Evening journal., 1890-11-17
WE CAN BUILD BIG GUNS.
And Secretary Proctor Says
They Shoot Accurately.
WANTS BETTER COAST DEFENsEs.

the National Guard Is q Valuable In
stttution and should Receive More Lib
eral Encouragement From Uncle Sam.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE annual re-
port Of Secretary of War Redfeld Proctor
was sent to the president today. Secretary
Proctor says we have little to fear from in
vasion, and are free from the necessity Of
maintaining large standing armies or Of
fortsfyine against land attacks In regard
to our coast defense he says: "But our long
coast line is peculiarly exposed to an at
tack from the sea So long as an enemy
can reach vulnerable points without ex-
posing himself to our land forces he may
infiict blows which we are unable to parry.
No great civilized nation today has more
just cause than ours to look we'll to the
condition of its coast defenses, and none,
since the civil war, has so wholly neglected
them
"A modern land battery constitutes per-
nanent defense upon battlefield, chosen
in advance, where no fanking is possible
and where an enemy must force his way
UA AOaA0Oh lbt ANhANhs III HAJn u G1uAtGt
ships of war are placed every disad-
vantage The channel Is selected where
their deployment is difficult, while they
are at the center Of concentrated fire
from snany dispersed guns. Modern in
ventions in the use OF electricity, high ex-
plosives and Ia rifled mortars have result
ed strongly III favor Of the comparative re-
sisting strength Of land Notifications az
against naval force. They cannot be
blown up by dynamite nor sunk by YER
tical fire. They can support any weight Of
armament and can protect themselves by
any weight Of earth or stone or iron.
For accurate aim they have the solid
earth for a foundation. They also have
the cooperative aid OF our own navy, Of
torpedoes, and submarine mines and other
accessory means Of defense. When our
principal cities, our harbors aud our navy
yards are thus protected then our coasts
win be safe, and our navy and our increas-
ing commerce will have safe ports Of ref
uge.n
Safe In Ten Years Time.
The secretary believes land defenses are
the cheapest TO build and maintain. Con-
tinuing he says: "Under the fertilization
act OF last session positions for forty-eight
mortars in three groups Of sixteen each,
and for three of the new long range guns
will be prepared in New York harbor; for
one group Of mortars and one gun in Bos-
ton harbor, and for one group of mortars
and two guns in San Francisco.
As this is a matter in which makeshifts
from year to year are both expensive and
destructive of the object to be attained,
trust that fixed policy may be adopted in
the line Of reasonable yearly appropria-
tion for the completion of the work With
such policy manufacturers could safely
put in the necessary plants and be able to
furnish material at cheaper rate. With
an annual appropriation Of SS,0OO000 TO
500 0000O-only little more than that Of
. the present year-the construction aud em-
placement Of guns and mortars, works Of
torpedo defense for the whole coast can
be carried on, and in ten years our prin-
cipal harbors and cities rendered reason
ably secure
The Manufacture Of Ordinances.
In regard to the construction Of ord
nance the secretary says a fair and prom
ising beginning has been made. The gun
factory at Wateryliet arsenal has already
turned out completed steel guns OF 3.2, 8.6.
s and 10 inches caliber, which have been
ertiraly satisfactory SO far rs their tests
have proceeded. The 32-inch breech load
ing field gun meets with general approval
in service, aud the firing tests Of the and
10 inch type guns manufactured at Water
vliet nave given excellent results, and
have demonstrated the capability of the
gun factory to turn out modern high pow
er rified steel guns equal TO the very best.
1.-Two type guns, one of 12-inch caliber
and the other 10inch wire wound steel
gun, both breech leaders, and l2-ineh
steel mortar are now under construc-
tion Under the present contract about
thirteen l2-inch cast iron mortars hooped
with steel can be furnished per annum.
Gun Making Well Inaagurated.
"The manufacture Of the forgiugs for
S-inch. 10-inch aud 12-inch breech loading
guns by the Bethlehem Iron works, under
tie appropriation OF sl,5OO,OOO made in the
act OF Sept. p, 1883, is proceeding satisfac-
torily, and it is expected that the contract
will be completed by November, 1898. The
sum appropriated Will procure about six
ty-one guns Of the calibers mentioned Iii
short, the art OF modern gun making il
now we'll inaugurated in this country. The
carriages for the and 10-inch guns will be
of the disappearing type. The l2-inch
guns will be mounted on platforms which
will be raised into position for firing by al
elevator. and then lowered out Of reach OF
the enemy's fire to be reloaded and aimed
A design for such a platform and ele
vator has been approved. and one is now
under construction. The l6 inch guns, i
any are made. will doubtless be MOUNTED
IN turfets.
The National Guard.
The secretary does not think the cities Oh
the great lakes need any elaborate system
OF land defenses. Desertions are on tn
decrease in the army owing to improve
ments ia army legislation. The secretar
recommends the three battalion formatio
for infantry Touching the national guarC
Secretary Proctor says; Being impresse
with the Importance Of an effective militi
as a necessary factor in military organizi
ton, the department. has endeavored b
its cooperation 70 encourage and aid th
national guard so far as possible under el
isting law Officers have been detailed {
assist in their instruction, aud detacl
ments Of regular troops have been ordere
TO participate In some Of the larger stat
encampments.
Under the present law there is annual
appropriated for the benefit Of the militi
S4O0, 900, while the individual states apprt
pirate IN the aggregate over &. 600, 900. an
ia many 5 Is the militia receive also
considerable support from local and privai
sources ] heartily commend every il
telligent effort 20 increase the efficiency
the national guard. and to bring the
into closer relations with the war depar
ment. and hope that measures to that er
may receive favorable consideration
congress. One Of the most useful dire
tions which can be given to the drill al