The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-11-07
REPORT OF GEN. MILES
HIGH PRAISE FOR ARMY FROM
RANKING GENERAL.
Says Personnel of the Service Was
Never in, Better Condition.
i Compliments Baldwin for
Work Against Moros.

Washington Nov. 1.-THE annual report
of Lieutenant-General Miles, command
ing the army, is brief review of the re-
ports that have been submitted to him
by other officers. He indorses the
recommendation of General Brooks for a
readjustment of the geographical limits
of the different departments with view
of equalizing conditions General Miles
calls attention to the necessity of quar-
tiers for troops, saying that while hun
dreds of thousands of dollars are being
spent for quarters for cavalry. very lit
tie is being used to afford shelter for ar
tillery, which is exposed to severe eli
mates along the coast.
These troops" says General Miles. "are
required to be located adjacent to the
Notifications notwithstanding the expos
ed positions of many of them, and l see
no reason why buildings should not be
properly constructed in time to be occu-
pied, when it is known for years exactly
where and when they will be required. l
also call attention to the incomplete con-
dition of the Notifications, especially on
the Pacific coast where millions have
been expended in engineering and ord
nance work, and yet the commands have
not been properly supplied with ammuni-
ton, electrical plants and other appli-
ances essential to the effective use OF
these Notifications in actual warfare"
General Miles says:
During the past year there have been
no serious engagements. except that OF
the troops under Gen. F. D. Baldwin, In
Mindanao, p. l., with the Moros. For the
number of men engaged this was very
spirited and desperate engagement. Our
forces were commanded by one OF the
most experienced and efficient officers of
knc Iuuo
of the highest order, and his achievement.
together with that of the troops. in this
engagement, made another chapter OF
fortitude, tenacity and heroic sacrifice
in the history of American arms.
THE condition of the Indians is quite
satisfactory and there has been no
disturbances of Importance among them
during the last twelve months. tThis is
accounted for principally by three rea-
sons:
"First-Just and humane treatment Of
the Indian and the judicious management
of their affairs.
"Second-Their gradual transition from
a condition of barbarism to that of
mi-civilized people.
"Third-The close proximity of the mill
tary garrisons, which are always avail
able in case of threatened disturbances.
1.-THE experience during the great civil
war and years of campaigning along our
Western frontier, afforded the best schools
of practice for our army in former years.
The attention given to calisthenics, gym
nastic and military exercises made our
small army a corps of athletes; while
the elementary school established for en-
listed men, the post libraries, the post
lyceums and offices, schools, the various
schools of instruction and practice for
officers as we'll as the military academy.
produced an army Of such excellence that
/ was able in my annual report for 1896
to state: The prsonnel of the army was
never in better condition.
This was proven to be true by the for
tltrde, skill and heroism displayed in