Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-07
LIEUT.. GEN. MILES
Renders Annual Report on Con-
s'7 dition Of the Army.
Better Quarters for Infantry Needed.
Good Work in Philippines.
efficiency of the Army Is Of a High
Standard.

Washington. Nov 1.-THE annual re-
mort Of Lieut. Gen. Miles, commanding
The army, is a brief review of the re-
norris that have been submitted to him
nv other officers. He endorses the
recommendation of Gen. Brooke for
ra-adiustment Of the geographical
limits Of the different departments
with n view Of eQualiZing conditions
Cen. Miles calls attention to the neces-
sitv of quarters for troops, saying that
while hundreds of thousands of dollars
are being spent for quarters for cav
airy. very little is being used to afford
sbelter for artillery. which is exposed
70 severe climates along the coasts.
These troops" says General Miles,
"are required to be located adjacent to
the Notifications, Notwithstanding the
sxnosed position Of many of them. and
500 no reason why buildings should
not be properly constructed in time to
no occupied. when It is known for years
.xactly where and when they will be
required. | also call attention to the
incomplete condition of the fortifica-
tions. especially on the Pacific coast,
where millions have been expended in
engineering and ordnance work and
vet the commands have not been prop
4rly supplied with ammunition. cleo
trical PLANTS and other appliances es-
sential to the effective use of these for
tif,cations in actual warfare.
Gen. Miles says:
During the past year there have
been no serious engagements except
that of the troops under Gen. Frank d.
Baldwin in Mindanao, p. l., with the
Noros. For the number of men en-
gagged this was very spirited and des-
perate engagement. Our forces were
commanded by one of the most expert
eneed and efficient officers of the army.
whose record has always been of the
highest order, and his achievement to-
cether with that of the troops in this
engagement, made another chapter of
fortitude, tenncity and heroic sacrifice
in the history o. American arms.
The conditions of the Indians is
quite satisfactory and there has been
no disturbance of Importance among
them during the last II months.
"rhe 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 and gymnastics and mill
tary exercises made our small army a
corps Of athletes, while the elementary
schools established for enlisted men
the post libraries. the post lyceums OF
officers schools. the various schools OF
instruction and practice for officers as
well as the Military Academy, pro-
duced an army of such excellence that
! was able in my annual report fol-
1896 to state that the personnel OF the
army was never in better condition.
This was proven to be true by the
for,itude, skill and heroism displayed
in every serious campaign on every
field of mortal combat wherever the
army has been engaged in any part OF
the world during the last lour years
During that time many changes have
occurred and the army has been yer!
largely increased. The long and varied
service of the senior officers. their ex-
perience in organizing, disciplining, in
structing and leading their commands
as well as the excellent discipline, in
struclion and exemplary conduct OF the
soldiers of the army of '9S. have beer
the leaven of the army of the present
time. Evils may creep into any sys'
TEN or great organization. SUCH a:
have affected our army have been OF
will ba aIirutaI -