The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-11-15
AMERICAN TROOPS
PRAISED BY MILES
Report of the Com and
ing General.
Special Dispatch TO The Call.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE annual
report of Major General Nelson A. Miles,
commanding the army, was made public
at the War Department to-day. It bears
the date of October II, 1899, and is ex-
tremely brief and formal in character 1t
announces the transmission to the Secre-
tary OF w ar OF the reports OF the depart
ment and staff commanders. and makes
a brief statement of the strength and dis
tribution OF the army, including the mus
ter-Out of the regiments, most of which
details have already been published in
the report of the adjutant general
The report concludes with the follow
ing general statement:
The demand for troops for foreign service
has been unusual and has been somewhat
severe upon them. especially those of the regu-
lar army. Within the last eighteen months
several regiments have been required to leave
their stations in the extreme North move to
the Islands of the West Indies there engage
in a campaign in summer, return TO northern
stations in the autumn and winter and move
again to tropical islands in the Pacific and
engage in campaigns under the most difficult
circumstances. Rarely in service have troops
experienced such unusual changes in climate
as those above indicated yet under all cir
cunstances and at all times the utmost 10y
atty, fortftude and faithful performance of duty
have been manifested on the part of the troops
In nearly all engagements where the troops
have been brought into contact with the enemy
they have invariably acted on the offensive
and not in a single instance have they suf-
fered defeat The intelligence discinIina and
most COmmendable.
Owing to the additional and extraordinary
expense placed upon officers while serving in
the Philippine Islands, Cuba. Porto Rico and
the Hawaiian Islands it is recommended that
they be allowed the same percentage of the
increase of pay that Is now provided by law
for the enlisted men,
It is also recommended that officers of the
army with a credtable record, who served
during the Civil War shall be granted the
same consideration concerning rank and pay
as has been accorded officers OF the navy by
section H. act approved March g. 1899
As far as organization is concerned the army
is in transition state 1t is believed that
the force will be ample for the service required
of IL up to the time authorized viz: July
1901 II is gratifying to note that the Govern
ment has authorized a military force which
seems commensurate with its requirements
magnitude and instructions. l have for years
recommended the adoption of a standard in
proportion 10 the population viz; not TO ex-
coed one soldier to every 1000 OF the popula-
tion-and I believe that the establishment OF
such standard would be safe and judicous in
every respect.
During the past few years rapid progress
has been made in the equipment Of the Allan
tic Pacific and gulf coasts with modern de-
fenses and If the general plan is carried out
il is hoped that in q short time our coasts will
be in a proper condition of defense.
Some very important discoveries have been
made in relation to ordnance projectiles and
high explosives and after careful thorough
and exhaustive tests appliances have been
adopted which Will greatly increase the eff
cheney Of our armament