The Portland daily press., 1899-11-15
GEN. MILES'S REPORT.
70 is an Extremely Brief and Formal
y. = Document.

washir gton, November 14-The annu-
81 report Of Major General Nelson A.
Miles, commanding the army, was made
public at the war department today. IL
bears date October II, 1899, and is ex-
tremely brief aud formal In character IL
announces the transmission 10 the secre-
tary Of war OF the reports Of the depart
ment and staff commanders md makes
a brief statement of the strength and
distri bution Of the army. including the
muster out OF the volunteer regiments,
most Of the details OF which have al.
ready been published in the reports Of the
adjutant general Tn, report concludes
with the following general statement;
eThe demand for Troops for foreign
service has been unusual and somewhat
severe upon them. especially those OF the
regular army. Within the last Is months
several regiments have been required 10
leave their stations In the extreme
north, move to the island Of the West
Indies to engage In campaign In sum :
mer return to northern stations In the
autumn and winter and move again
to tropical islands In the Pacific and en-
gagged In campaigns under the most diff
cult circumstances. Rarely In any SER
vice have troops expei fenced such I'M
usual changes In climate as those above
indicated, yet all circumstances and 81
all times the utmost loyalty, fortitude
aud faithful performance Of duty have
been manifested on the part OF the troops.
In nearly all engagements where th
troops have been brought into contract
with the enemy, they have Invariably
acted on the offensive. and In not single
instance have to suffered from the
heat. The intelligence. discipline and
fidelity Of both officers and men have
been most commendable.
lowing to the additional and extraor'
binary expense placed upon officers while
serving In the Philippines islands, Cuta'
Porto Rico and the Hawaiian islam DIS,
1t is recommended that they be allowed
the same percentage OF the increase OF
pay that Is now provided by law for
the enlisted men.
sit IL also recommended that officers
of the army with crsditsble record,
who ssrysi during the Cfyp war, shall
bs granted the same consideration con-
,srning rank and pay rs has been accord
gr.mrs of the navy By section Ill. act
- March 2. 1899.
-" as1sssAnization Is concerned,
- az Is In transition state. 1t Ii
believed that the force will be ample fol
the scrFlce required Of 1t up to the time
aathle ssd, VIZ: July l, 1901. 1t II
arstify ng to note that the govern men
has 90 thorizsd = military force which
seem. commsnsurass with its req uire
ments, magnitude and Institutions.
have for years recommended the adoption
OF a standard In proportion tolths popu-
latlon, viz: not 10 exceed one soldier Il
every one thousand OF the population.
nd l believe that the establishment
Of such o standard would be safe ant
judicious in every respect.
During the past few years rapi {
progress has been made In the equipm ent
Of the Atlantic. Pacific and Cult coasts
with modern defenses and II the genera
plan IL carried out, 1t Is hoped that In a
short tins our coasts will be In prope
condition of defense.
"Soms very important discoveries have
been made in relation to ordnance, pro
jsctiles and nigh explosives, and aftel
careful, thorough and exhaustive tests ap
pliancss have BEEN adopted which will
greatly increase the efficiency of our ar
/ mamsnt