Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-13
ASKS FOR A LARGER ARMY
The Necessity Urged by Gen. Miles
Before the House Committee.
n ARMY STANDARDIZED GEN
ERAL RECOMMENDS A SOLDIER
FOR EACH 1000 POPULATION AT
HOMO AND TWO NATIVE SOL
DIERS FOR EACH LOCO POPULA-
TON IN OUR NEW POSSESSIONS.

Washington, December 12.-Major
General Miles appeared to-day before
the House committee on military af-
fairs for hearing relative to the pro-
posed reorganization and increase of
the army. Two bills for this purpose
are pending, one drawn by Gen. Miles
and introduced in the Senate as the
Hawley bill, and another introduced in
the House by Chairman Hull, OF the
military committee. At the outset
Gen. miles addressed himself to the
general need of increasing the army
without reference to either bill. He
said he had always favored the estab-
lishment OF a fixed standard for the
army. The experience of the last year,
ne said, had demonstrated that our
present military establishment was in
adequate to maintain our position as
a first class power. 1t was necessary
now to consider both our military re-
quirements at home and those in our
new colonial dependencies abroad, and
also the rapidly increasing demands
made by our seacoast Notifications.
The latter, as far as completed, re-
CURED some 1S5 batteries of artillery,
and when the entire increase in coast
defense was completed 365 batteries
would be required.
I The war with Spain had shown pref
(ty clearly how many men would be re-
uuired, Gen. Miles said. The war had
required $1,000 men for actual field
operations at various points. OF these
$4,000 men went to Manila, 10000 to
Cuba and 10000 to Porto Rico. These
were men actually in the presence of
The hostile enemy. Since then there
had been reinforcments for garrison
and other purposes. At the same time
the general pointed out the necessities
at home must not be overlooked. The
entire frontier has been stripped of
troops during the late war, and COM
. Ind property of those along the 'front.'
ler were jeopardized by this condition.
I'm particular there were fears of an
ltbreak IN the Sioux country because
Of the absence of troops. 1t was not
desirable, therefore. so to Withdraw
our forces from the frontier as to leave
,shem defenseleSa or to invite disorder.
These considerations, said Gen.
Miles, had led him to recommend a
standard of one soldier for 1000 pop
ulation at home, with native troops on
a basis of two native soldiers for every
1000 population.
IF we are to be first-class power
in the world" proceeded General
Miles, eve must have a military sys-
lem adequate to meet our responsible
ties the world over. l believe in max
ing that system so small that it will
not be a menace to the American peo
pie, and at the same time large enough
to make it adequate for any emer
gency."
He believed one soldier to 1000
population would give an army en-
tirely adequate for every need 1t
would give an army of $4,000 accord
ing to the last census, and about $4,000
On the estimated population of to-day.
In addition to this force the use of
native troops would make an effective
body in the several colonies.
And if we are to keep the Philip
pines-and l have no more idea that
we will give up Manila than that We
will give up Bunker hill or any other
place immortaliZed in our history
then this native force will largely aug
ment our own troops there, and l I'M
derstand the natives are ready to enter
upon this service.
General Miles then explained in de-
tail the bill drawn by him.
The hearing took quite a spirited
turn when several of the Democratic
members of the committee began cross
questioning General Miles. When Rep
resentative Cox, of Tennessee, asked
IT, at the minority have an opportunity
to ask some questions. Chairman Hull
expressed the hope that the committee
would not divide on political lines, as
It had never before separated into ma
jority and minority.
In response to questions General
Miles said at least 1000 native troops
and 1000 of our troops were required
to maintain order in Porto Rico. At
least $4,000 were required for western
posts exposed to Indian uprisings.
When asked how many troops were re-
uuired in Cuba General Miles said that
as troops were moving there now he
would not go into details on that
point. as it might be enormously con-
strued as a comment on his superiors
in office. He expected that most of
the troops would be off for Cuba with
in 80 days.
when will the Cuban government
be organized?" asked Mr.. Sulzer, Dem,
of New York.
Il do not know; that is political
question" answered the general. He
went on to say that probably 10000
men would be sufficient for Cuba ,in
the near future The officers in the
Philippines estimated they would re-
1uire 25. 900 men, possibly more. Alto
gether about 10000 men were needed
abroad and 80 900 at home.
At the afternoon meeting General
Schofield, who preceded General Miles
IN command of the army, devoted his
chief attention to the friction lnevita-
blv arising between the Secretary OF
war and the Commanding General
under the present system.