San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-12-12
lePgTdI1lC R1I-P0St new.
Fresh And Crisp.

The figure of our sketch, in case OF
war with Spain or any other nation, is
character that the rank and file of
the people may well feel proud of. Gen.
Nelson A. Miles is natural-bOrn sol
late civil war is without parallel in
history. In 81, at the first call of
President Lincoln, lie responded
promptly in defense of the Union and
was mustered into service as captain
of the Twenty-second Massachusetts
infantry. Every old soldier is familiar
with his achievements. He led in
many hard fight during that struggle.
! For gallant and meritOriOus service he
rapidly rose through every grade, and
at the close of the war he wore the
double stars of major general of vol
unteers. On the reorganization of the
regular army he became a colonel in
the Fortieth infantry. To the from
tier and figured in all the Indian cam
paigns of that section, rising gradually
to the rank of major general. Today
he commands the army of the United
States. He is Il live soldier, wide
awake, and knows more about rapid
firing guns, Notifications and smoke
less powder than any dozen military
men in the country combined. He is
not graduate of West Point. He did
not originate the idea of his going to
Europe last summer to examine into
the condition of military matters there.
The president and secretary of war
were instrumental in sending him to
witness the GrecO-Turkish war.
Neither was the first general in our
army sent abroad to examine into
military conditions. Gen. Winfield
Scott was sent there at the time of the
battle of WatelOO; Mcclellan was com
missiOned by the government to watch
the developments of the Crimean war:
Gen. Phil. Sheridan took similar tour
during the Franco Prussian war, and
General Sherman spent year follow
lllS III INV tSllSdllllS lIt ullllldIN NOuul-
tons of Europe.
That Gen. Miles improved his Oppor
tunity and acquired information of
value that may result in the improve
ment of the American army is a mat
ter of record. His late trip was a
grand success from start to finish. He
was offered opportunities of rubbing
up against the great generals of the
world. He visited nearly every great
army of Europe and saw more thaL&
400, 900 soldiers in the manOeuvreS and
in the camps of the different countries.
He inspected the military factories and
investigated the newest things in arms
and ammunition. Gen. Miles is of the
opinion that our army is too small for
our wealth and population. He thinks
the army and navy should grow as the
nation grows. We should have fixed
ratio for the increase of the army. He
would have maximum force one
trained soldier for every thousand of
our population, and as a minimum
force one to every two thousand. If
we had one to every thousand, this
would give rs N army three times the
size of the present one. This ratio
Slloi .'. ne kept UP. lHt uullbtIf VI
troops to be determined by the census
to be taken every ten years. 1t is the
opinion of Gen. Miles that in the event
of war the telephone would cut a great
part in it and steam power would be
largely used in moving the troops and
supplies. There would be many inn
proved arms and long range guns and
smOkeleSs powder would be used.
While the principal of warfare would
be the same. there would be change
in tactics. Battles would be fought at
longer range. Strategy would be more
| important than ever. The great wars
of the future would probably be of
shorter duration than those of the past
There would probably be fewer lives
lost. His recommendation to the sec
rotary of war have been given to the
public. 1t is proposed as a fitting tri-
| butte to the distinguished major gen
eral commanding the army that the
grade of lieutenant general be revived
| for his benefit and those to follow him
in that Office. All the great nations of
the world give their officers much high
er rank than the United States, and
few, have their commanding generals
below the grade of lieutenant general.