New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-20
to consider what means are necessary to establish
and increase commercial intercourse between those
countries and the United States.
NATIONAL WORKS OF DEFENSE.


STATEMENT BY SECRETARY BELkNAP IN REGARD TO
THE ARsENAIs OF HE CoUNTRY-IHE REIEN-
TON OF -FOUR OF THE PRESENT ARsENhLs, WITH
ONE GRAND ARSENAL FOR THE ATLANTIC COAST,
RECOMMENDED.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON Jan. l9-The following statement
in regard TO the various arsenas of the country and
the possibility of retrenchment in connection with
Them has been made by Secretary Belknap to the
Military Committee:
The wants OF the army ana country be thoroughly
met by the retention OF the following arsenas. VIZ.
Benicia Arsenal. for the Pacific coast San Antonio.
Texas, for the Texas frontier: Augusta, Ca for the
South Atlantic aud Gulf; Rock Island. Ill., for the Mis-
sssipp Valley and grand arsenal for the Atlantic
The BeDca, Rock Island, and Atlantic arsenas should
capacity for manufacture and storage az to
suffice for the country in OF The San Antonio
and Augusta would be convenient for storage
repir and the depot for the storage OF powder at
Jefferson Barracks should be retained. Tao arsenas
which might be abolished on economical grounds,
and whose manufactures, &C., might be con
Quoted at the Atlantic Arsenal, arc the following;
indianapolis, Columbus, Allegheny. New-Yors, Detroit
Fortress Monroe Fort Union. Frankford Kennebec.
Leavenwortb National Armory, Pkesvile, vancouver,
Washington Watervlet, and WatertOwn. The purchase
of experimental proving ground. so greatly needed
by the Ordnance Department, woHld dispense with the
further use Of the Fortress Monroe Arsenal, aud It
could be turned to the artillery school OF practice
at Fortress Monroe The selection OF Leavenworth
Arsenal for the purposes OF military prison, which
has recommended. would dispose Of that place.
A large Atlantic arsenal world rentershe remainder
unnecessary If such arsenal cannot be obtained
from Congress- then OF present arscDals the
Atlantic coast having the greatest conveniences and
capabilities should be selected and enlarged as to
all the requirements OF the service east OF the
Mississippi manufactures storage, &C., and smaller
arsenals be discontinued sold Some OF the smaller
he retained for storage purposes. but the
expense OF their aud preservation s considerable,
and the drain the appropriations for the
purpose 10 deemed OF doubtful utility They could be
sold it is thought, with great advantage to the United
states The following would be the best selections for
retention: The National Armory in Massachusetts,, for
the manufacture OF small Watervliet Arsenal In
Sew-York, for the manufacture Of heavy carriages
leather work. &c Frankford Arsenal in Pennsylvania,
for the manufacture OF ammunition and explosives.
Should the appropriation for the armament OF FORTH
cations render IL expedent TO begin the manufacture OF
cannon by the Ordnance Department FraDkord Arsenal
in close proximity TO the coal aud iron beds OF PenDsy
yana would selected for the construction Of cannon
and the manufacture Of ammunition and explosives
would be transferred to the National Armory. Tho
manufacturing storage capacity OF the three above
named establishments. when properly fostcred and
sustained would In connection with the storage depot
IN the barbor of New-York and the NewYork Arsenal
he amply sufficient for the wants OF the country east OF
the Mississippi. This would give large armory to
the New England States, large arsenal TO the state
| OF New-York, and one TO Pennsylvania.