Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-10
GEN. MILES REPORTS,
He Makes Formal Call on The
C0nnander-in-Chief
He ALSO VISITS WAR DEPARTMENT,
Talks With bSSiStant-SeCretary Meikle-
John About Porto Rico Campaign.
Ius VIEWS ON ARMY MATTERS.
His Plans for Reorgn nnization and
Enlargement OF the Army--About
Ono Soldier to Every Thousand |
People He Thinks
IT'S VIEWS ON ARMY MATTERS.
His Plans for Reorganization and
People He Thinks

WASHINGTON, September 9.-GeneraI
Miles. accompanied by Colonel Michler.
OF b.s staff. called at the white House
shortly before the Cabinet meeting to-
day. The General wore fatigue uniform,
showing the two-starred epaulettes Of a
j0r-general. At the time Of his arrival
tle President was comforting with Justice
Harlan Senator Allison, and other CALI
Is General Miles and colonel Michler
vara shown into the Cabinet ante-room.
and there the President joined them, ex-
cIerg himself from the other callers.
The meeting between the President and
tae commanding general was compare
lively brief. lasting about five minutes,
o. the Cabinet meeting was about to be-
SIN. 10 was not fin the nature Of con-
ference during which questions relating
o. the war were discussed but was that
formal call Of respect usual on the return
Of a. high official The conference for
more extended discussion of war affairs
doubtless will come later, although it
was said after the call that no exact time /
hai been fixed for further meeting.
General Miles had nothing to say be- |
fore or after The call. He was greeted |
with a round of applause as he left the |
White House, pushing his way through |
The dense crowd awaiting the review Of |
returning District Of Columbia troops.
AT WAR DEPARTMENT.
General Miles came to the War Depart
meHt at 10 o'clock to-day and after
spending a short time in his room at
army headquarters, went to the office OF
inc Secretary Of War Acting Secretary |
MclldeJohn was az the desk of Secretary
A-ger. and was talking with Governor At
lauson. of Georgia, and Adjutut- General
Corbin. when General Miles entered. The
last-named was accompanied by a men,
Der of his STAFF
After tho gentlemen had shaken hands.
aud the business with the Governor was
transacted. Mr.. Mciklcjohn and General
Niles cLatted for some time on general
topics OF the campaign i'm Porto Rico and
the return trip of the commandinu gene
raj
ARMY REORGANIZATION.
Speaking of the future Of the ermv.
General Miles said that there We're "a
number OF matters which required care
fol and deliberate consideration with re.
apcct to the army organization, and that
undoubtedly steps I'm that direction would !
De taken as soon as practicable The |
matter of mastering out the yoluntea.
eneral officers, 10 correspond with the
general reduction OF the army by mus
-.ring out, ne said, would have TO be
tken up at an early date, and that un- {
-ICbtcdly would cause a rearrangement Z
%. ne department commands.
With respect TO the reorganization of !
Ao army, General Miles said that The :
Nperience of this war had very clearly | i
demonstrated what military authorities t
sen understood before, that the estab- h
.shment OF a standard was necessary to I
De entire efficiency Of the army. lie q
aid 10 was his int6ntiOn To recommend ! :,
Plan of reorganization 10 Congress, .
md that he believed the necessity Tor il s
would be recognized by the public ana 9
y Congress. c
LARGER ARMY NEEDED. =
The acquisition of territory obviously ST
lade It necessary that there should be "
larger army. and the experience Of the Il
ar had demonstrated the necessity Of ! j
t3blishiug a standard and having the
-oops thoroughly trained to the military
'rUce. Ii was desirable he said. that
be- army should be organized on the
sis Of one soldier 90 every certain num- M
ar % Inhabitants. II was recognized al
military authorities even before tha y,
lose of the war between the States Thar "a
.e establishment Of a standard was de- hi
.able but from time TO time the army IN
.4 been REDUCED until II had reached a ST
mber dispropOrtiOnateiy small TO the pi
fa of the country and its population. a.,
, thought that one soldier 20 every one ~
0usaud OF population would probably a
found 20 be about the right ratio for ar
standard and that the army. this til
-aoard being adopted. would increase
.1rJing 20 the recognized needs Of the
v8mment In an exact ratio to the in
So Of population