The herald., 1898-12-13
AN INFLATED NOTION

lie believed that one soldier to 1000 pop
ulation would give an army entirely ade-
quate for every need. 1t would give an
tarmy of 6l,000, according to the last census,
and about $4,000 on the estimated popula-
ton of today. In addition to this force, the
use of the native troops would make an eff
fective body in the several colonies.
"And if we are to keep the Philippines,
and have no more idea that we will give
up Manila than we will give up Bunker
Hill or any other place immortalized in our
history, then this native force will largely
augment our own troops there, and l un-
derstand the natives are ready to enter upon
this service"
General Miles then explained in detail the
bill drawn by him.
The hearing took quite spirited turn
when several of the Democratic members of
the committee began cross-questioning Gen
eral Miles.
In response to questions, General Miles
said that about 10000 men were needed
abroad and $4,000 at home.
At the afternoon session General Scho-
field, who preceded General Miles in COM
mand of the army, devoted his chief atten-
ton to the friction inevitably arising be-
manding general under the present system
This had occurred under the command of
General Scott, who removed his headquar-
tiers to New York to avoid differences aris-
ing with the war department. 1t occurred
also during the command of General Sher-
man, who went to st. Louis to avoid fric-
ton. The trouble arose out of the system
which gave the head of the army the name
of commanding general, when in fact he
had little or no authority or even influence
as commanding general Whether he does
anything depends largely on his personal
relations with the secretary Of war If
these relations are not close then the secre-
tary of war gets to ignoring the so-called
commanding general. In that event the ad-
jutant general became more important Of
ficial than the commanding general. Gen
eral Schofield urged that one of the most
essential features of army reorganization
was to give the president absolute power to
select his own commanding officer. In
stead of creating the permanent grade OF
lieutenant general, he favored giving the
president authority to select at any time
lieutenant general the officer occupying
that position retiring to his former grade
The title also should be that of general-in-
chief instead of commanding general, as that
would better express the idea that the head
of the army was the executive officer for
the president and secretary of war. Gen.
eral Schofield also urged that the heads of
all staff bureaus should be subordinated to
the general in charge. Considering the size
of the army under present circumstances,
General Schofield said he estimated need
of about 10000 for the Philippines, $1,000 to
10000 for Cuba, 5000 for Porto Rico, Is, 900
for manning and caring for Notifications,
10000 for the Indian country and $4,000 as
reserve. He did not believe in underes.
timating the seriousness of our task in the
Philippines.
After General Schofeld had concluded
General Miles said he did not approve the
suggestion that the head of the army be
an executive officer of the president. Dur
ing most of the time of the last 100 Years
the army had been under the command of
a general or a lieutenant general, and that
was the practice the world over.
General Miles said he did not speak from
a personal standpoint, as he was ready to
be retired at any time, but he believed IN
the principle of a rank and authority COM
mensurate with the responsibility.