Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-10
GENERAL MILES
Expresses Himself StronglyUp-
on Condition Of Army.
Favors Large Increase---0ne Soldier
to Ever, 1000 People.
Commander. in Chief Not Bashful in Express.
ing Views on Army's Needs.

Washington, Sept. 9.-General Miles,
accompanied by Colonel Michler OF
his staff. called at the White
House shortly before the cabinet meet
ing began. The general wore fatigue
uniform showing the star red epaulet-
ties of a major general. Al the time Of
his arrival the President was confer
ring with Justice Harlan. Senator Alli-
son and other callers. Gen. Miles and
Col. Michler were shown into the cabi-
net anteroom and there the President
Joined them. excusing himself from the
other callers.
The meeting between the President
and commanding general was compar-
atively brief, lasting about five min
utes. as the cabine. melting was about
to begin. Ii was not in the nature of
conference, during which questions
relating to the war were discussed, but
was that formal call of respect usual
on the return of high official. The
conference for more extended discus
sion of war affairs doubtless will come
later.
Gen. Miles was greeted with a round
of applause as ne left the White House.
pushing his way through the dense
crowd awaiting the review Of returned
District of Columbia troops.
Speaking of the future of the army.
Gen. Miles said that there were a num-
Der of matters which required careful
and deliberate consideration for the
respect to the army organization and
that undoubtedly steps in that direc-
tlon would be taken as soon as practi-
cable. The matter of mastering out
the volunteer general officers in CORE
spondence with the general reduction
OF the army by mastering out. he said.
would have to be taken up at an early
date. and that undoubtedly would
cause Encouragement of the depart-
ment commands.
With respect to the REORGANIZATION of
the army. Gen. Miles said that the expert
ence OF this war very clearly demon
strated what military authorities well
understood before. that the establishment
OF a standard was necessary to the entire
efficiency of the army He said It was his
intention to recommend a plan of reor-
ganization to Congress and that he be-
iieyed the necessity for it would be recog-
The acquisition of territory obyiously
made it necessary that there should be a
larger army, and the experience of the
war had demonstrated the necessity of
establishing standard and having the
troops thoroughly trained to the military
service. 1t was desirable. he said that
the army should be organized on basis
of one soldier to every certain number of
inhabitants.
1t was recognized by military authors
ties before the close of the War of the
Rebellion that the establishment Of a
standard was desirable, but from time to
time the army had been reduced until IT
had reached a number disproportionately
small to the size of the country and it's
population. He thought that one soldier
to every 1900 population probably woula
be found to be about the right ratio for
a standard and that the army, the STAN
dard being adopted. would increase ac-
cordinG to the recognized needs OF the
government. in an exact ratio to the in
crease of the population
1t was very clearly demonstrated in the
war with Spain, that there should be
full complement of non-commissioned
officers and men as well as commissioned
officers, who were trained to the hard
ships of milikary life and who knew how
to take care of themselves and to look
out for their own health ana comfort in
a campaign.
He said that it was important to the
efficiency of an army that the men should
have training for the endurance of
marches, methods OF protecting them
selves against severe weather and disad-
yantageous climatic conditions, taking
proper food, and how to care for their
persons. so as to preserve their health,
strength and efficiency: and that there
should be a sufficient number of non-cim-
missioned officers thoroughly trained in
the knowledge essential to soldiers life
and to the care of the men.
He said that 1t was just as necessary
that soldiers should have proper training
as 1t was to train men to build a house or
to have man skilled in his profession to
perform any professional service. 1t was
essential that an army should be COM
posed of soldiers trained to their profess
sion, commanded by efficient officers in
every grade and controlled strictly ac-
cordfng to military principles. That mill
tary operations should be directed by
military men. he said. was too obvious to
need to be stated.