The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-06
GEN. MILES, REPORT
The Record of the Troops During the
Year Has Been of the High
est Order.
The Value to the Army of the Long
and Varied Services of the
Senior Officers.

Washington, Nov. 6.-The annual report
Of Lieutenant General Miles, commanding
the army. is a brief review of the reports
that have been submitted to him by other
! officers. He Endorses the recommended
ton OF General Brooke for a readjustment
OF the geographical limits of the different
/ departments with view OF equalizing
conditions. General Miles calls attention
to the necessity OF quarters for troops,
saying that while hundreds Of thousands
OF dollars are being spent for quarters Tor
| cavalry very little is being used TO afford
shelter for artillery. which IS exposed TO
severe climates along the coasts.
These troops" says General Miles, ARE
required to be located adjacent to the
fortihcations Notwithstanding the exposed
position Of many Of them and l see no
reason why buildings should not be prop
erly constructed in time TO be occupied.
when 1t is known for years exactly where
and when they will be required. l call
attention to the incomplete condition Of
the fortitications especially on the Pacific
coast where millions have been expended
in engineering and ordnance work and yet
the commands have not been properly
supplied with ammunition. electrical
plants and other appliances essential &c
the effective use Of these Notifications
In actual warfare
This Years Battles.
Dul liS Tic past SSdl lllSlS have pCSl
no serious engagements, except that OF
the troops under General Frank D. Bald
win in MndanaO. P. l., with the Moros
For the number Of men engaged this was
very spirited and desperate engagement
Our forces were commanded by one o!
the most experienced and efficient officers
OF the army, whose record has always
been Of the highest order and his achieve
ment, together with that Of the troop:
In this engagement made another Chapte
Of fort1tude, tenacity and heroic sacrific,
In the history Of American arms.
THE condition Of the Indians Is quit,
satisfactory and there has been no dis
turbance Of Importance among them dur
Ing the last twelve, months. This Is &C
counted for principally by three reasons
First, just and humane treatment Of the
Indians and the judiciOus management O.
their affairs; second, their gradual transi
ton from condition Of barbarism to tina
Of a semi-civilized people; and third, tn
close proximity Of the military garrison
which are always available In case O.
threatened disturbance.
The Personnel Of the Army.
THE experience during the great civil
war, and years Of campaigning along ou
western frontier afforded the best schools
OF practice for our army in former years
The attention given to calisthentcs an[
gymnastic and military exercises mad
our small army corps Of athletes, Whil
the elementary schools established for en-
listed men, the post libraries, the pos
lyceums and officers schools, the variou
schools of instruction and practice TO
officers as we'll as the military academy
produced an army Of such excellence tina
I was able in my annual report for lS9
to state that the personnel Of the arm
was never in better condition.
This was proven to be true by tn
fortitude. skill and heroism displayed l.
every serious campaign on every field O
mortal combat wherever the army ha
been engaged in any part Of the worl
during the last four years. During tina
time many changes have occurred an
the army has been very largely Increased
The long and varied service Of the senio
officers. their experience In organizing
discipining, instructing and leading the
commands as we'll as the excellent dis
cipine. instruction and exemplary cor
duct of the soldiers of the army of '9S hav
been the leaven Of the army Of the pres
ent time. Evils may creep into any sys
tenn or great organization. Such as hav
affected our army have been, or will
eradiCated,"