The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-11-15
GEN. MILES MAKES HIS REPORT
THE STRENGTH AND DIsTRIBU-
TON OF THE ARMY.
Unusual Changes In Climate Expert
enced By the Troops-Provisions
For Extra Expense of the officers

Washington. Nov. f4.-The annual re-
port OF Major General Nelson A Miles.
commanding the army, was made public
at the war department today. 1t bears
date of Oct. IL, 1899. and is extremely brief
and formal in character. 1t announces the
Transmission to the secretary or war OF
the reports of the department and staff
commanders and makes a brief statement
of the strength and distribution OF the
army. including the muSler-out OF the
regiments most of which details have
already been published in the reports or
the adjutant general.
The report concludes with the following
general statement: The demand for
troops for foreign service has been I'M
usual and has been somewhat severe upon
them, especially those OF the regular army.
Within the last eighteen months several
regiments have been required TO leave
their stations in the extreme north, move
10 the islands of the West Indies, there
engage in campaign in summer, return 10
northern stations IN the autumn and Win
ter. and move again to tropical Islands in
the Pacific and engage in campaigns under
the most difficult circumstances.
Rarely in Il service have troops expert
enceG such unusual changes in climate as
those above indicated, YET under all cir
cumstanceS and al all times the utmost
loyalty, fortitude and faithful perform
ance OF duty have been manifested on the
part of the troops. In nearly all engage
meflts wnere the troops nave been brought
in contact with the enemy they have in
variably acted on the offensive. and in
not single instance have they suffered
defeat The intelligence, discipline and
fidelity of both officers and men have been
most commendable.
Owing to the additional and extraor-
binary 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 increase OF pay that
is now provided by law for the enlisted
men. 1t is also recommended that officers
or the army with a creaitab.e record who
served during the civil war, shall be
granted the same consideration concern
ing rank and pay as has been accorded
officers of the navy By section H. act ap-
proved March 3. 1889.
AS far as organization is concerned. the
army Is in transitory state Ii is be-
service required OF il up TO the time au-
thoriZed, viz, July l, 1901. IL is gratifying
TO note that the government has author
lied a military force which seems COM
mensurate with its requirements magni-
tude and instructions | have for years
in proportion to the population, viz. not
to exceed one soldier 10 every LOCO of the
population. and l believe that the estab-
lishment of such standard would be safe
and juGicious 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 il is hoped that in a short
time our coasts will be in a proper condi-
ton of defense.
Some very important discoveries have
been made in relation 10 ordnance, pro-
jectiles and high explosives, and after
thorough and exhaustive tests. appli-
ances have been adopted which will great
" increase the efficiency of our arma-
ment."