The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-10-29
Gen. NILES REPORT
PRESENT STRENGTH OF THE
UNITED STATES ARMY IS
GIVEN AS S4,5I3
OPPOSED IL ARMy CANTEEN
The Head of the Army Is Also OPP
posed to Bureaucratic Govern
ment of the Army From
Washington.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 2S.-Lieut. Gen.
Miles in his annual report gives the total
strength of the army at the present time
as S4,5l9, of which number 1854 are in
the United States; 1929 in the Philip
pines; 4914 in Cuba, the remainder, in
small detachments, being in Porto Rico,
Hawaii, China and Alaska. He says it
is expected that the force in Cuba will
be very much reduced and hopes that the
force in the Philippines also can be re-
ducd.
On. Miles does not approve of the pres
ent organization of the army corps, say
ing that it establishes another bureau in
Washington. He believes in the former
regimental organization.
Speaking of the army canteen which is
abolished by the army reorganization
law, he says that no injury has resulted
and in the main the law has been bene-
1icial
Gen. Miles states his objection to the
management of military affairs in the
war department in the following terms:
Congress has made ample provisions
for the management of military affairs
in the organization of the army. whereby
the companies, regiments, brlgadeS, 81
visions and corps are MADE the UNITS
of administration, and by statute has
clGtnedathe officials not only with eXecu-
tive authority, but with. judicial powers
and responsibility, vet the tendency has
Deen TO ABSORB ana uSuTp the enIlre coti-
duct 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 in
Creasing during the activities of the wars
OF the last three years to an extent that,
in my Judgment. requires serious con-
Sideration, and l recommend that de-
Capitalization be effected as far as posi-
BILE and that all proper and lawful au-
thority be restored to subordinate COM
mapders, who are provided with an ef1-
cient organization, and who can be safely
intrusted with responsibility for the Ell
ficient and faithful administration of mil
jtary affairs commensurate with their
Importance"
\ large portion of the army is stationed
in the western part of the United States
and over one-half west of the Pacific
ocean Gen. Miles recommends the es-
Enlistment of a military school IN
Southern California. He also recon-
mends the establishment of war col
lege in the city of Washington.
Gen. Miles refrs to a number of recon-
mendations that he made in former re-
ports, looking to the improvement of the
condition of the army; also to orders he
had issued during the year to accomplish
this purpose He speaks especially of the
experience intelligence and efficiency of
the troops of the United States and the
success they have had in China and the
Philippine islands and says they have
borne the rigors of the Arctic climate IN
Alaska. and the heat of the tropics and
under all circumstances maintained the
high character of the American army.
He recommends that the military posts
throughout the country be put in excel
lent shape for troops that are returning
from service beyond the sea.