Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-11-17
GEN. MILES, FULL REPORT.
Interesting Document from the Command
Ing General Regarding Operations In
Santiago and Porto Rico.

hlger Inc Keynote 10 Jhe 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"
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
1893 the most remarkable since the
end OF the civil war. 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 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 that 40, 900
men be provided for coast defenses
and reserve; that the regular army be
increased, and 10000 immunes recruit
ed, making a force of 1872, 597 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 so
days in their respective states, and
disciplined and equipped and their
officers instructed; all important he
said, to health and efficiency.
Congregating 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 difficult for
them to be properly supplied with food, cook
ing utensils camp eQuipage, 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 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, coo cavalry and some light artillery
and small body of infantry, an adj
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
mailing.
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:
1t is gratifying to record that during the war
not single defeat has been met and not a
prisoner, color. gun or rife 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
completed without delay. He favors the
adoption of standard of strength for
the army to meet the country's
growth and suggests that it be one
soldier for every 1000 population,
yielding force of 62,579. While this
force is already provided for, unfor-
tunately the authorizing act requires
the army to be reduced to it's former
inadequate basis on the termination Of
the war.
Gen. Miles, in conclusion, recon-
mends the authorization of an auxil-
larry force of native troops in Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines, to be
differed by United States army officers
and not exceeding two soldiers for
1000 population of the Islands, and all
of these increases, he urges should be
made at once, as they are of vital im-