The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-12
MAJ.-GEN. MILESS REPORT.
HE COMMEHDS THE DIsCIPJINE
AND PERSONNEL or THE ARMY.
An Increase OF hts Ennsted Strength 60 ne
Least One soldier 90 Every 5000 Fopu-
iation Hs Recommendations Appro-
prlatton0 Urged for Conat Defencep.

An increase or Its Enlisted StrenCth 60 AZ
Least One soldier 90 Every 5000 Fopu-
Iation Is Recommendation Appro.
priations Urged for Coast Dofences.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.-1n transmitting TO
the Secretary OF War the annual reports of the
department commanders In connection with
his own reports upon tho military operations of
the past year, Gen. Nelson A. Miles, command
Ing the army, says:
Fortunately. during the year tho army was
called on only to n limited extent to act either
against hostile Indians or against bodies OF men
who were engaged in violating the United
States laws or international treaty obligations.
The troops OF the Mexican republic, as we'll as
our own, have been engaged in supprcssing such
acts of lawlessnoss as have in n small degree
interfered with the peace of tho communities
on both sides of the border, and arrangements
have been made through tho Government of
Mexico to secure cooperation OF tho forces OF
that republic and our own to this end"
Gen. Miles commends the discipline and per-
sonnet OF the army. During the past year the
country has fortunately been free from any
serious outbreak of Indians. The different
tribes have shown themselves well disposed,
and arc making some progress toward ~civiliza-
ton.
Regarding the distribution Of tho army ut i'm
portant Qualifications along the 5000 miles of
scacoast and Mt certain points along the 1000
miles of national boundary, which Is necessary
TO give security against n foreign foe and pro-
lection from Indians, Gen. Miles says:
awhile 1t is important that these positions DO
judiciously selected. especially for strategic
purposes. there will necessarily be influences
used to have tho troops stationed where they
nre not required. but are for the benefit of local
communities or for. some purpose other than
national requirements. /, therefore,. most
earnestly that no consideration for
tho location of military posts be entertained,
except wien thoy DO called for by tho military
authorities, and deemed absolutely essential for
the national requirements"
A review OF the various changes In the
strength of the army shows that a third OF q
| century ago. when the population OF the coun.
try was only half what 1t Is to-day and the
value of property much less. the army num-
bered twice AS many men as 1t does to-day. and
has remained stngnant and crystallized for
twenty years. Gen. Miles recommends that the
enlisted strength Of the army DO fixed at one
soldier to every 1000 of population as a mini
FOR every 1000 OF population. !" the strength to
be determined within these limits by the Presi-
dent OF the United states. according, TO the ne
c%essities aud requirements OF the nation"
He rcnews his previous recommendation that
at least two stations west OF the Rocky Noun
tains and one eps, be established for the accom-.
mediation or one regiment OF cavalry each: also.
the recommendations concerning the use OF bi:
enlisted men. who shall be found competent
after thorough examination. to the grade of
St''iiil lIltNNtllhIlI hiltT lNc ttI U v
a consideration OF the importance of coast de-
fences COMPRISES the greater part OF Gen. Miles's
report, and is the subject of his most important
suggestions. He renews the recommendations
made in his report for last year. and adds:
Liberal appropriations should be made for
the manufacture OF high. power guns and NOR
tars, the construction of emplacements, plat
construction of barracks and quarters for the
accommodation of the artillery Garrisons that
arc TO m them. and | urge that a suf-
flcient appropriation lie made available for the
work OF the ordnance. engineer. ana quRrtermas-
tiers, departments during The year as follows;
tett Pier. r.. l.. s1t2s25; L"ns Island sound,
entrance. .Sol3, 800: New York, southern en-
trance. Sl,29o.60u: phIladelphia; Sja5.o.5;
9a5: Hampton Roads. Va. S5i9.355; WilminG.
ton. y. G.. sl:5.525; Charleston. $, G. $3.50
ssS'4S SS!1P PenSae cola; si Pa. si, HSS e; Mobile Die.
Ala. Sl5o.4OO: New Orleans. SASH. 400: Calves
San francisco, 500. $50: mouth Of the CoIum.
hIa River. Or. S500.32e; Puget Sound. S1oi.-
The above sums are impera,trely required
for the present year, The amounts for the
constructions Of barracks and quarters included
comple,e the work needed for that department.
An unwise argument has been made against
the construction OF modern hiEh-power guns,
mortars. and the modern appliances OF war.
classes. and in some instance, marked protests
have been nude against such a national policy;
consideration: yet It is deemed proper
to call attention to the fact that
these national safeguards arc In no sense n men.
ace to ans class of citizens. not even to the
humblest individuals: but, on the other hand.
they ere n protection to the lie, property. and
welfare Of all classes. from tho highest to the
lowest. They protect not only the commercial
ports. with their accumulation OF pubic build
incs and private DWELLING. the commerce, the
shipyards, the factory. tho foundry. the work
shop. but also the savings bank and the cottage:
In fact. the destruction of our great commercial
ard manufacturing cities would be n national
disaster, far more serious and appalling to the
great masses of the labnr;nR people than IL
would be TO any other class Of our people"