The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-10
He Discusses the Future of the Army
as TO Reorganization.
A STANDARD IS NECESSARY.
He viii Recommend n Plan 10 Cons
Than Hcrctofor, and it
Should Be one Soldier to
Every Certain Number
of Inhabitants.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 9.-Generai
Miles. accompanied By Colonel Miehler,
OF his stan, called az the White House
shortly before the Cabinet meeting to-
day. The General wore fatigue uniform.
showing the two starred epaulettos OF
major general. Al the time OF mis- arrival
the President was conierrlng with Jus
tice Harlan, Senator Allison and other
callers General Miles ana Colonel Mich
Ter were shown into the Cabinet ante
room and there the President Joined
them, eNcusing himself from the other
callers The meeting between the Presi-
dent and the Commanding Gen.
eral was comparatively brief, LAST
ing about nve minutes as he
Cabinet meeting was about 10 be-
gin 10 was not IN the nature OF con-
ference during which questions relating
TO the war were discussed, but was that
formal cal OF respect usual on the re-
turn OF a high Official
WAR AFFAIRS LATER.
The conference Tor more extended dis
cussiOn OF war affairs doubtless VIII come
later, although It was said after the cal
that no exact time had been nXed Tor
further meeting General Niles had no.
thing TO say before or after the call.
lie was greeted with a round OF applause
as he left the White House, pushing his
way through tho dense crowd awaiting
the review OF returning District OF Co.
lumbil troops.
General Miles came 20 the war De-
partment al ~ OclOck to-day, and after
spending a short time In ms room AZ
army headquarters. went TO the oiiice OK
the Secretary of War. Acting Secretary
Meiklejo'n was az the desk OF Secretary
Il No. mil
Atkinson. OF Georgia, and Adjutant-Gen-
eral Corbin when General Miles entered.
The latter was accompanied by a member
of his stan. After the gentlemen had
shaken hands and the business with the
Governor was transacted, Mr. MeikleJohn
and General Miles chatted for some Time
on general topics of the campaign IN
Porto Rico and the return trp OF tho
Commanding General
FUTURE OF THE ARMY.
Speaking OF the future Of the army,
General Miles said that there were
number OF matters which required careful
and deliberate consideration with respect
10 the army organization, and that un-
doubtedly steps in that direction would
be takei as soon as practicable. Inc
matter OF mastering out the volunteer
general officers, 20 correspond Wi'h mo
general reduction of the army Dy mus
terlng out. he said would lave TO 10
taken up at an early date and That uns
doubtedy would cause o. sre-affanBemehs
OF the department commands
with respect Go the reorganization OF
the army. General Miles said that mo
exporience of this war had very clearly
demonstrated what military authofiles
well understood before. that the estah-
Nshmont Of standard was necessary 10
the entire efficiency OF the army. lie sald
IL was his intention 10 recommend plan
of REORGANIZATION 20 Congress, and that
he believed the necessity for ~ would
he recognized by the public and by Con
gress
LARGER ARMY NEEDED.
The ACQUISITION OF territory obviously
made IL necessary that there should be
"a larger army and the experience of ths
war had demonstrated the necessity or
establishing standard and having ine
troobs thoroughly trained to ihe mil-
tary service. lt was desirable. NO shln'
that the army should be organized on the
basis OF one soldier tp every certain
number Of inhabitants
NJ was recognized by military authori-
ties even before the close Of the civil war
that the establishment of standard WIS
desirable. but from time to time tho
army had been reduced until o. had
reached "a number disproportionatelv
small 10 tho size OF tho country and i's
popnlatiOn. lie thought that one soldier
to every one thousand population prob
ahiv would boz found to Doe about 20"
rieht ratio for n standard and that inc
army. this standard being adopted
would increase according tO the recosnlH-
ed needs of the government in an exact
ratio 10 the increase of the population.