Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 October 1897 — GEN. MILES’ REPORT. [ARTICLE]

GEN. MILES’ REPORT.

HE FAVORS AN INCREASE IN THE ARMY. -Thinks Three Military Posts Shonla Be Established in Alaska, and Refers to Improved Conditions of IndianaDun Reports a Lull in Trade. Many- Recommendations. Gen. Miles, commanding general of the army, has made his annual report to the (Secretary of War at Washington. He commends the efficiency of the army and speaks of the progress that has been made on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts in the matter .of fortifications. He asks thal Congress authorize two mote regiments of artillery to garrison the new fortifications, and also five additional regiments of infantry. The general devotes considerable attention to Alaska, and says that the waters of Alaska should be thoroughly examined by the naval forces, and that there should be at least three military posts established in the territory to support the civil authorities. He refers to the improved conditions of the Indians, and recommends that the policy of em..ploying army officers as Indian agents he continued. He makes recommendations in detail for the protection of coast points and says the maximum peace footing of the army should be one enlisted man to every 1.000 population and the minimum one to every 2,000. Trade Is Quiet, R. G. Dun & Co.’s Weekly Review of Trade says: “After the heaviest buying ever known in many branches during September and the first half of October it was both natural and desirable that a more quiet period should give time for testing the size and temper of retail trade and for distributing part of the enormous quantities bought. As the buying for replenishment is partly satisfied and diminishes, there is some decrease in the volume of transactions, though at the same time the working force has further increased, the wages of labor have been in numerous cases advanced and the foundation laid more broadly every week for large buying and business hereafter. Failures for the week were 224 in the United States, against 274 hist year, and 36 in Canada, against 61) last year.” Ample Food in Alaska. Advices have reached the War Department in Washington from private sources to the effect that there is more food along the Yukon than is generally supposed, and that although there may be some suffering, no man need go hungry if he cares to travel for the food. The steamers of the transportation Company were unable to get through (living to low water, but it is reported to Seefetary Alger that they left their stores of provisions along the river at accessible points. Altogether there are about 1,200 tons of provisions within 300 miles of Dawson along the Yukon. Also there are 600 log houses near the Tanana river, and with accommodations for from 300 to 400 people at Fort Yukon the department is advised that there will prob-, ably he shelter sufficient for all the people now in the country. Railroad Horror in New York. A disastrous railroad accident, occurred on the New York Central and Hudson ftiver Railroad, a short distance below Garrison’s station. The train was going at a good rate of speed when it passed Garrison's, It was a mile and a half below when the accident occurred. Conductor Parish says the track seemed to fall out from under the train, the train seemed to shoot into the air, and the next minute it appeared to fall into the river. Into the slimy waters of the Hudson the cars plunged, dragging through the water the helpless passengers. The total number of known dead is nineteen; the estimated number is twenty-eight.