The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-12-14
WAR M TIE 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 quiet condi-
ton of our Indian tribes. A raid was made
from Mexico into Arizona by a small party of
Indians. which was pursued by Gen. Crook
INTO the mountainous regions from which it
had come. 1t is confidently hoped that serious
outbreaks VIII not again occur, and that the
Indian tribes which have for many years dis
turbed the West will hereafter remain in
! peaceable submission.
STATE MILITIA ENCOURAGED
On several occasions during the past wear
officers of the army have, at the request Of
STATE authorities, visited these military ca
campments for inspection of troops From
the reports OF those officers | am induced to
believe that the encouragement OF the State
militia organization by the National govern.
ment would be followed by very gratifying re-
suits and would afford il, in sudden emer-
| gencies, the aid of a large body of volunteers
educated IN the performance of military du-
tiea.
AN EXPOSED sE4coAsT.
! again call your attcrtion to the present
| condition of our extended seacoast. upcn which
ara SO many large cities whose wealth and I'M
portance to the country would, in
time of war, invite attack from mod
ern armored ships, against which our
quate protection. Those works were built be-
fore the introduction of modern heavy ritied
guns into maritime warfare; and if they are
not put in All efficient condition, we may easily
be subjected to humiliation by a hostile power
greatly inferior to ourselves. As germane 10
this subject. l call your attention to the i'm
portance Of peri Q cling our submarine torpedo
defenses.
The board authorized by the last con-
| gress TO report on the methods for the
adapted to modern warfare, has Wis
tied the principal iron and steel works
in this country aud in Europe. 1t is hoped that
its report will be soon made, and that congress
will t%hereupon be disposed TO provide suitable
facilities and plans for the manufacture of
such guns as are now imperatively needed.
The secretary OF the navy reports that, under
the authority of the acts of Aug. 5, 1882, and
March 3, 1888, the work of strengthening our
navy by the construction of modern vessels has
been auspiciousiy begun. Three cruisers are
IN progress of construction-the Chicago, of
1900 tons displacement, and the Boston and
Atlantic, each of $500 tons. They are to be
built of steel, with the tensile strength and
ductili,y prescribed by law, and in combination
of speed, endurance, and armament are ex-
pected TO compare favorably with the best un-
armed war vessels of other nations.
A fourth vessel, the DJlphln, to
be constructed of similar materials,
is intended to serve as n fleet dispatch boat,
The double-tpIretcd monitors Puritan, Amphi-
triye 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 Mouadnock, has been launched in
California. The naval advisory board and the
secretary recommend the completion of the
monitors, the construction OF four guubnats,
and also OF three steel vessels Ike the Chicago,
Boston and Dolphin. as an important Measure
OF material defense.
LNIEEIoR WATERWAYS
The secretary urges Tie immediate creation
Of an interior fast line of water ways
across the peninsula of FIoridD, along tho coast
from Florida 10 Hampton Roads, between the
Chesapeake bay and Delaware river, and
through Cape Cod l feel 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 minated, makes the pres
ent al anspicious time for p~uttipg this branch
Of the service in n stats OF efficiency. It'll no
part of our policy to create aud maintain a
navy able to cope with that of the
other great powers of tho world.
We have no wish for foreign conquest, and the
peace which we nave so iora e9joyed is III no
seeming danger of interruption; yet our naval
strength should be made adequate for the de-
Tense of our farbors, the protection of our
commercial interests, and the maintenance of
our national houor-a proposition from which
no patriotic citizen can withhold his assent