Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-11-21
PROCTOR'S REPORT
The Secretary of War Reviews
Military Affairs.
PROBLEM OF COAST DEFENsEs
Recommends an Annual Appropriation Of
100000 for Sites for Forts.

New York and Other Ports To be Made
Observation-Disclosures Make Good Sol
diers-Heavy Ordnance Now Made In
This COuutry--EmOiency of the Army
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of the War De-
partment.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.-The annual
report of Secretary of War Redheld
Proctor has just been issued. 1t briefly
reviews the new legislative and ad-
ministrative measures affecting the De-
partment which have been inaugurated
during the present Adminlstrati on, and
gives many interesting details regard
ing the Department, showing that a
great improvement has been made not
only in the coast defenses, but in the
regular service in all its branches.
The Secretary gives the Indians the
credit for showing themselves capable
of becoming good soldiers. The pro-
gress made recently in rified cannon and
small arms is also detailed. Generally,
the work shown by the report ref ects
credit on the Secretary and Govern
ment.
On the subject of coast defenses Sec
rotary Proctor says:
1.-The problem of adequate coast de-
Tense has practically been settled. For
tunately it is not a question of party
politics. Our coast cities, viii CHI in 1856
were we'll protected, in 1890 were de
fenseless.
''Sites for new Notifications have been
selected and engineering work has been
begun on batteries for mortars and en-
placements at New York, Boston, San
Francisco, Hampton Roads and Wash
ington.
1.-Two appropriations of $500, 600 each
for the purchase of sites for fertilization
and sea coast defenses were made by the
last Congress Allotments have been
made under these appropriations for
sites for gun and mortar batteries Al
Glover Cliff in Boston Harbor; Point
Comfort, Fort Wadsworth, Plumb Isl
and, and Sand Point in New York Har
bor Laguna MERGED in San francisco
Harbor, and Sheridan Point on the
Potomac. Proceedings of condemn atior
have been commenced to obtain othel
sites near Fort Wadsworth and For
Hamilton in New York Harbor; Will
loughby Spit in Hampton Roads and
Point Lobos in San Fran ciso Harbor.
''Over one-half of the entire sppro
priation has been allotted and about
$3.50, 900 expended. recommend that
an appropriation of $500, 600 be ex-
pended annually until the important
sites are secured. 1t will require thi
amount for several years to pay for site
as rapidly as they will be needed TO
use, and it is economy to acquire then
as quickly as possible after their loca
| ton has been determined upon"
"The point has now been reached whel
| by the continuance of the present rate
of appropriations for coast defenses
which have been moderate, the worl
can be carried on systematically anc
judiciously. To stop or check the worl
now would be to lose much that ha
been done; to continue will be bot
safety and economy. Each year som
part of it can be completed SO as to be
come available, and thereafter every
gun mounted will add to its efficiency
The Board of Ordinance and Fortifica-
ton in their reporb say: -Four years
continuance of similar Liquidation an
activity and it can no longer be sal
that the United States is defenseles
against foreign powers.
Abiding to the experiment of employ
ing Indians as soldiers. the report says
81 have had an opportunity to person
ally inspect some Of these Indian cavalr
troops and received full reports show
ing the condition of others. In goo
conduct, drill and military bearing, at
tention to duty, observance Of courtesie
and care of horses, arms and equiv
ment, clothing, barracks, mess room
and kitchen, they are at least equal t
soldiers of other races of no greater 81
perience. Satisfactory reports hav
also been received of the progress Of tn
Indian infantry companies.
The report also touches upon desel
tions, post-traders, militia, nationa
cemeteries and other interesting topics
A memorandum of expenditures, appro
priations and estimates shows that th
department spent during the year end
ing June 80, 1891, $51, 400, 1874. SO, RI
ceived $50, 1873, 425 05, and looks forwar
to spending $45, 975, 603. 81 during ii
current year.