The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-11-18
The Report of the General of the
Army Made Public.
ABSENCE OF ANY DIRECT CRITICISM.
The Document Largely Made Up of ON
olai Disnatchss-Hi- Plan Of CamuaIg
in Cuba--Recomme en- dations for
improving the Army.

Alger. The Keynote to the report is
found in one OF the opening sentences,
where it is said: "The military oper-
atoms during the year have been ex.
traordinary, unusual and extensive"
a statement which is fully borne out
by the long recital of important
events which Gen. Miles shows have
made the military history of the year
1898 the most remarkable since the
end of the civil war
In point of interest the document
divides, naturally, into four chapters,
for, while brief allusion is made to
such matters as the military expedi-
tions to Alaska, interest naturally CEN
tiers in the portion which treats of the
war with Spain. Under this general
head, the report deals with the
plans of the campaign of the
war preparation; with the Santi-
ago campaign, with Gen. Miles
operations in Porto Rico, and,
lastly, with the important changes in
existing organization which are, in
Gen. Miles opinion, necessary to make
the army an effective weapon for the
defense of the country. There is an
though certain sentences in the report
are italicised, in an apparent desire to
justify previously expressed plans of
details of the campaigns, and, where
ii deals of events, the document is
largely made up of a quotation of Off
cial dispatches.
Treating of the war, Gen. Miles be-
gins with Il statement of the unpre-
pareduess of the country, showing
how the vast equipment left by the
million soldiers of the civil war had
been dissipatcd or had become obso-
lete, until the tentage, transportation
and camp equipage were insufficient
for any important military operation.
He recounts the legislation of congress
just prior to the war looking to the
increase of the army. and cites his own
recommendation on April 8 that 40, 900
men be provided for coast defenses
and reserve; that the regular army be
increased, and TO- 900 immunes recruit
ed, making a force of 1920 men,
which, with $4,000 native auxilaries,
he considered sufficient Such force,
properly equipped, he believed to be
better than a large force partly
equipped.
In order that the volunteers should
be speedily made efficient, on April 90
Gen. Miles wrote the secretary of war
that they should be encamped for go
days in their respective states, and
disciplined and equipped and their
officers instructed; all important, he
said, to health and efficiency.
Congregatlng tens of thousands OF men,
many OF whom were not uniformed. and
scarcely any properly equipped in great camps,
away from their states. rendered 1t dificult for
them to be properly supplied with food, cook
ing utensils, camp equpage, blankets, tentagc,
medical supp les, transportation, etc, and was
20 great extent, the cause in my judgment,
Of the facilitating enect upon the health and
strength OF the men who were otherwise H.
good physical condition. The material neces.
sary to clothe and equip large armies was not
even manufactured NJ that time, and the con-
sequent condition OF the troops for weeks and
months, was injurious to the commands in
many ways.
June "a Gen. Miles submitted to the
secretary of war Il written plan of
campaign. Briefly stated, the points
were: That provision be made for the
reception of at least 10000 Spanish
prisoners. That, after capturing San
tiago, some deep water ports be taken
on the north coast of Cuba. That
Nuevitas be captured, and that, with
Il, 900 cavalry and some light artillery
and small body of infantry, an ad-
vance be made into Puerto Principe,
in the interior, with the troops,
and thence move toward Havana.
This movement would occupy the
time until September 80, the troops
would be in the most healthy part of
Cuba during the rainy season and the
prisoners could be employed in road
making. Should a Spanish force be
advanced to Villa Clara, the entire
United States army could be thrown
between that point and Havana and
the Spanish army divided and beaten
In detail Should that plan be rejected
then, after capturing Santiago, the
entire force should be removed to the
western end of the island and a cam
paign made against Havana.
Coming to the operations against
Santiago, the report tells briefly of the
landing of the United States troops
and quotes Skaters telegraphic &C.
tOuhb VI biO bdbblC VI III NdhtJ anu
the dispatches sent and action taken
that led to the surrender of Santiago
The report treats next of Porto Rico.
The story of that successful campaign
is well known, and the report adds
little to the general knowledge.
GeneralizinG upon results, the re-
port adds:
II is gratifying to record that during the war
| not single defeat has been met and not a
prisoner color, gun or rifle has been captured
| by the enemy. In this respect the war has
| been most remarkable and perhaps unparal-
| leled Under all circumstances and in spite OF
many most trying difficulties the troops have
maintained the forttude Of the American
character and the honor of their arms
Gen. Miles closes his report with
some earnest recommendations for the
improvement of the military service.
He trusts the experience of the last
few months will be valuable to the
people and to the government The
value of coast defenses he says, has
been proved, and the system should be