Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-09
General Miles Says That a Standard
is Lacking.
RESUMES HIS DESK 1T HEADQUARTERS
Made a Brief Call on the Presi-
dent.
AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT

Major General Nelson A. Miles, accom-
panied by Colonel MichIer OF his staff,
visited the White House shortly before the
cabinet meeting began today, and made a
brief call of respect on the President. The
call of the commanding general attracted
much attention, as it was thought the
meeting with the President might bring
the Alger-Miles controversy to focus, or
else dispose of it as a closed incident.
General Miles pushed his way through
the great crowd which had invaded the
White House grounds awaiting the Presi-
dents review of the District troops. He
was in fatigue uniform, with high-buttoned
blue sack coat. with the two stars denoting
the major general. His regulation cap was
the conspicuous feature OF his dress. show
ing q wide band of heavy northumberland
flowers. Colonel Michler wore the broad
brimmed Cuban sombTero.
The President was with Senator Allison,
Gov. Shaw of Iowa and Justice Harlan
when Gen, Miles card was sent in. but he
excused himself to the other callers and
joined the general and Col. Michler in the
large ante-room adjoining the cabinet room.
\ Brief Meeting.
The meeting was brief, lasting not over
five minutes. 1t was not in the nature of a
conference, for the discussion OF war af-
fairs was confined to that formal prcscnta-
ton of respects which is usual when high
officials return to the capital. The discus
sion of war affairs will come later, al
though it was said after the meeting that
no exact time for it had been fixed. 1t is
understood that the Alger-Miles contro-
versy was not mentioned. The brev;ty of
the meeting allowed time only for polite eX-
changes. Gen. Miles declined to talk be-
fore or after the meeting.
Heartily Cheered.
He cordially greeted old acquaintances,
and as he passed out of the White House
there was round of hearty applause from
those who had recognized him, despite the
charge wrought by his shaver upper lip.
The generals face wore a serious and de-
termined look as he entered and left the
White House Having made his call of
respect on the President it will be for the
latter to suggest what further meeting is
to be had for the discussion of war affairs,
and the taking up Of the Alger-Miles mat
ter, if it is to be taken up. The impression
is growing, however, that the administra-
ton will seek to allow the unpleasant in
cident to die out.
General Miles arrived in Washington
shortly after 6 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
He was accompanied by his staff officers
and by Mrs. Miles They came in by the
Pennsylvania railroad, and a large crowd
was assembled at the 18th street station to
greet the general.
At the War Department.
Gen Miles went to the War Department
"a 10 o'clock. AID after spending Il short
time in his room at army headquarters
went to the office of the Secretary OF War
Acting Secretary Me;klejchn was at the
desk of Secretary Alger, and was talking
with Gov. Atkinson of Georgia and Adjt.
Gen. Corbin when Gen. Miles entered. The
latter was accompanied by member Of
his staff. After the gentlemen had shaken
hands all around, and the business with
the governor was transacted, Mr.. Aeikle-
john and Gen. Miles cbatted for some time
on general topics of the campaign in Porto
hico and the rett m trip of the command
ing general.
After calling on the acting secretary Of
war and the President, Gen. Miles resumed
his desk at army headquarters.
The general shows the effect Of his cam
paign in the trying climate of Porto Rico,
but not to the degree that might be ex-
pected- He is bronzed and has lost some
flesh apparently. ard having shaved off
his mustache, which is now just starting
out again, his appearance is somewhat
CT anged His frank and courteous manner
mas changed in no respect, however and
ne ccnversed pleasantly with persons call
ing en- him whenever he had an opportuni-
~ from his business to receive them He
vas perfectly placid in his demeanor and
there was nothing in what he said to indi-
cate the intense feeling he is credited with
Win respect 10 some events of the war
Needed Army REORGANIZATION.
Speaking to a Star reporter about the
future of the army, he said that there were
number of matters which required care
full and deliberate consideration with re-.
spect to the army orga1iza ton, and that
undoubtedly steps in that direction would
De taken as soon as practicable. The mat
Ter CT mastering out the volunteer general
ohCers, in correspondence with the gem
eral reduction of the army by m1Istering
out, he said. would have to be taken I'M af
an early date, and that there would nm
doCbtedIy be Encouragement of the de-
partment commands
Nlth respect to the reorganization of the
army zen. Miles said that the experience of
tniS war had-very clearly demonstrated
what military authorities well understood
peIofe. that The establishment OF "A stand
aIu was necessary TO the entire efficiency
80 % me army. III would take some time, he
sa-I' 10 thoroughly consider and lay out
d pan Tor the Reorganization ard the SUBJ
Ject would then have to be submitted to
congress for its action.
A Larger Army,
he said 1t was his intention to recon-
mend plan of reorganization to Congress
and he believed the necessity for II wouId
be recognized by the public and by Con-
sress- The acquisition of territory obvious-
" made 1t necessary that there should he
larger army, and the experience of the
war mad demonstrated the necessity of es-
taOnshing standard and having the troops
thoroughly trained to the military service
II. was desirable, he said, that the army
snCuid be organized on the basis of ono
soldier TO every certain number of inhab-
ltants. 1t was recognized by military an
tnorities even before the close of the war
OF the rebellion that the establishment of
a standard was desirable, but from time tn
time the army had been reduced until il
mad reached number disproportionateIy
small 10 the size of the country and its nom
uldtlon. He said he thought that one SOL
dler TO every LOO population would proba-
biy be found to be about the right ratio for
a standard, and that the army, this stand
ard being adopted, would increase accord
ing to the recognized needs of the govern
ment in an exact ratio to the increase of
the population.
Necesssity for Thorough Training
1t was very important, he said, and this
mad been clearly demonstrated in the war
with Spain, that there should be a full
complement Oh non-commssioned officers
and men, as well as of commissioned off
GERS, who were Trained to the hardships of
military life and who knew how to take
care of themselves and to look out for their