New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-01
THE ARMY AND NAVY.

The Reports of the Secretaries of War and
the Navy are more interesting this year than
they have been at any time since 1865. Gen.
Belknap has very little to tell us of warlike
operations, and the ModOc and Apache cam
paigns are left to be described by the generals
who fought them; but we have been so near
foreign war and our relations with Cuba are
still so delicate that everybody will be interested
in knowing exactly what our military condition
is. The number of enlisted men in the United
States army, according to Gen. Sherman's
report, is 1856. and there are besides 1870
non -combatants. The actual number avail
able for active service is less than 10000, and
as most of these are needed in the Indian
country it is evident that we are not in
condition to send a formidable expedition
Just now to Havana. Nor does it appear
that we are much better prepared to re-
sst an enemy than we are To attack one.
The sea- coast defenses have been improved as
far and as fast as the moderate appropriations
would allow, but the forts and batteries have
not been armed, so that the principal cities
"on our coast are in a very defenseless state,
and the tedious and costly work OF prepare
" ton cannot be commenced on the breaking
"out of a war with the hope of accomplishing
" any adequate result" The Chief of Ordnance
asks an appropriation of S1,449,552 for the
purchase of smooth bore guns and gun
carriages for the new works, and this sum,
SAYS the Secretary, will provide for one-sixth
"only of the guns and carriages that VIII be
REQUIRED for Notifications which will be ready
"by the 3Oth of June, 1874" In the peaceful
scientific labors which have been imposed
upOn the War Department--the survey OF the
territories, the improvement of rivers and har-
bors, and the development of the valuable
system of weather signals and repOrts-the
record of the year is gratifying and the Secre-
tary can refer to what has been accomplished
with just pride.
For obvious reasons, Secretary Robson
gives no definite information rs to the naval
force now fitting out for the West Indies, but
il is not difficult to read between the lines Of
his report n statement of affairs which we
cannot contemplate with any satisfaction. Of
late years the Department has been able to do
little beyond protecting its ships and navy
yards from actually dropping to pieces
Within twelve months our naval force has
been reduced by the sale or cOndemna-
ton of 10 useless ships, and of the 1865
vessels now borne on the register, the aggre-
gate armament of which lis ,269 guns, % are
tugs, % are old-fashoned sailing vessels, and
many are of little or no use for active service.
But on the other hand there are six ships
undergoing complete repairs" and the eight
sloops of war ordered by the last Congress are
rapidly approaching completion. In fitting out
the squadron for possible service on the Cuban
coast Mr.. Robson has of course been
obliged to assume heavy responsibilities, but
he had a balance of unexpended appr0pria-
tons in hand sufficient for his immediate
needs, and has therefore been in no difficulty
for want of money. His prompt action will
meet with the unqualified approval of the
people, and the handsome terms i'll which he
speaks of American seamen will awaken a
cordial response. If troubles come it will be
found that however weak we may be at first
in ships, we are more than a match for our
antagonist in the good seamanship, galantry,
and experience of our officers, and the bravery
of our men.