The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-05
The ARMY and NAVY.

From the report of the Secretary of War,
it will be seen that in only single instance
has there been any disturbance of the qniet
condition of our Indian trbes-a raid from
Mexico into Arizona by small party of In
dams, which was pursued by General Crook
into the mountain region from which it had
come. 1t is confidently hoped that serious
outbreaks will not again occur, and that the
Indian tribes which have for SO many years
disturbed the West will hereafter remain in
peaceable submission. 49,
l again call your attention to the present
condition of our extended seacoast upon
which are so many large cities whose wealth
and Importance to the country would. in
time of war, invite attack from modern
armored ships against which our existing
defensive works could give no adequate
protection. These works were built before
the introduction of modern heavy rifled
guns into maritime warfare and, if they are
not put in an efficient condition, we
may easily be subjected to hui
initiation by hostile power
greatly inferior to ourselves. AS germane
to this subject, 1 call your attention to the
importance of perfecting our submarine tor
pedo defenses. The board authorized by the
last Congress to report on the method which
should be adopted for the manufacture of
heavy ordnance adapted to modern warfare
mas visited the pflHcipal iron duC steer WORKS
in this country and in Europe. 1t is hoped
that its report will soon be made, and that
Congress will thereupon be disposed to pro-
vide suitable facilities and places for the
manufacture of such guns as are now imper-
atively needed.
On several occasions during the past year
officers of the army have, at the request of
the State authorities visited their military
encampments for the inspection of the
troops. From the reports of these officers l
am induced to believe that the encourage
ment of the State militia organizations by
the national government would be followed
by very gratifying results, and would afford
it, in sudden emergencies, the aid of large
body OF volunteers educated in the perform
ance of military duties,
THE NEW WAR VESSELS.
The Secretary OF the Navy reports that,
under the authority of the acts of Aug. 5,
1882, and March 8, 1885, the work Of
strengthening our navy by the construction
OF modern vessels has been assduously be-
gun. Three cruisers are in process of con-
structoE-the Chicago of 1900 tons dis.
placement, and the Boston and Atlanta
each of $500 tons They are to be built of
steel, of the tensile strength and ductility
prescribed by law and in combination of
speed, endurance and armament are expect
ed to compare favorably with the best ar
fourth vessel the Dolphin, is to be
constructed of similar material, and
is intended to serve as fleet dispatch boat.
The double-turreted monitors Puritan, Am
phitrite and Terror have been launched on
the Delaware river. and contract has been
made for the supply of their machinery. A
similar monitor the Mondauock, has been
launched in California. The naval advisory
board and the Secretary recommend the COM
pletion of the monitors, the construction OF
four gun-boats and also OF three additional
steel vessels like the Chicago, Boston and
Dolphin, as an important measure
of national defense. The Secre-
tary urges also, the immediate
erection of an interior coast line OF water
ways across the peninsula OF Florida, along
the coast from Florida to Hampton Roads, be-
tween the Chesapeake bay and the Delaware
river. and through Cape Cod. | feel bound
to impress upon the attention OF Congress
the necessity of continued progress in the
reconstruction OF the navy. The condition OF
the public treasury, as | have already init
mated, makes the present an suspicious
time for putting this branch OF the service
in a state of efficiency 1t is no part of our
policy to create and maintain a navy able to
cope with that of the other great powers of
the world. We have no wish for foreign
conquest. and the peace which we have long
enjoyed is in no seeming danger of Interrupt
ton But that our naval strength should be
made adequate for the defense of our har-
bors, the protection OF our commercial inter
ests, and the maintenance of our national
honor, is n proposition from which no pa
triotic citizen can withhold his assent.