Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-12-16
ARMY AND NAVY.
,sr,r. .,-.,

Ihe report or the secretary Of war gives a de-
tilled account OF the administration of his de-
partnent. and contains sun,iry recommended
lions Tor the improvement or the service which
fnily approve. The army consisted, a. the
GATE OK the last consolidated return, of 2,lo3
elhcer8 and p. 946 enlisted men. The expenses
o. the department. for the last fiscal year were
sS6;99aoo32S including SO, 294. 305 AZ for
puoiic works and river and harbor fmnrove
ments. especially direct the attention OF the
csn2ress to-the Recommendation that officers DO
required 10 submit to an examination as a pre-
urinary TO their promotion. 1 see no oh
leelion but many advantages in adopting
TINS featare, which has operated so bench
claily IN our navy department., as wei
a. In some branches OF the army.
The snbjsct OF coast detenses and Notifications
mas been fuily and carefully treated bv the board
on terttneatlons, whose report was submitted at
the last session OF congress-, but no constructed
Work OF the sind recommended by the board has
been possible during the past year from the lack
OF appropriations Tor such purpose The defense
less condition of our sea coast and lake frontier
Is perfectly palpable. The examination made
must conviace us all that certain OF our cities
named in the report OF the board, should be
fortified, aud that work on the most important
ol these fortincations should be commenced at
once The work has been thoroughly considered
and laid out, the secretary OF war reports brt
ali IS cefaved in default of congress- onal action
fhe absolute necessity, judged by all standards
OF prudence and foresight, OF preparation for
an enecSnal resistance against the armored shps
and steel guns aud mortars of modern con-
strnction, which may threaten the cities on cur
coasts IL so apparent that hope effective steps
VIII be taken in that direction immediately The
valuable and suggestive treatment of the ques,-
tlon BY the secretary OF war Is earnestly COM
nended to the consideration OF the congress-
TEE APACHE WAR
In September and October last the hostile
Apaches. who, under the leadership Of Geron-
limo. had Tor eighteen months been on the war
path and daring that time had committed many
murders and been the cause OF constant terrors
70 che settlers OF Arizona, surrendered 10 Gen.
Miles. the military commander who succeeded
Gen. Crook in the MANAGEMENT and direction Of
their pursuit. Under the terms OF their sur
render. as then reported, aud in view of the uu-
deTstandlng which these murderous savages en-
tertsin OF the assurances giyed them IL Ma con-
sidered best TO lmprisou them In such manner
as 10 prevent their ever engaging IN snch out
RACES again. instead OF trying them for murder.
Fort Picgens having been select ed as afe place
OF confinement, all the adult males were sent
thithcr and viii be closely guarded as prisoners.
In the meantime the residue of the band, who,
tho1gh still remaining upon the reservation,
Were regarded as unsafe and suspected of fur
nlshing aid 70 those on the warpath. had been
children OF the hostiles were also taken there,
snd arrangements have been made for putting
the children Of proper age In Indian schools.
THE NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT.
The report OF the secretary of the navy con-
tsins detailed report Of the condition OF his de-
psrtment, with scch statement of the action
needed TO improve the same as should challenge
the earnest attention OF congress. The present
navy of the United StStes aside from the ships
in course OF construction. consists Of: First.
fourteen single-turreted monitors. none of which
IN commission, nor at the present time
seryiceable. The batteries OF these ships are
sbsolete, aud they can only be relied upon
auxiliary ships in harbor defense, and then after
such an expenditure upon them as might not be
deemed justifable. Second, five fourth-rate
vessels OF small tonnage, only one of which was
designed rs war vessel Third. twenty seven
cruising ships three of which ara built OF iron,
Of small tonnage, and twenty-four OF wood. OF
these wooden vessels, It is estimated by the
faF 1~fa of
serviceable beyond period Of six years, at
which time IL may be said that Of the present
naval force not hing worthy the name will remain
All the vessels heretofore authorized are under
contract In the course OF construction. except
the armored ships, the torpedo and dynamite
the bids were in excess OF the limit fixed by
congress. The production in the United States
of armor and gun steel Is question which 1t
seems necessary to settle at an early day II the
arrnored war vessels are to be completed with
these materials OF home manufacture. Tn has
been the subject OF Investigation by two boards
and by two special committees of congress
within the last three wears. The report OF tho
gun foandrv board in 1884, OF the board en-
Notifications made in January last. and.the re-
ports Of the select committees OF the two houses
made at the last session of congress, have en-
tirely exhausted the subject SO far as preiimi-
nary Investigation is involved. and in their rec
concentrations they are substantially agreed.
In the event that the present invitation OF the
department for bids TO furnish such OF this ma
teriat as Is now authorized shall fail to induce
domestic manufacturers 10 undertake the large
expenditures required to prepare for this new
manufacture, and no other steps are taken by
congress at it's coming session. the secretary
contemplates with dissatisfaction the necessity
OF obtaining abroad the armor and the gun steel
for the authorized ships. 1t would seem desir-
able that the wants OF the army and the navy IN
this regard should be reasonably met, and that
by uniting the contracts such inducement might
be offered as would result in securing the do
msstication Of these important interests