The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1901-10-29
MILES, ANNUAL REPORT
Total Strength and Distribution Of
l.,A.ss; the Army.
FAVORS ANTICANTEEN LAW
Objections to Usurpation of Author
ity by the STAR Departments.
Present rganixatiop of ArtiI-
Iery Opposed--Nev Schools.

Washington, Oct. %. - Lieutenant
General Miles in his annual report
gives the total strength of the army at
the present time as 84,513, of which
number 1854 are in the United States,
43,239 in the Philippines, 4,914 In Gu
ba, the remainder, in small detach-
ments, being in Porto Rico, Hawaii,
China and Alaska. He says 1t is ex-
pected 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 artil-
lery corps, saying that it establishes
another bureau in Washington. He
believes in the former regimental or
ganization. Speaking of the army can
teen, which is abolished by the army
reorganization law, he says that no
injury has resulted and in the main the
law has been beneficial.
Objections to Present Management.
General Miles states his objections
to the management of military affairs
in the war department In the following
language:
"While congress has made ample
provision for the management of mill
tary affairs In the organization of the
army whereby the companies, regi-
ments, brigades, divisions and depart
ments are made the units of adj
ministration, and by statutes has
clothed the officials not only with
executive authority, but with ju-
dicial powers and responsibility, vet
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 to other armies and is
one of the principal defects In our
own system. The evil has been increas-
ing during the activities of the wars
of the last three years to an extent
that In my judgment, requires serious
consideration, and | recommend that
decentralization be effected as far
as possible and that all proper and
lawful authority be restored to subor-
dinate commanders who are provided
with an efficient organization and who
can be safely intrusted with RESPONSE
bility for the efficient and faithful adj
ministration of military affairs COM
mensurate with their important com
mands."
Military School In California.
AS large portion of the army is sta
toned in the western part of the Unit
ed States. and over one-half west of
the Pacific ocean. General Miles rec
ommends the establishment of mill
tary school in southern California. He
also recommends the establishment of
a war college in the city of Washing
ton.
General Miles refers to number of
recommendations that he made in for
mer reports looking to the improve
meht Of the army, and also to orders
ne las issued during the year to ac-
complish this purpose. He speaks es-
pecially of the experience, intelligence
and efficiency of. the troops of the
United States and the success they
have had In China and the Philippines
and says they have borne the rigors or
the arctic climate in Alaska and the
heat of the tropics and under all cir
cumstances maintained the high char
acter OF the American army. He rec
ommends that the military posts
throughout the country be put in ex-
cellent shape for troops that are re-
turned from service beyond sea.