Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-10-29
THE ARMY AND
THE MARINE CORPS
BROUGHT To PUBLIC ATTENTION
IN THE USUAL ANNUAL
REPORTS.
GEN. MILES HAS MUCH TO SAY.
HE THINKS THE CANrEEN LAW
mas BEEN BENEFICIAL.
He Objects To the management of the
Army by the War department. and
Thinks There should he n Policy
Of observation-disclosures ne ends
Military school In Southern
California.

WASHINGTON. October 2s.--fieu-
tenant-General Mics in his annual re-
port gives the total strength of the
army at the present time as s4,51s, OF
which number 1854 are In the United
States; 1929 in the Philippines; 1914
in Cuba, the remainder. in small de-
tachments, being in Porto Rico. Hawaii,
China and Alaska. He says II is ex-
pected that the force in Cuba will be
very much reduced. and hopes that the
force in the Philippines also can be re-
duced.
General Miles does not approve of the
present organization of the artillery
corps, saying that It establishes another
bureau in Washington. lie believes in
the former reglmental organization,
Speaking of the army canteen (Which
Is abolished by the army reorganization
law, he says that no injury has re-
suited. and in the main the law has been
beneficial.
General Miles states his objections to
the management OF military affairs In
the War Department in the following
language:
While Congress has made ample pro-
vision for the management OF military
affairs in the organization of the army,
whereby the companies. regiments,
5rgades, divisions. and departments
are made the units of administration,
and oy statute has clothed the officials
not only with executive authority but
with judicial powers and responsibility,
yet the tendency has been to absorb
and usufp the entire conduct OF the
military establishment In the city Of
Washington, and especially In the staff
| departments. This has been found most
| Injurious in other armies, and Is one
of the principal defects in our own
system. The EVIL has been increasing
during the activities of the wars OF the
last three years to an extent that, IN
my judgment, requires serious consld-
Grafton, and ] recommend that deem
traIization be effected as far as pos
sible. and that all proper and lawful
authority be restored to subordinate
commanders who are provided with an
efficient organization and who can be
safely intrusted with responsibility for
the efficient and faithful administration
of military affairs commensurate with
their important commands.
AS large portion of the army is
stationed in the western part OF the
United States, and over one-half west
OF the Pacific ocean, General Miles
recommends the establishment OF
military school in southern California.
He also recommends the establishment
of war college In the city of Washing
ton.
General Miles refers to number OF
recommendations that he made In Tor
mer reports looking to the improve
ment of the condition of the army; also
to orders he has issued during the
year to accomplish this purpose. He
speaks especially of the experience, in
telligence and efficiency OF the troops
of the United States and the success
they have had in China and the Phil
ippines, and says they have borne the
rieors of the Arctic cline in Alaska,
and the heat of the tropics. and under
all circumstances maintained the high
character of the American army. he
recommends that the army posts
throughout the country be put In ex-
cellent shape for troops that are re-
turned from service beyond sea.