The Portland daily press., 1890-11-17
Coast Defence.

Coast DefenC0s
Or. this subject the report says:
"a modern land battery constitutes per-
manent defence upon battlefield, chosen
in advance, where no flanking is possible
and where an enemy must force his way or
abandon the attack. In such contest ships
of war are placed under every disadvantage
The channel is selected where their deploy-
ment is difficult, while they are at the GEN.
ter of a concentrated fire from many dis
persed guns.-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 naval force. They
can not be blown up by dynamite nor sunk
by vertical fire. They can support any
weight of armament, and can protect them
selves by any weight of earth, or stone. or
iron. For accurate aim they have the solid
earth for foundation. They also have the
cooperative d of Our own navy, OF torpe-
does, and submarine mines. and other ac-
cessorv means of defence. When our prin-
cipal cities, our harbOrs and our navy yards
are thus protected, then our coasts Will be
safe, and our navy and our increasing COM
merce will have safe ports of refuge, where
there can be repaired, re-coaled and rehtted.
Under the fOrtihcati0n act OF last session
positions for As mortars in three groups Of 16
each, and for three of the new long range
guns will be prepared in New \ ork harbor;
for one group of m0rtars and one gun In
Boston harbOr; and for one group of NOR
tars and two guns in San Francisco. AS
this Is a matter In which makeshifts from
year to year are both expensive and destruc
tive of the object to be attained, l trust that
a fixed policy may be adopted in the line OF
a reasonable yearly appropriation for the
completion of the work on which the nation
is but Just entering. With such policy
manufacturers could safely put in the neces-
sary plants and be able to furnish material
at cheaper rate. With an annual appro-
priation of eight or ten millions-only a 1T
tie more than that of the present year-the
construction and emplacement Of guns and
mortars, works of torpedo defense, for the
whole coast, can be carried on, and in 10
years our principal harbors and cities rem
dered reasonably secure"
Making Big Guns.
Speaking of the work Of the gun factory
at Watervliet Arsenal, the Secretary says
the art of modern gun-making Is now well
inaugurated in this country. The carriages
appearing type. Several designs of this
type are now under manufacture or consid-
Grafton. The 12-inch guns will be mounted
on platforms which will be raised in position
for firing by an elevator, and then lowered
out of reach of the enemy's fire to be reload
ed and aimed, except where the position Is
at such an elevation as to make this unnec-
essary for the protection of the gunners. A
design for such platform and elevator has
been approved, and one is now under con-
struction. The 16.inch guns, If any are
made, will doubtless be mounted in tur-
rets.
Desertions.
Desertions have decreased in number and
a still further decrease is expected under the
operation of the new law passed this year.
The Secretary recommends an increase OF
pay for non-c0mmissioned officers, a first
sergeant now getting S22 month while
second lieutenant receives SIG 76. The
Secretary also recommends a change in the
law providing for promotions from the
ranks doing away with the necessity of the
recommendation by company commanders,
which now makes tavoritism possible. Any
enlisted man of two years service, who is
citizen of the United States, should, under
certain fixed rules, be permitted to compete
alton of the law would be made absolutely
impersonal, and every man entering the
army would be impressed with the fact that
he had an exact and even chance for com.
mission.
Other Matters.
Referring to the growth Of cities and towns
around military posts. the Secretary says
that the place occupied by the post trader is
fast becoming unnecessary, and he recon-
mends that wherever it is possible, the trade
of the posts be allowed to seek natural chan
nels.
An increased appropriation for the Ma
tional Guard Is recommended. The. Secre-
tary believes that such action would be met
by increased appropriation from the states
themselves. He also recommends psovision
for the detail of more officers to serve as In
structors in schools and colleges, the demand
now exceeding the supply.