New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-21
NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Tho subject Of seaboard defence will newt
ably be revived at the present session of Con-
p1ess. II is question that should be taken out
of politics, since the most influential leaders
of both parties have united in recommending
measures of National defence. The Republic
cans gave an unbroken support to Senator
IIawley's Fortifications bill last year. no dls-
tinguished member of the Senate or the House
dissenting from the recommendations Oh inc
Gun Foundry and Notifications boards. Mr.
Blaine, in his recent review OF the PRESIDENT
message, strongly urged the immediate adop-
ton Of systematic measures for placing inc
important harbors of both scaboards in state
of defence. Mr.. Tidcn, who, with all deier-
ence TO the views Of Mr.. Lowell and the Eng
lish press, must be regarded as the greatest
Democratic statesman Of the generation, be-
oueathed this policy to his party in almost the
last public utterancc of his career. While the
Notifications bills were smOthcred in the
House at the last session, it was evident that
there was increased interest on the Democratic
side in the general subject of National defence.
We may take too hopeful view of the attitude
Of the Democratic leaders of the House. but arc
encouraged to believe that substantial progress
will be made in the direction of coast defence
during the present session.
The Democratic Administration deserves
credit for anticipating the action of Congress
in demonstrating the manufacture of war mate
rial This was not an original policy with
Secretary Whitney, since his predecessor had
pointed out the way and the means. but he is
to be heartily commended for his contracts
with the Bethlehem works for gun metal and
armor plates. If the country were suddenly
exposed to danger from war; the lack OF
modern artillery and of the plant for producing
it would be the chief source of weakness Ihls
is the point at which any adequate system OF
National defence must begin In an emer-
gency the American scaboards could rapidly
be fortified, but the industries requisite Tor
manufacturing heavy ordnance and war mate
rial on a large scale could not be introduced
without protractcd delay. The two Hawley
bills which passed the Senate last winter con-
tain provisions for establishing gun factories
and demonstrating these industries The pas
sage of these measures. with modlhcations
that may be found necessary, is the first step
to be taken if Congress desires to act with
intelligence and prudence
When the plant required for these industries
of modern warfare has been obtained on Amer
lean soil and the art of making big guns has
been acquired, well-digested schemes OF har-
Dor and coast defence should be
adopted with deliberation and without
haste. Nothing would be easier than
legislation arming an Administration
with enormous appropriations and IN
limited discretion for building fortihcations
and vessels for harbor defence; and millions
of treasure might be squandcred on what would
be condemned at the end of ten years as
futile system There is no need of precipltate
haste. Wasteful ornaments are not required.
The building of Notifications, like the recon-
struction of the Navy, should proceed year by
wear with due regard for the scientific condl-
tons of the problem of National defence AT
the same time there should be gradual and
proportional development of the naval
and artillery services. Naval reorganization
schemes like the one discussed last winter in
Congress are not to be seriously advocated,
but practical measures for increasing the ell
cheney of the service are needed, as every IN
telligent officer of the Navy well knows. An
important council of artillery officers recently
prepared bill for the reorganization OF that
arm of the military service. The PROJECT,
albeit of the most radical character, has re-
ccived the approval Of General Schofield and
deserves careful consideration during the pres
ent session of Congress.