The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-12-08
WAR DEPARTMENT,


Annual DscpOrt ~ Secretary 1.iMcOls.
The annual report Of the Secretary OF War is
chiefly devoted to the consideration OF the inn
annual report 81 the army chiefs. Gen. SHEER
mans Recommendation that tho army be in-
cr,asedto 81, 100 men receives Secretary nculn's
earnest Endorsement. The attention of Con-
gress is called to the need of legislation TO pre
vent an Intrusion upon Indian lands, especially
from Kansas into the Indian Territory. Secrs-
tary l..Ieola invites special atten lon to tina
part Ut the report of Gen. Wright, Chief Of En-,
gincers. which rfers To our seacoast aefenses
and ON tl,is suffice, sayss
The Chief OF Engineers shows that defense
by fortlneatioas and torpedoes ID the only one
Which i at all practicable for coast as extend
ell as ours. comprising 50 many rich maritime
cities. extensive navy yards, and depots If sup
ply that any attempt NJ any other mode Of de-
Tense would le enormously expensive. both fur
tint cost and maintenance, and il is the only
mode adopted 10y maritime nations Experience
shows modern Wars come on suddenly that
serious international disputes occur between ma
tiens the relations Of which are appsr.ntly NEST
unlikely 10 be otherwise than friendly, aud
a condition OF readiness for defense and an
attitude OF Lelligerency are sometimes the best
prescnslNcs OF actual war. We know that the
necessary new works and the proper moiiiiea-
tioas Of the old works will require many Years
for their completion, and it seems simply \
matter Of common prudence that We commence
without delay. and, under liberal apmopria-
tons, put our coasts ia al effective condition Of
defense.
referring to the subject Of the standard Of
requirements necessary for admission IL tho
Military Academy at West Point, the Secretary
says:
al ..,,..,r l., sl. ,,n,~, - 49,. - a.....-
tina, it would not ec well 10 raise the standard
of ADMISSION. The result of ti.c last examina-
tion. IN which forty-ssinc out of us candidates
wef. injected, Shows the standard is 81 high as
70 proven, the admission Of many who would
undoubtedly. IL they had been so situated as to
receive the proper preliminary training, prove
valuable oislosrs. IL has ree,n,ly been
recommended TO mo by the Aea-
d.mie Beard 10 psrnit the d.seoa,lauanee
of CERTAIN prescribed studies Ia ,a. course for
the purpose OF giving time Tor others, the ins-
poftanec VI which Mas apparent. A oonssacra-
ton ~ the subject suggested by this f-s'on,-
incubation leads III. IL believe II Maasd l.. lost
u extend the cuufs. - a. IL cover tiN. ,oags.
II Is bti.Nea that hs 81 doing no, onlv would
the lcn.iits Of the academy b, nsans widely cA-
tended. tut that the graduates would leo pre-
pared 70 render better service 10 the country.
The actual expenditures under the War lie
parimen, for the fiscal year ending June 80.
for lSs2 were issa. 1a5, and the estimates for
ISIS cali for siIsii.-56. Tie estimates pre-
scented 70 the Secretary for revision in
clgicd, for the armament VI furtica-
tons, $4,000; fortli.c toms and other
waiks Of defense, si,sss. st,a. improving
rivers AMI aarlurs. go, i0i, $40. m.I,:o.ia.
the Mississippi rayef by tic eonnllSsiail. laa-
oea; Inol.c ta,liliugs AMI grounds in sad near
Washington. Ssiaueo surveys taken, - 900 ;
Total. So. USl sun. This amount has te.u H.
daecd On my revision to an aggregate IF sin,-
osa,0Oo. which sum. il juaieioasly allotted
by Congress, viii he, In my Judgment a r.a-
sonsLle allowance for THIS class Of expense
during the next fiscal year