Evening star., 1898-11-11

Major General Miles report OF the opera
tions of the army during the past year was
made public today II is a calm. dispas-
sionate account of the Spanish war Ia mar
rative fOrm and throws a clear hight on
mary important features of the Cuban ana
Porto Rican campaigns. which up 10 this
time have been obscure and doubtful. Cen.
Miles has ccnhled himself to a plain state
n-ent of facts. and makes no effort ID criti-
else or condemn any one. His only COM
ments are those of praise, coupled with
recommendations for the betterment of the
military arm of the government. He draws
many valuable lessons from the war. and
Expresses his views with vigor, frankness
and clearness.
The military operations during tina year
have been extraordinary. unusual and en-
teusive," are Tie opening cords of his re-
port. He makes d brief illusion u the
Valuable services of the troops in ;ranSpori-
ing supplies to the citizens OF Alaska ana
i'll exploring that country, and then pro-
Ceeds 10 give an account Of the inllitArJ
opera ,Ions Ia the war with Spain.
Al he close of the great civil war, Gen.
Miles says, The government had million
veterans in arms, well equipped for war at
that time The great amount of war mate
rial then in the possession of the govern
meut was sold or gradually used up by is
sue either to the militia of the states or to
the regular forces that have been engaged
the last thirty years. The supplies and ma
terial thar were not sold. but stored, were
gradually reduced TO the minimum. and the
war with Spain found this country with Il
very small army-2J0GD Hen-with war ma
terIal sufficient only to equip that force and
furnish il with a small amount of ammunI-
ton: but the tentage, transportation and
camp equipage was insufficient for any inn
pOrtdnt military OperatiOnS-in fact, quite
an amount of valuable transportation, in
Guiding ambulances. had been disposed of
vr-f- n -E lost Fa+vK
Preparing for War.
Prior to the passage of the joint resou-
ticn Of Congress. al proved April 20, 1888,
demanding that the government of Spain
relnquish its authority and government in
the Island Of Cuba. etc, Congress had ap-
propriated S50O00COO for the national de-
ferse. and in the interim between this time
and actual hvstilities efforts were made to
have furnished material for military op-
erati1ns on a more extensive scale than had
been done in former years. This action of
Congress was very important, as that tir?e
was most OppOrtUue and favorable for Se-
curing such munitions Of war as were alb
SDlEfeIy essential TO the proper equlppinS
Of an army and to the securing of articles
not in demand or available in this country
al that time. but which used in mod
ern warfaTe and the purchase of smoke
less powder. rapid-fre and machine guns,
modern rifles, etc. was urged at that time.
several bills were pending in Congress
during the winter of 1S9i-9S providing for
th, increase of the regular army. which
f-stily Te-IiteC in the act. approved April
- 1855. authorizing an increase in the en-
listed strength Of the army to 62,59I men.
Congress SUi,ef fqueutly authorized The en-
H= neut II Iuo1u men possessing immunity
from diseases incident to tropical climates
"Ou April l recommended the equipment
% jO.sH valUuteers, and also on hpIii 1J
recommended that additional auxiliary
force of inH1 men be provided for the pro-
lection IF the coasts and reserve
This with the increase of the regular army
and the 10000 immunes. would have given
Us an eftsctiv- force of lG2,59T, which, with
an auxiliary force of 5u,O00 natives, / con-
flst importance to well equip such force
rather than to partly equip d much larger
number CCIles Of these letters are IN
clCsed)
Relying on the Navy.
"At the commencement of the war the
problem was largely naval one, and un-
til the question of superiority between our
navy and the Spanish navy. or such naval
forces as might be furnished by any other
European power or combination of powers
supporting the Spanish government, was
determined. military operations had to be
determined by the success or failure of our
naval forces I was fully convinced that
should our navy prove superior the position
OF the Spanish army in Cuba would be rem
defei Enteuahle with a minimum loss If
life and treasure to the United States.
There We're two most serious obstacles
10 b- avrided-one was placing an army on
the Isis no of Cuba before our navy con-
tt..lcd the Cuban waters and tn ether
was putting an army on the island at a
time when a large number Of the men must
die from The diseases that have prevailed
in that country, according to all statistics
far The last one hundred years. For the
latter reason l addressed a letter to the
Secretary Of War. under date OF April Is.
lS,N forwarding communication from
Surgeon General Sternberg regarding the
danger Of putting an army in Cuba during
the s.ckly season. and at the same time
urged the plan of haraSsing the Spanish
forces and doing the enemy the largest
amount Of injury during the time neces-
sa-y for our navy 10 demonstrate its su-
periOrity-the rainy or sickly season and
the time actually required to equip and in
struct the volunteer forces with the least
possible loss to ourselves. In that letter
] also asserted the belief | have entertained
from the hrst. that We could secure the sur
render of the Spanish army In the Island
OF tuba without any great sacrifice of life.
(The words I'm the latter part of this SEN
tenCe are italicized in the repOrt)
"CougreSating tens of thousands of men
many OF whom were not uniformed AMI
scarcely any properly equipped. in great
camps away from their states, rendered II
difficult for them to be properly supplied
with food cooking utensils. camp euuipage
blankets. tentage. medical supplies trans
portatiou. etc. and was TO a great extent
the cause. in my judgment of the debiIitat
Ing effect upon the health and strength OF
the men. who were otherwise in good physi-
cal condition The material necessary TO
Clothc and equip large armies was not even
manufactured at that time. and the conse-
puent condition of the troops for weeks and
months was injurious to the commands in
many WAYS
Gen. Miles details the steps taken by him
to provide for the prompt and complete
equipment of the volunteers and includes
copies OF his letters to the Secretary OF
War on the subject, well as a general
order looking 70 a uniform supply of cloth
ing and other equipment to the troops
This order calls for liberal allowance OF
wheel transportation. tentage. etc for the
medical department of the army. including
ambulances, stretchers. litter bearers etc