The Dickinson press., 1883-12-15
WAR N THE NAVY.

From the report of the secretary of war it
will be seen that in only q single instance has
there been any disturbance of the quiet condi-
ton Of our Indian tribes. A raid was made
from Mexico into Arizona by i small party of
Indians, which was pursued by Gen. Crook
into the mountainous regions from which it
had come. It is confidently hoped that serious
outbreaks will not again occur, and that the
Indian tribes which have for many years dig
turbea the West will hereafter remain in
peaceable submission.
STATE MILITIA
On several occasions during the past year
officers of the army have, at the request of
State authorities, visited these military en-
campments for inspection of troops. From
the reports Of those officers 1 an induced to
believe that the encouragement Of tho State
militia organization by the National govern
ment would be followed by very gratifying re-
suits and would afford ii, in sudden omsr-
gencies, tho aid of u large body of volunteers
educated in the performance of military du-
ties.
AN EXPOSED s%EACoAsT.
1again call your attention to the present
condition of our extended seacoast, upon which
are so many large cities whose wealth and i'm
p%ortance to the country would, in
time of war, invite attack from mod
ern armored ships, against which our
existing defensive wo:ks could give no ade-
quate protection. Those works were built be-
lOl6 lio lutIOuuCtlOu VI ulOUeEu uGaVY rlIleQ
guns into maritime warfare; and if they are
not put in an efficient condition, we may easily
be subjected to humiliation by q hostile power
greatly inferior to ourselves. As germane to
this subject. l call your attention to the i'm
portance Of peri cling our submarine torpedo
d~efenses.
The board authorized by the last con-
gress to report on the methods for the
manufacture Of heavy ordnance, and
tied tho principal iron and steel works
will thereupon be disposed to provide suitable
facilities and plans for the manufacture of
such guns as are now imporatively needed.
The secretary Of the navy reports that, under
the authority Of the acts OF Aug. s, 1882, and
March 8, 1883. the work of Strengthening our
navy by the construction of modern vessels has
been auspiciously begun. Three cruisers are
in progress Of construction-the Chicago, of
4, 500 tons displacement, and the Boston and
Atlantic, each Of z, 500 tons. They are to be
ductility prescribed by law, and in combination
! of speed, endurance, and armament are ex-
! pected TO compare favorably with the best I'M
armed war vessels OF other nations.
= d 6e1g!n vessel IL ts simiI, p''p Materials, to
is intended to serve as a fleet dispatch boat.
The double-turretcd monitors Puritan, Amphi.
trite and Terror have been launched on the
Delaware river, and a contract has been made
for the supply of their machinery. A similar
vessel, the Monadnock, has been launched in
California. The naval advisory board and the
secretary recommend tho completion of the
monitors, the construction of four gunboats,
and also OF three steel vessels like the Chicago,
Boston and Dolphin, as an important measure
of material defense.
INTERIOR WATER WAYS
The secretary urges the immediate creation
of an interior fast line Of water ways
across the peninsula of Florida, along the coast
from Florida to Hampton Roads, between the
Chesapeake bay and Delaware river, and
through Cape Cod. Ifeel bound to impress
upon the attention of congress the necessity Of
continued progress in the construction of the
navy The condition of the public treasury.
as I have already intimatsd, makes the pres
ent an suspicious time for pntting this branch
Of the service in q state of efficiency. 1t is no
part of our policy to create aud maintain .
navy able to cope with that Of the
other great powers Of the world,
We have no wish for foreign lonquest, and the
peace which we have SO Ions enjoyed is in no
seeming danger of interruption; yet our nays!
strength should be made adequate for tho de-
Tense Of our harbors, the protection Of our
commercial interests, and the maintenance Of
our national honor-a proposition from which
no patriotic citizen can withhold his assent