Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-12-20
QUE COAST DEFENOEs.
General Howard Tells a Reporter
what is Needed.

General o. o. Howard took up his per-
manent quarters on Governors Island
Saturday morning. The general, who on
Friday assumed command Of the division
of the Atlantic, took the 10 80 O'Clock
boat for the island, accompanied by his
son. Els baggage was delivered by
department wagon. Seated in the cabin
of the Governors Island boat, General
Howard talked with q reporter OF the
New York Commercial Advertiser about
our coast defenees.
1.-THE question csn hardly be treated
scientifically in an offhand talk on the
subject he said, shut I have read re-
GENTLY that scientific science Is really the
worst kind of science, and the idea
pleased me.n
The general said that he had never
made personal examination Of the de-
fences OF New York hsrbor. he has
never had the chance, and in bis writings
on tho subject has paid more attention to
the needs of the Pacific coast, because
the defences OF that coast are in much
worse condition than thoge of the At
lantic; Sin fact" he said VIRTUALLY
nothing of the nature Of defence
exists."
II thought this should first be attended
to - he said, sshecause it is farther from
the plant for the manufacturing OF heavy
guns, and will require more time to place
ia condition 10 be serviceable. There are
two things necessary to proper coast
defence-a naval anda land force. 1t Will
never be possible, as some persons seem
TO think, to do away with permanent de-
fences. In cage OF war, which We ell
hope will never come, the naval force
| will be the first defence. but, to be effec-
| tive, navy must be moving and conse-
uusntly is uncertain" and the general
smiled aa his son suggested that yestef-
days effort to move the Heytisn expedi-
| ton had proved the Truth OF that state
ment beyond all question. :.
ITO properly defend our coast cities, :"
continued the general, sit is necessary TO
have effective land Notifications. Those
We have not at present, but We have a
nucleus on which TO build them up. For
years there hos been duel going on bs-
tween armor and ordnance. As heavier
plates of steel were used for building yes-
sells, heavier guns had to be used; but
think the limit has been reached ct last.
You can't use heavier armor without sink
ing the ships, and it is equally impossi-
BILE to use heavier guns, because Of the
enormous expense of building them,
which is too great for any government TO
undertake." =. -.z.
just then General Howard noticed Q
. military-looking man, with his right coat
sleeve empty and Topped up, pacing the
quarter deck.
"Who is that one-armed man oui
there 2" he asked. ~ always feel sorry
for man who has lost his right arm,
| and he glanced at his own empty sleeve
"I'm going 90 speak to him any way.
always want to speak to q one-armed mar
when / see him."
The next minute the two men stood
! with their left hands clasped, and tht
, general discovered that the other was 6
: former army officer who OF one TINT
J during the war of tho rebellion was In hi
I own command.
, After this incident General HOWARD
continued his talk on coast detences. III
, preferred not to say anything about Gen
, Echofield'S proposal to increase thu
i strength Of the artillery branch of tn
/ service, because, in the first place Gen
Schotield was much better posted on tn
artillery byaneh Of the service than him
: self, and that it would be also imprope
for him to discuss the plans of his su
perior officer, either in approval or other
wiae. Speaking of the future of 6yna
mite gums, he said that he he'd paid con
3 adorable attention TO them and though
they might prove effective SO far as thei
! sphere OF action extended, but that, lilE
!, all new inventions, people were inclined
to expect them to accomplish everything
3 General Howard to-day moved into tina
portion Of the headquarters at Governor
: Island which the workman have finished
3 The rest of the house will be ready b.
! next week, when the family furnitur
! will arrive from San Francisco. The ia
: terror Of the house has been entirely re
: fitted Ind repapersd, and when ready 70
occupancy will be pleasant home.