The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-17

long as an enemy can reach vulnerable
points without exposing himself to our lane
forces, he may infict blows which ".
are unable to parry, and which
may cause losses ill to be endured
A modern land battery constitutes perma-
nent defense upon battle field. chosen ir
advance, where no danking is possible and
where an enemy must force his way Of
abandon the attack. In such contest
ships of war are placed under every disad-
vantage. Modern inventions in the use OF
electricity, high explosives and in rifled
mortars, have resulted strongly in favor OF
the comparative resisting strength of land
Notifications as against a naval force. They
cannot be blown up by dynamite nor sunk
by vertical fire. For accurate aim they
have the solid earth for foundation.
They also have the cooperative aid of our
own navy, of torpedoes and submarine
mines, and other accessory means of de-
Tense. When our principal cities, our har-
bors and our navy yards are thus protected
| and our increasing commerce will have safe
ports of refuge, where they can be repaired,
recoaled and reftted.
with an annual appropriation of eight to
ten fnillions-only little more than that
of the present year-the construction and
torpedo defense, for the whole coast, can be
carried on, and in ten years our principal
harbors and cities rendered reasonably Sc
| cure"
In the matter of armament. the report
continues, fair and promising beginning
in the factory at Wateryliat arsenal and at
Bethlehem, Pa, in turning out heavy ord
nance. and says, 'sthe art of modern gun
making is now we'll inauRurated in this
The subject of the northern frontier is
alan fraQte6 nf and IN this r,oint tho ro-.
port says; proper preparations are not
measures of provocation, but rather of pre-
vention and for the continued preservation
OF peace" The secretary says that
on IL the tba absence 3sss ,;ta. ct any y.P Ptepara
the % event sne Of war with ths powee hodinp
the highway of the st. Lawrence, be in a
more defenseless condition even than the
seaboard cities. Although the United
States cannot, under the agreements of 1917,
build armed vessels on the lakes, to over
match on those waters the force that might
be brought against us, he does not think it
necessary to undertake any elaborate sys-
tenn of defenses. With land forces proper
ly disposed, he thinks this country could
doubtless ward off any danger from this
source, and hence he fully approves the
suggestion of Gen. Schofeld, who advised
troops as nuclei for the concentration of
regular and volunteer troops as emergency
may require.
An increase in the pay of the non-con,-
missioned officers is recommended, SO that
those who enter the service may find in it
recommendation with the same end in
view, is a change in the law relative to the
appointment OF enlisted men to the grade
of second lieutenant. Under the present
law recommendation from a company COM
mander is made an essential qualification.
NuHSe nAnnv Atrrvn
portunity for favoritiam. It is suggested
that any enlisted man of two years. service.
who 10 citizen of the United States,
should, under certain fixed rules, be per
mitted to compete for commission.
On the subject of military posts tie re-
to concentrate its troops at larger posts as
rapidly as the requirements of the service
would permit has been carried out during
the year, and sixteen posts have been given |
up and the reservations turned over to the |
department of the interior, in order
that they might be taken up by the people. |
where it was felt that the presence Of the
troops in those particular localities was no |
longer necessary, and that their maintain
anoe there was making needless extra ex-
pense."
In regard to post traders the secretary
has this to say: During the year the
Licenses Of forty-two post traders have been
revoked, and only two new traders have |
been appointed, leaving the total number
of traders in the service thirty-four. In the
earlier history of the west, when military
posts were generally upon the extreme
frontier, some such system as that of post |
traders was necessary. Since then towns
and cities have generally grown up in the
close vicinity of posts, and which have
merchants who can now furnish to the gar
rison such stores as post trader has usu-
ally kept. It is believed to be wise policy,
to discontinue as rapidly as possible q priv
LEGGED class and permit the trade of null
tary posts outside of regular governmental
supplies to take its regular channels.''
The secretary approves the effort made
70 encourage the national guards of the
states, and suggests more liberal approrria-
lions by the government.
Crow Commissioners to Begin Work.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16.-[Special. THE
Crow commissioners have been directed by
indian Commissioner Morgan to meet at
Il pau1 NovonnheP 81 and tharo |