The San Francisco call., 1897-10-23

Miles, major general commanding the
army, has made his report to the Secre-
tary of War. In il he makes reference to
reports OF the generals and of The other
officers subordinate to him n rank. GEN
eral Miles says in part: The army, al
though inadequate IN point OF mum bers,
was never IN a higher state Of efficiency.
The procress that has been made on tbs
Pacific Coast in the -sta blishment of mod
ern batteries of artillery, have made it
necessary to occupy new ground and
10 adept a new system of defense. The
very com manding position, known for
merry as Lime Point, and now as Fort
Baker, has received portion of its arma-
ment and viii soon become a most for
midab part of the defense OF the harbor
of San Francisco.
at will DE noticed by General Shat er's
report that very activ. and earnest work
IS being done in putting the important
fort in condition of proper defense. The
same work is in progress all along the
Pacific Coast, and espec ally at San Diego,
Cal, and will in time be completed at the
mouth of the Columbia r ve- ana also
The entrance to Puget Sound. Wash.
Attention is also invited TO The report of
Gem raj Merriam, command ing the De-
par ment OF The Columbia, especially 10
the importance of larger garrison at the
entrance of the Columb bla River, Oregon
and 20 his report on the condition and
necessities of the great territory of Alaska.
"As all he other Territories have been
occupied by military posts and appropri-
ations have been made for military roads
ami esta blishment of telegraph lines.
bridging CT rivers and, in fact, aiding
and blocking o 1t the way for occupation
of The vast Territories By citizens. it Is
deemed but just and advisa bic that the
same liberal spirit should be manifested
towdrd tha: great and important Terri
tory.
''As far as practicable it would, In nv
opinion, be advisable TO have its waters
thoroughly examined by such of the
naval forces as could be used for that pur-
pose and as military reconnoitering and
exploring parties IN past years have been
sent 10 the country to furnish knowledge
OF its character, resources and neces i
ties, this, i'll my judgment. should be con-
iinued on larger and more liberal scale.
''While there is now no conf ct be-
ween the population, composed of some
and settlers. as the former are supplied
with modern arms. they may become
turbulent and troublesome Such has
been the history of nearly all the tr bes
in the other Territories. Hence IT would
b but reasonable to anticipate the neces-
sites for military forces in that Territory
by the establishment of at least three
military posts to support the civil author
tiles, TO give protection to the white set
tiers and to aid in maintaining law and
o:der in that remote part of our country.
The condition of the Indians gener-
ally is better to day than it has been for
many years, and during he last year there
has been no serious disturb bance of the
peace. 1t was wise provision of Congress
that authorized the President to detail
experienced officers OF the army to act as
Indian agents, and trust this system will
be continued.
During the last ten years much atten-
ton has been given by the Government
10 the subject of coast defense. ana most
beneficial results are becoming apparent
Approximately $26, 600 600 has been ap-
propriated by t Government, which is
nearly one-thiid of what is require to
pui the country in 4 safe condition OF de-
tense. Although the general desire Of
our people is 10 maintain a condition of
peace with all nations and the policy of
the Government is one of good Will and
peaceful relations with all others; vet
nothing could be more injudicIous than
o remain in a coadition of insecurity and
permit The lives OF M III ons and the &C.
cum mulaied wealth of many generations
to be destroyed or endangered by any for
eign power with which we are liza bic to
come in contact"
He recommends foriification appropria-
tions in the West as follows: Galveston.
Tex, $4,000; San Diego. Cal. 1925 00O;
San Francisco, ST. $50 coo; Coium b.a River,
$605. coo; Puget Sound. 81. 140,O GOO
He recommends strongly an increase in
The army of at least. two additions al regi.
ments of artillery, saying that by the 3lst
of Decent Der a number of positions will
be armed in part or fully with modern ap-
pliances Of war and that in these impor-
tant positions there are no troops sta
toned and none available for assignment
to those stations without taking them
from stations where they are at present
m peratively required.
He also suggests the necessity of adding
five infsntry regiments to the army and
recomm mends that Congress fix standard