The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-29
He Says Ii Is Trying To Usurp the
Entire Conduct Of the Mill
tary Establishment.
DANGER IN GENERALIZATION
AN EVIL WHICH HE BELIEVES DE-
HANDS CONSIDERATION.
Abolition of the Canteen, the General
Asserts, Has Resulted i'm No In
jury to the Service.

WASHINGTON, Oct IS. - Lieutenant
General Miles. in his annual report, gives
the total strength of the army at the
present time at Sl,513, of which number 49,
S7i are in the United States, 1929 in the
Philippines, All in Cuba, the remainder,
in small detachments, being in Porto Rico,
Hawaii, China and Alaska. He says it is
expected that the force in the Philippines
also can be reduced.
General Miles does not approve of the
present organization of the artillery corps,
saying 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 no inju-
ry has resulted, 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 provis-
ion for the management OF military affairs
in the organization of the army, whereby
the companies, regiments, brigades divis-
ions and departments are made the units
of administration, and by statute has
clothed the officials not only with execu-
tive authority, but with judicial powers
and responsibility yet the tendency has
been to absorb and usurp 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 or the wars OF the last three
years to an extent that, in my judgment,
requires serious consideration, and rec
ommend that decentralization be effected as
far as possible, and that all proper and
lawful authority be restored to subordinate
commanders who are provided with an
efficient organization and who can be safe
ly entrusted with responsibility for the ell
cient and faithful administration of mill
tary affairs commensurate with their i'm
portant commands.
As a large portion of the army is sta
toned in the western part of the West,
and over one-half west OF the Pacific ocean,
General Miles recommends the establish
ment of military school in southern Cal
ifornia. He also recommends the establish
ment of a war college in the city of Wash
ington.
General Miles refers to a number of rec
concentrations that he made in former re-
ports looking to the Improvement 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, intelligence and efficiency of
success they have had in China and the
Philippines 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 char
acter of the American army. He recon-
mends that the military posts throughout
the entire country be put in excellent shape
for troops that are returned from services
beyond the sea.