The herald., 1897-11-22
Alger Speaks His Piece to
the President
GEN. MILES WANTS MORE MEN
BRIEF ALLUsION TO SAN Pedro
HARBOR
Recommendations Regarding Alaska.
Health Of the Army Good-A
Significant Close
Special to The Herald.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.-The annual
out tonight. The secretary says: "As
only the last quarter of the fiscal year,
ended on the 30th of June last, fell with
In my term, 1t has seemed best to depart
from the usual custom by obtaining
from the officers Immediately responsible
synopsis, in letter form, embracing
the principal and more important mat
ters contained in their reports. together
with recommendation for such legisla-
tion by congress as in their judgment
will tend to the better administration
of their respective departments"
General Miles in his report says: 1.-THE
army. though inadequate in point Of
numbers, was never in a higher state
qualifications Of its officers and intelli-
gence and loyalty Of its soldiers.
Alaska is in extent eleven times the
area of the state Of New York. The re-
cent discovery of rich gold fields, to-
gether with valuable silver and copper
mines, the timber and fishery interests
Of that territory, are attracting and will
attract very large population to that re-
gion. necessitating a more stable civil
government, and also the occupation Of
important points by military and naval
forces. AS far as practicable, 1t would,
in my opinion, be advisable to have its
waters thoroughly examined by such Of
the naval forces as could be used for
that purpose: and as military recon-
noitering and exploring parties in past
years have been sent into that country
to furnish knowledge of its character,
resources and necessities. this, in my
Judgment, should be continued on a
larger and more liberal scale. It would
be but reasonable to anticipate the ne
cessities for military forces In that ter
Titory by the establishment of at least
three military posts to support the civil
authorities, to give protection to the
white settlers and to aid in maintaining
law and order In that remote part of our
country.
"The five regiments Of artillery are
entirely inadequate to man the batteries
that the government has authorized 70 be
placed In positions for the defense of
the coast, and at least two additional
ACSitIlCAto Va AAC AS4AAASN ACA
Immediate duty in this service. there
fore earnestly recommend that congress
authorize an addition of two regiments
to the artillery arm Of the service.
1.-The demand for the services of the
infantry are constantly increasing, SO
that that branch Of the service is made
quate for the requirements of the gov
trnment. and in addition to this the great
territory of Alaska that it is now neces-
eary to occupy with suitable garrisons
makes q demand for additional infantry
imperative, and l recommend that con-
gress authorize the addition Of five regi-
ments to that arm of the service"
Secretary Alger recommends the adj
diticn of the artillery regiments, but
does not recommend the suggested in
crease in the infantry. He further
says:
II recommend the revival Of the grade
Of acknowledgement. All the great
nations of the world give their officers
much higher rank than does the United
States, and few, even of the smaller
ones, have their commanding general
below the grade Of lieutenant general.
1.-THE Military academy at West Point
can accommodate more students, and if
provision is made for two additional
regiments of artillery, as recommended,
the army can absorb more Off grad
uates The superintendent recommends
legislation to authorize the appointment
of two cadets at large from each state,
to be nominated by senators. This
would give 80 cadets more than at pres
ent. 1t is desirable,that there should be
~ GlyotnC and rnnnnlr1oN6
a. an alternative that the president be
each year. This would be an excess of
81 cadets over the number now author
ized.
"rhe fact that Of the total number of
applicants for enlistment 41,O5S have
been rejected. and S2S5 accepted, shows
the care exercised in the selection Of re-
cruits for the army"
The report of the surgeon-general
says:
"rhe health of the army wasiA,xcellent
during the calendar year 1896 The ad-
missions to sick report per thousand of
strength were 1,110.S9. as compared with
l.110.22 in the previous year. The aver
age length of time each case was under
treatment was 11.19 days. as compared
with lila in 1896 and 11.69 as the average
Of thetprevious decade. Great improve
ment has taken place in the past few
years in the sanitary condition of the
colored troops, as manifested by their
lessened rates of sickness, disability and
death. The non-eff1ciency from all
causes among the colored troops during
the year was 25.75 per thousand Of
strength, as compared with 34.72 among
the white troops. The colored soldier
lost 9.42 days from disability during the
year, the white soldier 1911; and the
average time of treatment of each case
was. among the colored troops 1884 days,
among the whites 11.22sdays."
The chief of engineers, in his report to
the secretary, says:
1.-THE act of June 3, 1896. provided for
the appointment of board to examine
and report as to location for deep
water harbor for commerce and Of
refuge ot Port Los Angeles. in Santa
Monica bay or at San Pedro Cal. This
board was duly constituted, and Its re-
port, submitted to congress, was printed
In Senate Doc. No. 18, Fifty-f1fth con2
gress, first session. The board reported
in favor OF locating the harbor at San
Pedro, and the secretary of war, under
the terms of thenct. has given instruc-
tons for action preliminary to the pub
fishing Of advertisement inviting bids
for the work."
Secretary Aser recommends an In