The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-08-28

shores by any government or govern
ments within any reasonable time. We
have 100000 men accustomed to the
saddle and rifle that could be used to
quickly overrun Canada or Mexico;
hence the disproportion of our mount
ed forces to that Of the main body of
the army Is unnecessary and injudi-
cious. In European armies the proper
ton of mounted troops to infantry is
from one-fourth to fifth, in the
English army 1t Is one-seventh, while
in our army there are one-half as
many cavalry as infantry regiments.
The marvellous development in mod
ern armS-rifies, machine guns and
quick firing field artillery-renders the
cavalry, as formerly used on the bat
de1eld, obsolete, while the wonderful
development in the use of motor power
and electrical appliances has rendered
the horse far less important than for
meriy. These facts are doubly signifi-
cant and should be recognized by the
military authorities and the govern
ment.
There is, however, a corps or force
required in our army that could be
rendered of great utility not only to the
military. but to the people of this coun-
try. This power is being recognized
by European governments, and have
ours. 1t will be utilized in the next
war, and preparation for it's use by our
army should no longer be neglected. I
have reference to the bicycle motor
cycle and the automobile, which have
been developed to that extent that they
have become most valuable means of
communication and transportation.
Five regiments of cavalry should be
discontinued and a corps of five regi-
ments should be organized. thoroughly
trained and constantly employed in the
use of these modern appliances. 1t
should be regarded as a flying corps or
corps of observation. to open the way
for the advance of an army, to obtain
information, to reconnoiter the country
and to repair or build roads and
bridges. Officers and men of the caval-
ry, artillery and infantry, and of the
quartermaster's and medical depart
ments and engineer and signal corps,
should serve two or four years with this
corps.
1.-The modern appliances of road
building are vastly superior to those
formerly used lin fact, the work is now
done principally by machinery, and
this corps should bs supplied with all
the recent inventions and improve
ments for that purpose. 1t should be
constantly moved about through diff
ferent parts of the country, where 1t
would have every opportunity for ex-
perience in improving the roads suit
able for the movement Of an army.
making careful study of the topogra-
ply. surveying and mapping the differ
ent sections as it passes over them.
making both officers and men familiar
with this most important work. and at
the same time benefiting the country
wherever the corps may be operating.
In fact, such a corps would be of more
important practical and direct benefit
to the country in time of peace than all
the rest of the army. and in time of
war would be invaluable.
"The millions of dollars that are now
uselessly expended for one-third of the
mounted force could in this way be
utilized in bringing about a great i'm
provement in the army, comforting a
great benefit upon the country. at the
same time training a most important
corps for military service. and / urge
that this measure be recommended to
and authorized by congress. Very re-
spectfully, Nelson A. Miles,
Lieutenant General"