The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-11
GEN. MILES MAKES HIS REPORT
OPERATIONS EXTRAORDINARY,
UNUSUAL AND EXTENSIVE.

and With Changes in the Organ
izatiOn of the Army in order to
Make 1t More EGective-An Entire
Absence of Evidence OF Direct
Criticism.
Washington. Nov. 10.-The report of Maj.
Gen. Miles, commanding the United States
army, was made public to-day by direc-
ton of Secretary Alger. The key note of
the report Is found in one of the opening
sentences. where it says: THE military
operations during the year have been ex-
traordinary, unusual and extensive"
statement which is fully borne out by the
long recital of important events which
Gen. Miles shows have made the military
history of the year 1898 The most remark
able since the end of the civil war.
In point Of interest the document divides
naturally into four chapters, for while
brief allusion is made to such matters as
the military expeditions to Alaska, inter-
est centers in the portion which treats of
the war with Spain
Under this general head. the report deals
with the plans of campaign and war prep
aratlons; with the Santiago campaign;
with Gen. Miles operations in Porto Rico,
and, lastly, with the important changes in
existing organization, which are in Gen.
Miles opinion, necessary to make the
army an effective weapon for the defense
of the country. There is an entire absence
of any evidence of direct criticism, though
certain sentences in the report are itali-
IL,
yiously expressed plans of details of the
campaigns, and where it deals with events
the document is largely made up of quota
lions of official dispatches.
Treating of the war Gen. Miles begins
with statement of the unpreparedness
of the country, showing how the vast
equipment left by the million soldiers of
the civil war had been dissipated or had
become obsolete and the tentage, trans
portation and camp equppage was insult
ficient for any important military opera
tons. He recounts the legislation of Con-
gress just prior to the war, looking to the
Increase of the army, and cites his own
accommodation on April 9, that 10000
men be provided for coast defense and re-
serve; that the regular army be increased,
and that 10000 immunes recruited maxi
ing force of 162.597 men, with which 3d.
wv native duAlildIleS he CONSIDERED sur
ticient Such force properly equipped he
believed to be better than larger force
partly equipped.
In the letter containing this recommen-
dalton he said: Il also recommend that at
least twenty-five regiments of infantry
five regiments of cavalry and the light
artillery be modified and placed in one
large camp where they can be carefully
ana thoroughly inspected, fully equipped,
ls4flT .41
AIDES and divisions and prepared for war
service"
He further asked for $4,000 volunteers
| to make up an army of $50, 900 soldiers for
| offensive operations in Cuba, the whole
lorce to be fully equipped leaving the
| state troops to defend the coasts and
| for reserve"
April 10, he wrote Secretary Alger as
| follows: Il have the honor to submit the
following That, in my Judgment, the
available force of the regular army should
be modified in the best and most availa-
BILE healthful position in the department
of the Gulf I suggest Chickamauga Park
on account of its latitude and advantage
for preparing a command for the serious
requirements of actual warfare"
Gen. Miles says, in his report, that In
the beginning the war problem was purely
naval one, and he was convinced that
should our navy prove superior, the posi-
ton of the Spanish army In Cuba would
be rendered untenable, with a minimum
loss of life and treasure TO the United
States He says: There were two most
serious obstacles to be avoided. One was
placing an army on the island of Cuba
before our navy controlled the Cuban wa
ters; and the other was putting an army
on the island at time when a large num-
Der of the men must die from the diseases
that have prevailed in that country, ac-
cording 10 all statistics, for the last 100
years."
He pointed out in a letter to the Secre-
tary Of War these dangers, enclosing
communication from Surgeon General
Sternberg, and urged that the Spanish be
merely harrassed and damaged during the
rainy, unhealthy season, while the navy
was demonstrating its superiority, and the
volunteers were being equipped.
In this letter, which is attached, DR..
Guiteras is cited in support of the recon
meudation to delay the army movement
upon Cuba. In order that the volunteers
should be speedily made efficient on April
26, Gen. Miles wrote the Secretary of War
that they should be camped for sixty days
In their respective states before leaving
them and disciplined and equipped. and
their officers instructed; all important, ha
said to health and efficiency.
Gen. Miles said: "Congregating tens of
thousands of men, many of whom were
not uniformed, and scarcely any properly
equipped, in great camps away from their
states, rendered Ii difficult for them to be
properly supplied with food. cooking uten-
sils, camp equippage, blankets, tentage,
medical supplies, transportation, etc, and
was to a great extent the cause, in my
Judgment of the facilitating effect upon
the health and strength of the men, who
were otherwise in good physical condition.
The material necessary 10 clothe and equip
large armies was not even manufactured
at that time. and the consequent condition
of the troops for weeks and months was
injurious to the command In many ways"
Orders are referred to for the sending of
the regulars to New Orleans, Tampa and
Mobile to begin the invasion of Cuba: for
the gathering of troops ct Chickamauga
and for the movement of 10000 troops on
cuba, "but none of these movements on
Cuba materialized," he says.
1.-THE want of proper equipment and am
munition rendered the movement imprac-