The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1883-12-13
WAR AND THE NAVY.
THE INDIANS MOSTLY QUIET.

From the report Of the secretary OF war 1t
will be seen that in only single instance kas
there been any disturbance Of the quiet condi-
ton of our Indian tribes A raid was made
from Mexico into Arizona by 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 will not again occur, and that the
Indian tribes which have for mauy years dis
turbei the West viii! hereafter remain in
peaceable submission.
STATE MILITIA ENCOURAGED.
On several occasions during the past year
officers of the army have, at the request of
State authorities, visited these military ec-
campn1ents for inspection Of troops From
the reports Of those officers l 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 it. in sudden emer-
gencies, the aid of d large body Of volunteers
educated in the performance Of military du-
ties.
AN EXPOSED SEACOAST.
again call your attention to the present
condition of our extended seacoast, upon which
are go many large cities whose wealth and i'm
portance. to the country would, in
ern armored ships, against which our
existing defensive works could give no ade
quate protection. Those works were built be-
fore the introduction of modern heavy ritiej
guns into maritime warfare; and if they are
not put in an efficient condition, we may easily
lie subjected to humiliation by hostile power
greatly inferior to ourselv es. As germaEe TO
this subject l call your attention to the lm-
portance of peri citing our submarine torp- { Q
defenses.
The board authorized by the last con-
eress 10 report on the methods for the
manufacture of heavy ordnance. and
Cd fo
tied the principal iron aud steel works
in this country and in Europe. 1t is hoped thu.
it's report will be soon made, and that congre SO
will thereupon be disposed to provide suitable
facilities and plans for the manufacture of
such guns as are now imperatiyely needed.
The secretary OF the navy reports that, under
the authority Of the acts Of Aug. 8. 1882, and
March 8, 1883, 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
4. 500 tons displacement. and the Boston and
built of steel, with the tensile strength and
ductility 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 Dolphin. to
is intended to serve as fleet dispatch boat,
The double turre.ed monitors Puritan, Amphi-
trite and Terror have been launched on the
Delaware river, and 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 the completion Of tie
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 WATERWAYS.
The secretary urges the Immediate creation
Of On 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. 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 an auspicious time for putting this branch
, of the service IN state of efficiency 1t is nc
part of our policy to create and maintain
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 SO long enjoyed is IN nc
seeming danger of interruptions: yet our naval
strength should be made adequate for the de-
Tense of our harbor., the protection OF our
commercial interests, and the maintenance OF
our national honor-a proposition from winch
no patriotic citizen can withhold his assent