The New York herald., 1875-12-07

extending from Uuna By Jauaica 10 Barbados and the
Windward Islands, has been arranged for
The works for the defence or the seab0aFd under the
Engineer Department. have progressed satisfactorily
and a. rapidly as the means provided would admit.
The class Of works adopted in 1862 heavy earth
batteries. thoroughly protected and arranged for guns
aud mortars suitable resist the attack OF the most
powerful ironcladS Already some Of the positions Sc
lected, particularly our larger commercial ports,
nave large proportion Of their gun positions pre-
pared.
The work or James b. Eads and those associated
with him in constructing permanent jetties 70
secure and MAINTAIN wide and deep channel between
the Mississippi River and the Gulf Of Mexico through
the south Pass o. the river fully referred to- Tho
geographical explorations and surveys west OF tho
Tooth meridian also have extended reference
The plan OF concentration proposed by the Board on
Arsenals In 1874 is recommended This consists IN the
establishment OF grand arsenal Of construction
the vicinity Of New York city, retaining the Spring
hed armory and the Frankiord adjuncts for
manufacturing pnrposesj retaining also the Indian
apolis arsenal Indiana Kennebec arsenal Name; Fort
Monroe arsenal, Virginia and Augusta arsenal,
Georgia as places for storage and repair,
ana and selling the Allegheny, watervilet, Water
as circumstances will permit the proceeds
Of such sales 10 be devoted to the purchase Of and
the grand arsenal The amount thai can probably be-
realized from the sales will be So 600 600 The
wisdom and economy Of greater concentration of ord
nance manufactures seem to call for extended argu
ment The military powers OF the world bring to-
gether in one grand whole all their that there
may result economy and perfect The experience
OF all private enterprises points TO concentration
vital element Of success. Proximity raw material
skilled labor and cheap transportation can be attained
by the plan proposed and IL appeals strongly for Legs
lative consideration and action, because il bo
carried out without taking a dollar from the public
treasury This policy OF concentration has been carried
out Tor the Pacific the Benica arsenal and for
the Mississippi Valley at the Rock Island arsenal and
lowed.
The entire army has been supplied with new rifles
and carbines cabre As and have now in store a
reserve supply Of these arms Of 26 0o0 At the end
OF the present fiscal year supply may reach
total or 40, 600 arms OF the model and cabre-
about enough IN case OF war; to army corps
During the past year the armament for coast
defence has engaged the attention OF the department.
and board OF distinguished ordnance officers has been
in session endeavortng TO obtain all the data possible
with the very meagre resources at its command Its
report Of December H. 1874, to Congress by
the President in special Message, urging "the
absolute necessity for immediate provision by Con-
gress for the procurement Of heavy cannon
adding that "the constant appeals for legisa-
ton tho armament of fortihcatons ought no
longer be disregarded II Congress desires in peace
prepare the important material without which futuro
must inevitably lead to disasterh An appropra-
ton OF $5 600 all that obtained from Congress-
and tho attention of that body to this important sub
Ject is urgently recommended and appropriation OF
the money estimated for is strongly pressed upon its
consideration.
The report or the commanding general OF the Depart
ment OF Texas contains detailed information
ing the difficulties which have created such excitement
on the Lower Rio Grande where some OF the most
prominent officers and wealthy merchants of that part
OF Mexico appear to be regularly engaged in fitting out
parties plunder the stock ranches on this side OF
the river Reports OF murder in open daylight of sew
eral influential citizens Including United States officials
and soldiers and other dastardly outragos on the
part Of these vagrant Mexicans, made to
the division commander, who invites attention
30 the grave character OF the invasons
and the Importance OF prompt and decisive
measures on the part of the Tor their sup
preston Many Of the reports from that locality are
probably sensational in character, and believed to
have been nstgaed by parties whose interests
would be subserved by the presence of more troops
the borders of Texas; but many others of
doubted reliability and have been instituted
by the department commander, under orders from SUI
perior authority TO preserve the integrity of and
force proper regard for, the territory Of the United
The actual expenditures of the War Depart
ment for the year ending June 80, 1874
including river and harbor improvements
$40, s2c,alA
80, 1875 were H,277,s75
Showing a reduction nof............... or l,o4s, $50
The estimates for the military establishment
1877, So, ,452, 800
80, 1915, 80, ass, 900
Being an increase of.......... or se3 42T
The appropriations for that purpose for the
current fiscal year were SIS, III 4OI
Good progress has been made during the year the
preparation Of the official records OF the war of the re-
beon both in the Federal and Confederate branches.
The curosties OF the Yellowstone National Park are
rapidly being destroyed If authority given the
War Department make surveys and TO locate roads
through the park and station or two companies OF
troops in FOR the purpose OF preventing spola
tion satisfactory results would no doubt follow.
The officer designated TO take charge OF the conribu
ton TO be made by the War Department al the lnterna
tonal Exhibition OF lS76 has abored to organize the
means within the department OF making n display OF
materials equal in extent and variety TO any
similar contribution TO like exhibition in this or foreign
countries The total expense OF making a fuil and
satisfactory exhibit of materials has
heretofore been estimated at 100000. Con-
grcss, at the last session, appropriated only
$l33 900 OF this amount and burdened the appropria
on with pro rata share of the expense any build
ing that might be erected for the accommodation OF
the entire government exhibit. Experience has shown
the thus left for the practical exhibit of
the War Department inadequate. aud II is recon-
mended that Congress supplements the appropriation
already made by further one granting sufficient TO
make up the of 5000 900 for the practical exhibit
OF tho department. This amount is set down at
$50 000 which includes item of $22 600 as rein-
bursement for moneys expended IN the creation OF tho
government building at the exhibition The Secretary
believes that the government In appearing as voun-
tary contributor this exhibition, international as 10
is in character should avoid the modification of an in
j considnra Me digcrediLAhle diSnlaY.