The record-union., 1891-11-21
THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
OF WAR.

All bEEO61 OE IHE SECRETARY
OF WAR.
The report of the Secretary of War for
the year 1891 is at hand. The points of
interest to the general public are so
clearly stated by Secretary Proctor that
there can be no misrepresentation con-
corning the facts and recommendations
made
lie informs the country that sites for
Notifications have been procured, and
engineering work has been begun on
batteries for mortars, and emplacements
for guns, at New York, Boston, San
Francisco, Hampton Roads and Wash
1ngton, and that a portion of the gun fac
tory at Watervliet has been completed
and nearly equipped. Provision has also
been made for the manufacture of ninety
eight breech-loading steel rifed guns of
high power, and one hundred more have
been contracted for, while a supply of
submarine mines and seventy three 12-
inch mortars are also under construction.
Coast defense is therefore being well
looked to.
1t is gratifying to learn that recruiting
is under reformation, and now more con-
ducted in rural parts and less in cities.
and that probationary system has been
established. This ought to result in rails
ing the character Of the personnel of the
army. Sunday inspections and tattoo
roll-call have been ahandOnad a,,6 coL ools
- and gymnasiums established.
Pursuing the policy of concentration
in large posts, about one-fourth of the
posts occupied in 1889 have been aban-
doned and the lands returned to the
Interior Department. The compilation of
the military records has so far advanced
toward completion that before long six
hundred clerks can be dispensed with.
The matter of adequate coast defense
has been practically settled. The history
of policy and action of the Government in
tais matter is sketched, but it is un-
necessary to reproduce it; the conclusion
reached from all the study given the sub
ject by competent boards since 1885 has
taken form in legislation that inaugu-
rated the present definite policy in re-
spect to coast defenses.
This policy contemplates system of
land defenses, for they are cheapest to set
mp, most effective and maintained at least
cost. A million dollars were set aside by
the last Congress for purchase of a por-
ton Of the sites for these sea-coast de-
fenses. Of this sum over S350,OO0 have
already been expended, and $500, 900 an
nually is advised until all necessary sites
are secured. The guns now being made
to equip the new defenses are breech-
loading steel rifles of high power. Eight
inch, 81; ten-inch, Sc; twelve-inch, so.
These will be completed in 1893. Twenty
four will be finished next year and forty
in 1894. After that forty-five year can
be turned out, while from eight to four
teen year can be turned out from the
bethlehem one hundred-gun private con-
tract. From this statement it will be
seen that within the next three years, at
the outside, the United States coast de-
fenses will be equipped with batteries
quite sufficient for our needs for this CEN
tury. For, in addition to the manufact-
ure referred to, there are being con-
structed mortar batteries for New York
and Boston, and seventy-three twelve
inch ri1ed mortars hooped with steel.
Besides these there are being made ten
dynamite guns, one eight-inch and nine
fifteen-inch, and three of these are to be
mounted upon the Pacific Coast.
Field and siege artillery for regular
troops and the militia has been produced
or is approaching completion as follows:
One hundred and twenty-five 3.2-inch
steel field guns, twenty-five 9.6-inch
heavy field steel guns, sixteen 3.6-inch
steel field mortars, eleven fve-inch
breech-loading steel rifles for siege serv-
ice, eleven seven-inch breech-loading
steel howitzers for siege service.
The Secretary reports fewer desertions
than in any other year in our history.
From 14.S per cent. in 1920 the diminu-
ton has run down to 5.S per cent, and
the Secretary believes it will reach 2 per
cent. In recruiting step long needed
has been taken-that is. the character OF
recruits is inquired into, SO as to exclude
men of questionable habits or reputation.
and recruits are not accepted until they
produce satisfactory evidence of good
character. and in cases of doubt they are
held on probation. The maximum age
has been reduced five years, so that now
recruits must be under thirty. The Sec
retary thinks that even this should be re-
auced and no re-enlistment allowed, ex-