the mercy of any strong naval
,oIyer which could blockad every i'm
nortant bort of the Pacific Coast Wlthln
1hirlv days. While the railroads might
transport a million brave men TO the
coast. they would be useless without ap-
nj h a
of war. anu with all our intelligence.
pride. inventive genius and enterprise,
we are as far behind III the modern APP
plIances OF war as China or Japan.
Such were the conditions, says Gen.
erai Miles, as stated by him IN his re-
port six years ago, and Sucn are Inc con :
ciitions to-day, with the exception OF
slight nronress made a. San francisco.
The entire gulf coast and ali the cities OF
the Atlantic Coast, nOrthward TO Phlla-
delphia are entirely Without tuoderh
guns. With one Exception, the cities
north of New ork are III similar con-
ditlon to those south OF 1t. Some guns
aud lnnrtars have been constructed anu
some shipped to their destination. Car
RACES ior them are under construction
and disbursements have been made TO u
limited extent.
He shows that torpedo plants are USE
less without protective batteries, and that
the water III our principal narOofs IS SO
deep that ligll-dra!t war vessels might
pass over torpedo mines without danger.
lie asserts that the recent maneuVers IN
England have shown that even the pow
eriui British navy is unable TO defend the
British coast against foreign neet.
Therefore he argues that the main rell-
ance must be upon coast batteries.
de strongly recommends The construc-
ton of all the high power guns and sys-
TENS of defense called Tor in the general
plan OF the Board o! Ordnance and tortl-
cations, and TO meet in part the expense
ofthis costly Undertaking he suggests the
application OF the funds that might be
derived from The sale OF Abandoned mill
tary reservations.
lie approves the use of bicycles and
motor wagons in the army, and recon-
luends thar force OF twelve companies be
equipped win these devices.
General Miles argues for an increase IN
the strength OF the army, saying that
there IS no reason why it should become
crystallized ana kept at one strength, as
it has been for years. 1t should increase
with the growth OF the country, and be
determined by the census at a minimum
of one soldier 10 every 1000 OF Iopula-
ton, and "a maximum OF one in LOCO.