The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-12-12

is defence Of his views. At
the adjournment Of Congress the mum
Der OF Internal-Reyenue collection
districts was l26 ; by an Executive or
der dated January %. 1883, direct
ed that certain of these districts be
consolidated. The result has been a
reduction of one-third of their
number, which at present is but So.
THE RED MAN OF THE FOREST.
From the report OF the Secretary
OF War 1t VIII be seen that in only
q single instance has there been any
disturbance Of the quiet condition of
our Indian tribes. A raid was made
from Mexico into Arizona bva small
party of Indians, which were pursu-
ed by Gen. Crook into the mountain
regions. from which they had come.
tits 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 peace
able submission
SEA-CoAsT DEFENsES.
Iagain call your attention to the
present condition of our extended
sea coast, upon which are so many
large cities. whose wealth and impOr-
tance 10 the country would, in time
OF war, invite attack from modern
armed ships, against which our eN-
isting defense works could give no
adequate protection. These works
were built before the introduction of
modern heavy rifled guns into mar
inc warfare, and if they are not in
an effective condition we may easily
be subjected to humiliation by
hostile power greatly inferior to our
selves.
As germane to this subject ! call
your attention 10 the importance of
perfecting our submarine torpedo
defense. The Board authorized by
the last Congress to report OF the
method which should be adopted in
the manufacture of heavy ordnance
for modern warfare has visited the
principal iron and steel works in
this country and in Europe. 1t Is
supposed that its report will soon
he made, and that Congress will
thereupon be disposed to provide
suitable facilities and plans for the
manufacture OF these guns are now
imperatively needed.
ENCOURAGEMENT OF STATE MILITIA.
On several occasions the past
wear officers of the army have. at
the request of tie State authorities,
visited their militia encampments
for the instruction of the troops.
From the reports of these officers /
am induced 10 believe that the en-
couragenent of the State militia
organizations by the Government
would be followed by very gratify-
ing results, and would afford it, in
sudden emergency. the aid ola large
body of volunteers enured in the
performance Of military duty.
CoNNiEbcE IL THE VALLEY OF THE
CONGO.
The rich and populous valley of
the Congo is being opened to COM
mtrce by a society called the Inter
national African Association. of
which the King ct the Bulgariaus is
President and citizen of the United
States the chief executive officer.
Large tracts of territory have been
reded 70 the Association by nitive
chiefs. Roads have been opened,
steamboats, placed on the rivers, and
the nucleus Of states established at
twenty-five stations under one flag,
which offers freedom to commerce
and prohibits the slave trade. The
objects of the society are philanthrO-
pic. 1t does not aim at permanent
political control. but seeks the neu-
tralIty of the valley The. United
States cannot be indifferent to this
work, nor to the interests Of their
citizens involved in 1t. II may
become advisable for the United
States 10 cooperate with their COM
mercial powers IN promoting the
rights Of trade and residence in the
Congo Vallv, free from .he interfer-
ence or political control of any one
nation.
STRENGTHENING TIE NAVY.
The Secretary of the Navy reports
that under the authority OF the acts
of August ), 1882. and march 3,
1888, the works OF strengthening our
Navy by tpe construction Of modern
vessels has been assiduously begun.
The cruisers are in process of con-
struction the Chicago, of 4 500 tons
displacement, and the Boston and
Atlanta, each OF $500 tons. They
are to be total steel, with the tensile
strength virtually prescribed by law.
Endurance and armament are ex-
pected to compare favorably with
the best unarmed war vessels Of 9TH
er nations. A fourth vessel. the
Dolphin, is to be constructed OF SINH
lar material, and is intended 10 serve
as a feet dispatch boat.
The double turreted monitors
Puritan, Amphitrite, and Terror
have been launched on the Della
ware River, and a contract has been
made for the supply OF their mi chin
cry. y similar monitor, the Mon
adeock, has been launched in Cali
tornia.
The Naval Advisory Board and
the Secretary have recommended the
completion of the monitors. the con-
struction OF four gun boats, and also
of three additional steel vessels like
the Chicago, Boston, and Dolphin,
as an important measure of material
defense. The Secretary urges, also,
the immediate creation of an interior
coast line of water ways across the
peninsula of Florida, along the coast
from Florida to Hampton Roads,
between the Chesapeake Bay and
the Delaware River, and through
Cape Cod.
/ feel that to impress upon the at
tention Of Congress the necessity Of
continued progress in the recon-
strucuon of the Navy, the condition
Of the public trersury, as | have al