The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-12-07
THE ARMY.
Annual Report of Secretary
Belknap.

NEW YORK, Dec 6-The report of the Sec
rotary Of War says that the sea-coast defences
are making satisfactory progress. The class of
works adopted in 1S69is heavy earth batteries
thoroughly protected and arranged for guns
and mortars suitable to resist the attack of the
most powerful iron-clads. Already some posi-
tions selected, particularly in our largest COM
mercial ports, have large proportion of their
gun positions prepared.
He urges an increase of the engineer corps
from 200 to 500 men, las that number is required
for torpedo service. He says that the trials
with torpedoes have continued, and have con-
frmed previous views as to the importance of
this auxiliary in the defence of our harbors, as
we'll as certainty that their use in time OF war
will prevent an enemy's vessel from running
past our batteries, and will enable us to hold
them under the fire of our artillery. All the
preliminary work for the future deepening and
widening of the channel at the mouth of the
Mississippi River has been done, and the Sec
rotary recommends an appropriation of SLY 800
for next years surveys and examinations. He
also asks for the following appropriations:
For Notifications and other works of defense
$2044, 900; public buildings and grounds and
Washington aqueduct $714, 474; surveys $170,-
600; engineer depot at Willetts Point, New
York, $4,000; office expenses $4,000; i'm
proyements Of rivers aud harbors, $14, sol 100;
total $17, 2O8, $40.
lie says the army was reduced to $4,000 men
and they are more contented than heretofore,
there being less desertion, while the recruits
now being received are superior to those form
erly in the army. He desires legislation author
izing him to enlist music boys under twelve
years of age.
He also urges the establishment of military
band of rs for each regiment and a reduction
of the number of laundresses allowed each reg
iment. He urges the adoption of the German
system of enlisting men for transportation SER
vice, believing thereby would be secured con-
siderable economy, and desires stricter laws
compelling enlisting men to make oath that
they are single.
He commends the work of the signal bureau
and says that daily reports are being arranged
with all the West India Islands. Of the daily
report last year the probabilities" have been
fulfilled in 81 out of every 100 stations.
-. The amount expended during the year in ma
tional cemeteries was 1921 1887, and eleven GEM
eteries still require enclosing walls; headstones
furnished to date, 63, 112. He recommends the
eft of the families of deceased officers. He
favors the re-establshment Of the mileage sys-
tenn to officers travelling under orders and rec
ommendS the concentration of munitions Of
war IN one grand arsenal, to be built from the
proceeds Of the sales of the present arsenals
The actual expenditures of the war depart.
ment for year ending June 30, 1874, including
river and harbor Improvements, were $40, $685.
314. The same for the last fiscal year ending
Jane 80, 1875, were SAL PIT ,345, showing a re-
duction of 81, 048, 939. The estimates for the
military establishment for the ensuing fiscal
year ending ending June 30, 1874, are 1888, 49,
1885, those for the current fiscal year ending
June 80. 1876, were 1872 ,46S 969, being an in
crease of 1868 427. The appropriations for that
purpose for the current fiscal year were $685.
727, 404. The excess of the estimates for the
ensuing fiscal year over the appropriations for
the current fiscal year arises from the fact that
experience has shown the appropriations were
not sufficient to meet the demands of the SER
vice. He recommends Congress to appropriate
some 100000 additional to enable the war de-
partment to give an adequate and practical ex-
hibit of its resources at the centennial and con-
cludes b. saying:
81 believe thatthe government in appearing
as voluntary contributor at this exhibition,
International as tits in character, should avoid
the modification Of an inconsiderable or dis
creditable display.
(Signed) VIM. w. BELKNAP,
Secretary Of War.