The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-21
THE WAR OFFICE REPORT.

VnE W hIs NI1AS1 A<h NAeA
,rv HExsUREs INAUGURA1ED DURLNt
THIS AMORTIZATION
-. Yrssssn Of Coast Dess,ees rraetseaii,
s.2s,.A-A systen or L.sA Defs.css IL
u.st yapsrtsas Feature-New Steel eun
"a Nsrtars fsr Hertinestsoss ssa In
.r.v,A Steel Oranaseo for Field ana Sicg'
s.,x,ec-A Nax.si.e Snail Arm Not Ys
ss,>steA- sevca Conpssies OF Indian'
p.,,,teA - Regular Soldiers.
WASHINGTON. Nov 20-secretary Of Wa
pr,ctor. IN his annual report. summarizes tn,
80 Isoislative and administrative measure,
sSsrtins the department which have beer
,rsnourated during the present Administra
ton q follows:
an the line Of coast defence sites for forti
s,.Hons have been procured. and engineering
-o,t has been begun ON batteries for mortars
.nd emplscements for guns at New York. Bos.
Ar. Ran Francisco. Hampton Roads, and WASH
ineton, The north wing and centre section OF
~ aun factory at watervliet has been com.
,istsd and 10 nearly equipped. A south wing.
Soubiipe the capacity. IL now being con-
strusted Provision has already boon made
sor tho manufacture by tho Government OF
r,nsty. sight breech-loading steel riied guns
~ high power. and 100 moro have been con-
tr.oted for with private manufacturers. A
runnly Of submarine mines and seventy hree
rvsiye.inch mortars are also under construc-
ton.
"ror the improvement OF the enlisted force
nav methods Of recruiting have been adopted.
Itis carried on more in small towns and rural
communities. and the recruits are hold on pro-
hstion and their sntecedents carefully inquired
into. The ration has been increased by the
addition Of ono pound Of vegetables daily.
soldiers are now entitled to discharge at the
ssd Of three years OF faithful service. and are
psrmitted to purchase their discharge at any
time sftsr ono year. Summary courts have been
sssblished for the speedy trial Of petty offences
II tho mon desire 1t. competent officers are
assigned to defend them before courts mar
tsl. Punishments under the articles OF war
IN time Of peace have been defined and limited.
Sunday inspections and tattoo roll call have
been abolished. and schools and Gymnasia
established. These. together with the specific
measures undertaken for that purpose. havo
reduced the percentage Of assertions to a
lower point than ever beforo In the history OF
inc 0Imy, anu Ill LILO AooS ycoE hAto X6uuC6u
the number Of inmates In our military prisons
over 20 per cent
"A system Of examination Of officers for
promotion has been established. and their
promotion. with the exception OF ore grade.
has been put upon lineal basis throughout
the army. The retired list has been relieved
By appropriate legislation. An efficiency rec
ord Of officers has been kept. enabling their
fora al Antu IN hn khuk
basis.
In pursuance Of . policy Of concentrating
the troops in larger posts. about one-fourth Of
tho number Of posts occupied in 1880 have
bean abandoned. and the reservations turned
over to the Interior Department The employ
msnt Of contract surgeons. in addition to the
regular medical corps. has been nearly dis
pensed With. The licenses Of most post traders
hsve been revoked: The enlistment Of Indians
81 e & oses ssos1ss hs. s ss de-
ion records have BEEN pISiisSsd much more
GnaSs 81 so1 asr and
The Record .n daYs Daen
'ssn sxpedited. and the preservation 81 these
ard oemplstion: WHOM finished 600 CLERKS |
sa BE- discharged or transferred to other do
The report says that the problem of sde-
uate coast defenoe has practically been |
I land defenoes ssfts most Important feature
he cost Of land de{ences has not Increased as |
spidly ss the cost OF the means Of attacking
u but enos Su sss cost 'e 81
hem can be reduced to the minimum. Neither
y but Dsy %ss s. Nth ses s%
luther stTsnstSsnins L required. and capable
@ounnng larger guns nscesSary.
Fsss. 1liotments have been made under
e dSvs se S fof aqBa soa
ia%S t.laHd. ana Band Point in T New 2ort
o., and shsridsn Point on The fotomac P fs
aslsed e ebtal9 other sites near Fort wads-
I'd Point tobes In San Francisco 6arbor 9 oSer
o e t and s sSous ] hss
ns'aa on, & titles * re DeDstment 81
ne next i've months. but It Will not be SUM-
'ient to pay the awards Of juries in cases now
BE that an
otsnt sites are secured. It will require this
iN ths ssysEa years tS Pay for sites
.D.uy = tuey Will Do n0eQeQ IOr use, ana IL ID |
economy 70 acquire them as quickly as posi-
pom.
Two batteries. each for sixteen Pinch NOR
\ ~ and emplacements for two 12-iuch. two |
o-lnch. and four S.inoh guns are now in !
!ocess OF construction for tho defence Of
., FORK also one battery for sixteen Pinch
, 10y and emplacements for one 10-inch
aa' WITH TWO more 10 preparation. at Boston:
ao emPlafements for two 10-inch guns, with
% l0:inoh aid three 13-inch In prepare
Sn % San hranciscoi for two 1O-inch guns
hssmpton Roads. and for two 10-inch guns at
,ssnington Progress has also been made In |
tiEMdins. suitable supply Of submarine
inee; A considerable number are on hand
upder contract for the defence OF New YORK,
~ franeisco, Boston. Hampton Roads, Phila-
and Charleston. and some
ne mining classmates for operating them |
Y completed or under contract at these ports |
p at Portland. Me. Contracts have also been
,Sas Tor the early delivery Of seventy three
shch cast-iron rtded mortars hooped with
esl Of pattern known to DO ssrviceablo.
lough probably not equal to an all-steel
instruction now under test
Inc department has been obliged. on ac- ,
,unt o. the financial embarrassment OF the
'nTactors. to extend the time until January.
pnL and July. 1892. for the delivery Of the
y guns contracted for with the Pneumatic |,
,h,mi Gun Company for Sandy Hook. Fort
,nuyiet. Fort Warren. and San Francisco.
y IL o. these guns was to be S-inch and nine
, !. tnem l5.inch calibre. Three OF the latter r
N n " law, to be mounted on the Pacific coast. :
y, .n 70 point has now been reached when by /