Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-11-17
GENERAL MILES REPORT.
He Urges a General Reorganization Of The
Governments Military Service.
Volunteer Method Expensive Army
should be One Soldier 20 Each
One Thousand OF Population,

Washington. Nov. 1.-THE feature OF
the annual report Of LIeut.Gen. Miles,
commanding the army, is a chapter
dealing with the need for a general re-
organization Of the military service.
Gen Miles points out that the prac-
teal limitation Of service Of the vol
unteers to one year In the Philippines
makes this a most expensive practice,
necessltating 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 years al unhealthy stations
should be relieved. General Miles re-
news his recommendation that the per-
manent 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 APP
pOintments Of officers be made with a
due regard for the principles Of senior
fly and that each case be passed upon
by board Of the highest officers Of the
army, as was done in the reorganiza-
ton following the civil war. He sub
mits a draft Of a bill embodying his
Views and recommendations Of army
reorganization.
The report shows that the urgent de-
mand for troops for remote stations
haa raAngaA h. hav In. he I1pFfa1
States 10 a much smaller force than
has been maintained at any time dur
ing the past thirty-nine years. In fact,
says Gen. Miles. the force has been so
much reduced that at the present time
there Is not one-fourth enough troops
properly 10 care for and man the fortl-
ficatlons which have been erected on
the sea coast at an expenditure OF near
~ SIS, 100000 In addition to the artil-
lery deficiency. the present home force
Is not sufficient 20 occupy the interior
garrisOns properly or 70 protect lie
and property on the western frontier
and what is still more serious, the gov
eminent Is without troops 10 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, Alaska and the Philippines is
said to be 99S officers and 1885 enlisted
men. Gen. Miles says that during the
past two years the army has been en-
gagged I'm the two hetnispheres under
all conditions and has on all occasions
exhibited courage, stability, excellent
Workmanship and devotion 10 duty.
Touching upon the Chinese campaign
Gen. Miles compares the American con-
tingent in the Pekin expedition fayora-
bly, with those Of other nationalities.
Gen. Miles mentions the gallantry OF
Col Il S Liscum. and Captain Reilly,
killed in China and of Major Jesse vi.
Lee.
Gen. Miles calls attention 20 the fact
that under the law the volunteers In
the Philippines must be withdrawn
and discharged before July LIST, next,
wherefore, he says. It will be neces-
sary 70 begin their return home almost
Immediately
The report shows what has been ac-
compllshed In the training schools and
toward the extension OF the coast de-
Tense system. on this last great work
Gen. Miles says $55 0O0 900 has been ex-
pended already and at least {45 900 900
will be required 70 carry out the pres
ent project. For the next fiscal year
alone the sum OF 81, S27 900 is estimated
as necessary TO defray the cost OF forti-
fications. barracks and sites on the
coasts.
The largest figure Is S2.724,4S5 for
New York; next comes California. with
S,4i7. 1885, Maine Sl2S5. 92j, oregon and
Washington sl,lO6,G COZ and Virginia
$685. $50. To Porto Rico is assigned
$685.. 400, while the national capital Is set
down for $4,000.
Gen Miles claims that the fortlflca-
lions board has developed a high ex-
plosve. superior IN effectiveness TO all
known military explosives, II can be
used In any service projectile can be
thrown any distance within the ca
pacity OF any high power gun through
steel armor plate and exploded with
most destructive effect. Important ac-
ton has also been taken by the same
board in the development OF artillery,
and il is predicted that within the
next twelve months. further advances
will be made. Artillery service has now
become an Intricate science. and the
pay OF enlisted men. he says. should be
Increased proportionately.
Gen. Miles does not think Il wise 10
longer delay the practical application
OF self-movlng vehicles to the military
service,