The Indianapolis journal., 1899-11-15
GEN. MILEs.S REPORT.
Praise for Soldiers Serving Under Cli-
matte Conditions.

WASHINGTON, Nov 1.-THE annual re-
port of Maj. Gen. Nelson A Miles, COM
manding the army, was made public at the
War Department to-day. 1t bears date Oct.
IL, and is extremely brief and formal in
character 1t announces the transmission to
the secretary of war of the reports of the
department and makes brief statement of
the strength and distribution of the army,
including the muster out of the volunteer
regiments, most of the details of which
have already been published in the reports
of the adjutant general.
The report concludes with the following
general statement: The demand for troops
for foreign service has been unusual and
has been somewhat severe upon them,
pecially those of the regular 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 cam
paigns in summer, return to northern sta
tions in the autumn and winter and move
again to tropical islands in the Pacific and
engage in campaigns under the most diff
cult circumstances. Rarely In a service
have troops experienced such unusual
changes in climate those above indi-
Gated yet, under all circumstances and at
all times, the utmost loyalty, fortitude 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 invaSiably acted on the
offensive, and in rot single instance have
they suffered defeat. The intelligence, dis
cipline and fidelity of both officers and men
have been most commendable.
Owing to the additional and extraordi-
nary 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 or pay
that is now provided by law for the en-
listed men. 1t is also recommended that
officers Of the army with a creditable rec
ord, who served during the civil war, snail
be granted the same consideration concern
ing rank and pay has been accorded offi-
GERS OF the navy by Section IL, act approved
March 3, 1899.
LAS far as organization is concerned the
army is at a transition state: 1t is be-
leved the force will be ample for the serv-
lied, namely. July 1, 1901. 1t is gratifying
to note that the government has author
lied a military force which seems commen-
surate with its requirements, magnitude
commended the adoption of a standard in
proportion to the population. namely, not
to exceed one soldier to every LOO OF the
population and i believe that the estab-
lishment of such a standard would be safe
and judicious in every respect
During the past few years rapid prog
ress has been made in the equipment of
the Atlantic Pacific and gulf coasts with
modern defenses, and If the general plan
is carried out 1t is hoped that in short
time our coasts will be in a proper condi-
tion of defense.
sSome very important discoveries have
been made in relation to ordnance, projec-
tiles and high explosives, and after careful,
thorough and exhaustive tests appliances
have been adopted which will greatly. in
crease the efficiency of our armament.