Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-13
MILES on HIS ARMY BILL.
schofield on War Department Fric-
tion-Cuba and the Philippines.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., December r.
Major-General Miles appeared to-day be-
fore the House Committee on Military
Affairs, for a hearing relative to the pro-
posed reorganization and increase of the
army. Two bills for this purpose are
pending-one drawn by General Miles AMI
introduced in the Senate as the Hawley
bill, and another introduced in the House
by Chairman Hull, of the Military Com
mittee. At the outset, General Miles ad-
dressed himself TO the general need or
increasing the army without reference
TO either bill. lie said he had always
favored the establishment OF a fixed
standard for the army. The experience
of the last year, he said, had demon
strated that our present military estab-
lishment was inadequate to maintain our
position as first-class Power. The
science of war had undergone complete
change since the days of our forefathers,
General Miles said. and now smokeless
powder long-range rifles, and machine
guns were the decisive elements. VITA
this changed condition. he believed one
soldier to 900 population would give an
army entirely adequate for every need;
IT would give an army of 62OJO according
to the last census, and one of about 1880
on the estimated population Of to-day.
In addition 20 this force, the use Of ma
tive troops would make an effective body
in the several colonies.
General Miles said we now have a
greater number of men abroad than any
other country, except perhaps, Great Bri-
tain.
IF we are TO keep the Phlippines-and
/ have no more idea that we will give up
Manila than that we Will give up Bunker
f,Ia inn a n
our history-then this native force will
largely augment our own troops there,
and / understand the natives are ready
to enter upon this service"
MILES'S BILL.
General Miles then turned his attention
10 the bill drawn by him. He had pre-
pared this, he said, simply in order TO
express his views in definite form. He
explained in detail the provisions as to
cavalry, artillery. infantry, and staff.
In response TO questions, General Miles
said that al least 1900 native troops and
1000 Of our troops were required 10 main
tain order in Porto Rico.
At least 1900 were required for western
posts EXPOSED to Indian uprisings
When asked how many troops were re-
uuired I'm Cuba, General Miles said that
as troops were moving there now he
would not go into details on that point
as IL might b. enormously construed as
comment on his superiors I'm office. He
expected that most OF the troops would
be OF for cuba within thirty days.
THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT.
"When will the Cuban Government be
organized?" asked Mr.. Sulzer DemocraD,
Of New York.
81 DO not know; that is a political ques-
ton" answered the General.
He went on TO say that probably 1000
men would be sufficient for Cuba In the
near future The officers in the Philippines
estimated that they would require 2100O
men. possibly more. Altogether, about
1000 were needed abroad and 5000 at
home.
when Cuba is independent. the 1000
can be withdrawn and the army re-
duced?" suggested Mr.. Sulzer
81 would wait until that time comes,
and then consider the question" answered
General Miles.
ANSWER TO MIR. HAY.
whatever is the status Of Cuba. II will
be necessary TO maintain a number Of SOL
diers there for "A number OF years" the
General answered Mr.. Hay. OF Virginia,
and said that there should be no delay
until the peace treaty was ratified. The
proper equipage Of the army was essen
tial as a proper safeguard, on which the
country could rely, whatever came.
SCHOF1ELD HEARD.
At the afternoon meeting.g General Scho-
field who succeeded General Miles. de-
voted his chief attention 10 the friction
Inevitably arising between the Secretary
OF War and the commanding general,
under the present system. Ine trouble
arose ont OF the system which gave the
head Of the army the name OF com
handing general. when In fact he had
little or no authority or even influence
as commanding general.
Concerning the size OF the army under
present conditions, General Schoheld said
he estimated need OF about 80, coo for the
philippines, 1900 10 % 900 for Cuba. 5000
10 5000 for Porto Rico. 1900 for manning
and caring for fortihcations, 10000 for the
lie ala not believe in Understanding
the seriousness OF our task in the Philip
pines, and the only thing to do was to