Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-11-17
A new EXPLOSIVE
ARTILLERY BOARD HAS A NEW
DESTROYER.
MOTOR CARS FOR THE ARMY.
General Miles Review Of Army Situa-
tion-Money and Men for
F~ortifications.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE feature Of
the annual report of Lieut., Gen. Miles,
commanding the army, Is q chapter
dealing with the need for a general re-
organization of the military service.
Gen. Miles points out that the iprac-
teal 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 re-
lief of the soldiers who serve in the
tropics. declaring that the regiments
that have so far served more than two
! yc7~s at unhealthy stations should be
relieved.
Gen. Miles renews his recommended
ton tht the permanent force of the
army should be one man for each 1000
of the population of the United States.
In supply an increase of the army he
urges that appointments of officers be
made with a due regard for the prin-
ciple of seniority, and that each case be
passed upon by a board selected for
the He submits a draft of a
bill embodying his views and recon-
mendations of army reorganization.
The report shows that the urgent de-
mand 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 thirty-nine years. In fact, says
Gen. Miles, the force has been so much
reduced that at the present time there
are not one-fourth enough troops to
rs ,rerly' care for and man the fortif-
cations which have been erected on the
seacoast at an expenditure of nearly
S5o. 00o, 600. In regard to the artillery
defense, the present home force is not
sufficient to man the interior garrisons
properly or protect life and property on
the western frontier and what is still
more serious, the government is left
without troops to relieve those who
have had too much tropical service.
The actual number of troops remaining
in the United States after the dispatch
of soldiers to Cuba, Porto Rico, the
Philippines and Alaska is said to be 9SS
officers and 1889 enlisted men. Gen.
Miles says hat during the past two
years the army has been engaged in the
two hemispheres under all conditions
and has on all occasions exhibited cour-
age. stability, excellent craftsmanship
and devotion to duty.
Touching upon the Chinese campaign,
Gen. Miles compares the American con-
tingent in the Pekin expeditin favorably
with those of other n~ationalities. Gen,
Miles mentions the gallantry OF Col. ELS
Liscum, Capt. Reilly. killed in China
of Major Jesse M. Lee. ~
Gen. Miles calls attention to the fact
that under the law the volunteers in the
Philippines must be withdrawn and dis
charged before July / next, wherefore, he
says, it will be necessary to begin theil
return home almost Immediately.
The report shows what has been ac.
complished in the training schools ant
toward the extension of the coast de-
Tense system. On this last great worl
Gen Miles says, $55 900 GOO has been ex
pended already, and at least $45, 600. OO'
will be required to carry out present pro
jects. For the next fiscal year alone tn
sum of $11. S27, 900 is estimated as neces
sary to defray the cost of Notifications
barracks and sites on the coast.
The largest figure is 50, 724, 4S5 for New
York; next comes California, with 81,
Ali, 796; Maine, 81, 2s5, 925; Oregon an
Washington, s1,1o6, 6o2; and Virginia
$685., $50.
To Porto Rico is assigned 1894, 900. Will
the national capital is set down fo
$4,000. or
Gen. Miles claims that the fortified
tions board has developed a high, e1plos
i've. superior in effectiveness to all, know
military explosives. 1t can be used i
any SERVED projectile; can be thrown an
distance within the capacity of a high
power gun through steel armor plate an
exploded with most destructive effec
Important action has also been taken b
the same board in the development
artillery, and it is predicted that With
the next u months further advances wi