The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-03

Secretary Lamont on Seaboard Defence.
The keynote OF Secretary LAMoNT's re-
port Is coast protection. and the methods
he suggests for insuring it make this docu-
ment memorable among those that have
come from the War Office. lie proposes to
convert q portion OF the infantry into artil-
lery. thus providing adequate garrisons for
the new seaboard batteries without increas-
ing the enlisted strength OF the army.
The change thus contemplated is very
important. and the points for consideration
are. first, whether 1t Is necessary. and next
whether 1t is practicable In the way pro-
posed. AS to the first point. We have the
gratifying announcement that by the end
of this present month there will be ready
for mounting no fewer than sixty-three
heavy high-power rifles OF the 12-inch.
10-inch. and 8-inch calibres. and also sew
enty-flve 12-inch breech-loading mortars.
The Engineer Corps is preparing emplace-
ments for these guns at Portland. Boston.
NewYork. Washington. Hampton Roads. and
San Francisco. and next year will be at work
upon new batteries at seven additional
points on the seacoast. For it must be re-
membered that the West Troy factory can
now construct and deliver every year forty
two heavy guns OF the calibres Just men
toned. while the Bethlehem Iron Works ara
building Q hundred heavy guns. Of which
the first installment will be due next year.
Mr.. LAMONT. therefore. urges liberal appro-
priatlons this winter. both for emplace-
ments and for the purchase OF land needed
as the sites OF new forts. Meantime. the
foregoing facts show that. with great in
crease in the number Of seacoast batteries
and in the size OF the guns. the artillery
force must be augmented.
But can this increase be wisely effected by
turning portion of the infantry into artil-
leryl Secretary LAMONT answers that it
is safe to assume that Indian warfare Ia
practically ut an end; and. indeed. while
outbreaks from special causes. such as the
late Messiah delusion. must still be guarded
against. the progress Of the red men in
civilization. their taking Of land in sew
crafty. and the training Of their youth to
the ways OF peace. should make Indian hos
tilities exceedingly rare. save by tho gross
est mismanagementO OF GoveTnment officers.
Besides, the extension OF railroads in all
directions permits the rapid concentration
OF troops even from distant garrisons, while
the infantry viii be rendered more effective
by the adoption Of the new magazine rifle.
which Mr.. LAMONT calls the most important
step taken for them since the civil war.
Another purpose for which troops were
once thought to be required was that OF
preserving order within the States. But
the law OF Congress prohibiting the use of
the army as q posse cOmitatus has been fol-
lowed by q large increase in numbers and
efficiency Of the National Guard. the sys-
tenn OF target practice and annual camps
greatly helping them. Thus. the likelihood
OF calls by the States upon the Federal forces
for assistance. even in the exigeney pro-
yided for by the Constitution. Is also greatly
In Texas We find the Rio
Grands frontier constantly requiring at
tention, but generally 1t may be said that
the field duties demanded. at least of the in
fantry. have become less frequent than
formerly. while Mr.. LAMONT does not pro-
pose 10 decrease the cavalry.
As to the way In which the transfer OF
infantry 70 artillery may best be Effected.
there are differences OF opinion, One
method would DO that Of turning over regi-
ments bodily. and this might DO the sim
plest. for. although the Infantry officers
have not made a speciality Of artillery.
they are supposed 10 have a knowledge OF
that arm. Another plan would be the In
crease Of the artillery regiments TO seven.
with such = reduction In the number of
First Leutenants as would allow the on