Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-07
THE WAR IN. THE. PHILIPPINES
% serious engagements, Escept
Those Of the Troops Under Bald
win in Mfndnnao-Con,liti of the
Indian. satisfactory.

WASHINGTON. D. c., Nov. 6-The an
nual report of Lieutenant-G General Miles,.
commanding the army, is a brief review
of the reports that have been submitted
TO him by other officers. He endorses
the reconm endatio,: of General Brooke.
for n reimbursement Of the geographical
limits of the different departments, with
a view of equalizins conditions. General
Mics calls attention to the necessity Of
quarters for troops. saying that. while
hundreds Of thousands of dollars are be.
ing spent for quarters for cavalry. very
little is being used to afford shelter for
artillery. which is exposed to severe eli
mates along the coasts.
These troops says General Miles,
ARE required to be located adjacent to
the Notifications, notwithstanding the
exposed position Of many of them. and l
see no reason why buildings should not
be properly constructed in time to be
occupied when it is known for years
exactly when and where they will be re-
CURED
Il also call attention to the incomplete
condition of the Qualifications. 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 ammu-
milton. 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 engage
ments. except that of the troops under
General Frank D. Baldwin, in Mindanao,
Philippine Islands. with the Moros. where
a number of men engaged ina very
spirited and desperate engagement Our.
forces were commanded by one Of 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 troops
in this enga cement, made another chap
ter of tortitudc. tenacity and heroic s;lcri-
fee in the history of American soldiers
The condition of the Indians is uuNe
satisfactory and there has been no dis
turhance. of importance among them dur
ing the last twelve months. This is ac-
counted for principally by three reasons
First. just and humane treatment of the
Indians and the iudicious management
of their affairs. Second. Their gradual
transition from a condition of barbarism
to that of a semi-civilized people. Third.
The close proximity of the military gar
risons. which arc always available in
case of threatened disturbance.
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 and
gynlnastic and military exercises made
our small army corps of athletes, while
the elementary schools established for
enlisted men, the post libraries. the post
lyceums and officers 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 personnel of the army was
never in better condition.
This was proven to be true by the
fortitude 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 four years During that
time many changes have occurred and the
army has been Very largely increased.
The long and varied service of the senior
officers, their experience in organ2a-
ton. disciplning, instructing, and leading
their commands, as We'll as the excellent
discipline instruction and exemplary con
duct of the soldiers of the army of 9S.
have been the leaven of the army of the
present time. Evils may creep into any
system. or great organizations, but such
as have affected our army have been or
will be eradicated