The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-11-20
MILES ASKS
AN INCREASE
In His Annual Report the Com.
handing General Wants
A SOLDIER FOR EVERY 1000
OF Population, In the Reorgsnized Army
Need of a Reserve Force Pointed
Out-Sescoast Fortihcations-
Chinese Campaign.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE feature CT
the annual report of Lieut.. Gen. Miles.
commanding the army, is chapter
dealing with the need for general re-
organization of the military service. In
regard to this question he says:
The events of the past two years and
a half have resulted in condition that
the. nation must prepare to meet. The
need for an efficient and well organized
land force for an indefinite period in
the future is most obvious, and the
organization of such a force cannot be
wisely avoided. There are weighty
reasons why such service as Is now
demanded Of the army cannot be per-
formed by temporary organization
Gen. Miles points out that the practi-
cal limitation of service of the volun-
teers to one year in the Philippines
makes this a most expensive practice.
necessitating double transfer Of troops,
and adding enormously to the cost of
the organization. He also points out
the need of a reserve force for the relief
of the soldiers who serve in the tropics,
declaring that the regiments that have
40 far served more than two years at
unhealthy stations should be relieved.
Gen. Miles renews his recommenda-
lion that the permanent force of the
army should be one man for each 1000
of population Of the United States. In
supplying any increase of the army he
urges that appointments of officers be
made with a due regard for the princi-
pie Of seniority, and that each case be
passed upon by a board of the highest
officers of the army. as was done in the
reorganization following the civil war.
He submits a draft of a bill embody-
ing his views and recommendations on
army reorganization.
The report shows that the urgent de-
mands for troops for remote stations
has reduced the number in the United
States to a much smaller force than has
been maintained at any time during
the past 80 years. In fact, says Gen.
Miles. the force has been so much re-
duced that at the present time there
are not one-fourth enough troops
properly to care for and man the FORTH.
cations which have been erected on tht
seacoast at an expenditure of nearly
| S55. 900, 600. In addition to the artillery
deficiency. the present home force Il
not sufficient to occupy the interior
garrisons properly. or to protect life and
property on the western frontier, ant
what is still more serious. the govern
| ment Is left without troops to reliev,
| those who have had too much tropica
service. The actual number of troop
remaining In the United States after tn,
dispatch of soldiers to Cuba, Porto Rico
Alaska and the Philippines is said I,
be 99s officers and 1888 enlisted men
Gen. Miles says that during the pas
two years the army has been engage,
n two hemispheres. under all condition
and hardships. and has on all occasion
exhibited courage. stability. excellen
craftsmanship and devotion to duty.
Touching upon the Chinese campaig
Gen. Miles compares the American con
tingent in the Peking expedition wit
those of other nationalities and says:
1T would be difficult to name any oc
casion OH which troops engaged In ac
lion were better commanded, were NOR
steady under fire, or where they mad
the soldiers sacrifice with more un
selfish patriotism or rendered highe
tribute to the honor Of their country"