The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-10
GEN. MILES AT THE CAPITOL.
HE MAKES A FORMAL, BUT BRIEF,
CALL UPON THE PRESIDENT.

No Questions Relating to the War
Was Discussed, and No Definite
Time Arranged for Their Discuss
siOn-The General Calls at the War
Department and Chats with Act
ing Secretary MefkIeIohn--Reor-
ganizRtiOn of the Army, Gen. Miles
Thinks, Should He Made Propor-
tionnteIy with the Population of
the COuntry-One Soldier to Every
Thousand Population.
Washington, Sept. 9-Gen. Miles. ac-
companied by Col Michler of his stan,
called at the White House this morning
before the cabinet meeting to-day. The
general wore a fatigue uniform, showing
the two starred epauIettes of major gem
eral.
At the time of his arrival the President
was comforting with Justice Harlan, Sem
ator Allison and other callers.
Gen. Miles and Col. Michler were shown
into the cabinet ante-room. and there the
President Joined them, excuslng himself
from the other callers. The meeting be-
tween the President and commanding gem
eral was comparatively brief. lasting
about five minutes, as the cabinet meeting
was about to begin.
IL was not In the nature of a conference,
during which questions relating to 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, doubt
less. will come later, although 1t was said
after the call that no exact time has been
fixed for a further meeting.
Gen. Miles had nothing TO say after the
cAH. fie was greeted with a round Of APP
plause as he left the White House, push
ing his way through the dense crowd
awaiting the review OF returning District
of Columbia troops.
Gen. Miles came to the war department.
at 10 O'Clock to-day, and after spending
short time in his room at army headquar-
ters went to the Office OF the Secretary
of War
Acting Secretary Meklejohn was at the
desk of Secretary Alger, and was talking
with Gov. Atkinson of Georgia and Adjt.
Gen. Corbin when Gen. Miles entered. The
latter was accompanied by a member OF
MS staff. After the gentlemen had shook
hands and the business with the Governor
was transacted, Mr.. Meiklejohn and Gen.
Miles chatted for some time on general
topics of the campaign OF Porto Rico and
return trip OF the commanding general.
Speaking of the future of the army,
Gen. Miles said that there was a number
of matters which required careful and de-
liherate consideration with respect 10 the
nd fa1l
steps IN that direction would be taken as
soon as practicable.
The matter of mastering out the voiun-
teer general officers, to correspond with
the general reduction of the army by mus
tering out, he said, would have to be
taken up at an early date, and that un-
doubtedly would cause a re-arrangement
of the department commanders.
With respect to the reorganization OF the
army Gen Miles said the experience of
this war had very clearly demonstrated
what military authorities well understood
before, that the establishment of a stand
ard was necessary to the entire efficiency
of the army He said It was his inten-
ton TO recommend a plan of reorganiza-
ton to Congress, and that he believed the
necessity for II would be recognized by
the public and by Congress.
The acquisition OF territory obviously
made It necessary that there should be a
large army and the experience of the war
had demonstrated the necessity of estab-
lishhng standard and having the troops
thoroughly trained to the military service.
1t was desirable, he said, that the army
should be organized on the basis of one
soldier to every certain number of In
habtants 1t was recognized by military
authorities even before the close of the
civil war that the establishment of a
standard was desirable, but from time to
time the army had been reduced until Ii
reached number dlsproportionately
small to the size of the country and its
population.
He thought that one soldier to every
one thousand population would be found
TO be about the right ratio for a standard,
and that the army, this standard being
adopted would increase according to the
reorganzed needs of the government In
an exact ratio 10 the increase of the pop
ula ation.