Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-11-21
OUR ARMY.
Interesting Extracts from the Ann Oal
Report of Lieut.. Gen. Miles
The Coast Defenses.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE feature of the
annual report of Lieut.. Gen. Miles, COM
handing the army, is chapter dealing
with the need for a general reorganization
of the military service. In regard to this
question. he SAYS: 1.-THE events OF the
past two years and half have resulted IN
a condition that the nation must prepare
to meet. The need for an efficient and we'll
organized land force for an indefinite period
in the future is most obvious, and the or
ganization of such a force cannot be wise
~ avoided There are weighty reasons why
such a service as is now demanded OF the
army cannot be performed by temporary
organization.
Gen. Miles renews his recommendation
that the permanent force Of the army
should be one man for each thousand OF
population of the United States. He sub
mits draft of bill embodying his views
and recommendation on army reorganl-
cation.
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 reduced that at
the present time there are not one-fourth
enough troops properly to care for and
man the Notifications which have been
erected on the sea coast at an expenditure
of nearly S55 1000. In addition to the ar
tillery deficiency, the present home force
is not sufficient to occupY the interior garr1-
sons properly, or to protect life and prop
erty the western frontier, and what
is still more serious, the government Is lett
without troops to relieve those who have
had too much tropical service. The ac-
tual number of troops remaining in the
United States after the dispatch of SOL
ders to Cuba, Porto Rico, Alaska and the
Philippines is said to be 99S officers and 49,
S9S enlisted men
Gen Miles says that during the past two
years the army has been engaged in two
he mispheres, under all conditions and
hardships, and has on all occasions exhib-
tied courage, stability, excellent marks
nanship, and devotion to duty.
Touching upon the Chinese campaign,
Gen. Miles compares the American con-
tingent in the Picking expedition with
those of other nationalities, and says 1T
would be difficult to name any occasion
on which troops engaged in action were
better commanded, were more steady under
fire, or where they made the soldiers sac
rifice with more unselfish patriotism. or
rendered a higher tribute to the honor Of
their country.
Gen. Miles calls attention to the fact
that under the law the volunteers in the
Philippines must be withdrawn and dis
charged before July 1 next, wherefore, re
says, it will be necessary to begin their re-
turn home almost Immediately.
On the extension of the coast defense
system, Gen. Miles says that in this grea t
work $50, coo, 900 have been expended already,
and at least S45, 600 900 will be required 10
carry out the present project For the
next fiscal year the sum of 81, S27, 900 is es-
timated as necessary to defray the cost Of
Notifications, barracks, and sites on the
coasts. The largest figure is 81, 724, 4S5 for
New York; next comes California, with
81, All, 1876; Maine, S1,2S5, 925; Oregon and
aShi rp md oipia
Porto Rico is assigned 1892, 400, while the
national capital is set down for $50. 900.