The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-07

by the commanding general of the army
and today was handed to Secretary Alger,
who will transmit it to congress, probably
through the chairman of the house COM
mittee on military affairs Representative
Hull, after he has had an opportunity to
make any changes that he may deem
desirable.
The explanation of the broad general
principles of the bill Zone feature OF which
provides for the creation of three new
officers. a general and two lieutenant
generals of the army, in accordance with
the practice of modern military nations)
is disclosed in the following letter:
Headquarters of the Army,
Washington. D. c., Dec. >.
The Honorable Secretary of War:
Sir-I have the honor TO submit here
with the draft of bill for the reorgani-
cation Of the United States army. based
on a strength of one soldier 10 1000 Of the
population of the United States and two
soldiers TO l,0OC of the population in the
/ dependent olonies-approXimately 100000
men.
My recommendations are for what 1 BE-
, lieVe to be the best interests of the gov
eminent, not only at present, but. as far
as We are able to see. for the future. The
recommendations have been made regard
less of any personal consideration of any
officer or soldier now connected with the
| military service.
The proportion of artillery, cavalry and
infantry is in accordance with the imme-
diate necessities Of the United States. We
nave 400 miles of coast, with twenty
seven principal harbors, where are To-
Gated millions of people and property of
| almost inesdmable value. That they
should properly be defended is demanded
by every consideration of prudence and
good administration. IN addition TO this,
we have the important harbors in Puerto
Rico, Cuba. and the Philippines to defend,
requiring large force OF artillery.
The organization recommended is such
as to give rank in proportion to the i'm
portant duties and great responsibilities
required Of the different officers in our
service and is similar to the organiza-
ton which has been found most efficient
in the armies of all other civilized nations
| most effective in the confederate army be-
tween the years 1861 and 1885, \ similar
organization has been recommended by
General Sherman and Lieutenant General
Schofeld.
Il earnestly recommend favorable con-
sideration of the organization as pre-
scented. Very respectfully.
NELSON A. MILES,
Major General, Commanding.
PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
The bill contains the following pro-
visions:
BE it enacted. etc. that the military
establishment of the United States shall
hereafter consist of fifteen regiments of
cavalry, fourteen regiments sea coast
artillery. two regiments Of field artillery
two regiments of engineers fifty regi-
,,,e,fs of infopfr.- tba ,1.ofaesoyye aI,5
corps of cadets Of the United States Mill
tary academy, and such other force as
snail be PROVIDED Tor Dy tnlS act, TO De
known as the army of the United States
Section l. That the regiments of cav
airy shall be organized IS now provided
by law, each to consist of three squad
! rons of four troops; each troop to be or.
ganized as shall be provided in this act.
Provided. that each regiment of cavalry
shall consist of 1099 enlisted men, with
the necessary compliment of officers.
Sec 3 That the artillery arm of the
service shall consist of seacoast and field
artillery. That the seacoast artillery
shall consist of fourteen regiments Of
twelve batteries each. and the field ar