Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-11-17
MILES ON The WAR.
The Report Of the General Of the
Army Made Public.
ABSENCE OF ANY DIRECT CRl1ICISN.
The Document Largely Made Up Of ON.
clal Dispatches-His Plan NJ Camrsign
In Cuba-Rec0mm lamentations for
Improving the Army.


Washington, Nov. 1.-THE report Of
Maj Gen. Miles, commanding the
United States army, was made public
yesterday by direction Of Secretary
Alger. The keynote to the report is
found in one OF the opening sentences,
where 1t is said: 1.-THE military oper-
atoms during the year have been ex.
trsordinary, 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
, entire absence Of any direct criticism,
though certain sentences In the report
are italicised, in an apparent desire to
justify previously expressed plans Of
details Of the campaigns, and, where
it deals Of events, the document is
largely made up of quotation of Off.
cial dispatches.
Treating Of the war, Gen. Miles be-
gins with statement Of the unpre.
paredness Of the country, showing
how the vast equipment left by the
million soldiers Of the civil war had
been dissipated 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 Q that 1000
men be provided for coast defenses
and reserve; that the regular army be
increased, and 10, 900 immunes recruit
ed, making a force Of 16s,597 men,
which, with $4,000 native auxilaries,
he considered sufficient Such force,
properly equipped, he believed to be
better than large force partly
equipped.
In order that the volunteers should
be speedily made efficient, on April 20
Gen. Miles wrote the secretary Of war
that they should be encamped for so
days in their respective states, and
disciplined and equipped and their
officers instructed; all important, he
said, tic health and efficiency.
Congregatlng tens Of thousands Of men,
many OF whom we're not uniformed, and
scarcely any properly equipped In great camps,
away from their states rendered 1t difficult for
tho,,, IN In ,,rnporlv cupnlipI With fond ponlr
Ing utensils, camp equlpage blankets, tentage,
medical supplies, transportation etc. and was,
TO great extent, the cause. In my judgment,
OF the facilitating effect upon the health and
strength OF the men who were otherwise In
good physical condition The material neces-
sary to clothe and equip large armies was not
even manufactured at that time, and tho 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 a 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
10, 900 cavalry and some light artillery
and a 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 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.
~aWn 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.
count of the battle of Fl Caney and
the dispatches sent and action taken
that led to the surrender of Santiago.