The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-28
Gen. Miles Uph0lds Law Abolish
ing the Army Saloon
In His Annual Report to the
War Department.
MILITARY SCHOOL.
Is Recommended For Establish
ment in Southern California
And a War College at the Ma
tiOnal Capital.

Washington, Oct. 2S.-Leut Gen.
Miles, in his annual report gives the
total strength of the army at the pres
ent time as S4.513. of which number 49,
874 are in the United States; 1929 in
the Philippines, 4914 in Cuba, the re-
mainder 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 reduced.
General Miles does not approve of the
present organization of the artillery
corps, saying that ii 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-
fetal.
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, bril-
gades, divisions and departments are
made the units of administration and
by statute has clothed the officials not
only with executive 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 washing
ton and especially in the staff depart
ments. This has been found most in
furious in other armies and is one of the
principal defects in our 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 consideration and / recommend
that decentralizati ton be effected as Tar
as possible and that all proper and law
full 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 a large portion of the army Is sta
toned in the western part of the United
States and over one half west of the
Pacific ocean, General Miles recon-
mends the establishment of a military
school in southern California. He also
recommends the establishment of a war
college in the city of Washington.
General Miles refers to number of
recommended that he made in for
rner reports locking to the Improvement
of the condition of the army also to Or
ders he has 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 tn 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 character of the
American army. He recommends that
the military posts throughout the coun-
try be put in excellent shape for troops
that are returned from service beyond