Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-12-07


| legation properly rests. demonstrates its com
plete ability to discharge it, and that. in
consequence, the gradual concentration of
the army ON the seacoast and the frontiers
Is prescribed by the conditions of the time
Any considerable increase in the numbers
OF the army would not meet with popular
favor ana is not suggested by any contin-
gencN. immediate or remote, but the work
of fertilization at 10 of our large seaports.
already begun or projected for the near flu
tire. renders the conversion of n portion Of
the infantry to the artillery arm, a manifest
necessity of the period directly ahead of us
The total strength of the army on Sep
TENDER 30. 1893, was PA officers and p. To-
~ enlisted men. The new quarters. bar
racks and buildings at army posts compare
favorahlv with military structures abroad.
The discipline, health and general condi-
ton are reported good. The secretary rec
ommends strongly the repeal of the law
fixing 10 years as the maximum period of
enlistment, and favOrS reduction Of the
period of first enlistment to three years in
stead of five. The prosecution of the ex
pertinent of enlisting Indian companies will
be continued on the present small scale un-
til its success or failure has been proved
Magazine Rifles and Coast Defcnccs.
The adoption of the new magazine rifle is
the most important step taken for the in
i"i'iN since Ohe civil war limited mum
Der will be completed within 60 DAYS nj the
Springfield arnory, and the entire infantry
force will be equipped with the new arm be-
fore the close of the coming year.
The issue of the new B. steel field guns to
the militia. and in limited Numbers to tho
colleges and schools which manifest n snn-
cial interest in military instruction is sn,,
gested
Work on the coast defcnces of Narraren-
sett hay Charleston Tvhna Road. and +ho
Savannah river at Pensacola will be begun
during the year. Work will be- progressing
next year at ID Of the IS ports proposed for
forttication by the EndicJt board
To Keep pace with the manufactures of
guns Secretary Lamont recommends ample
appropriations for emplacemcnts and bat
tel1es and for the purchase of sites for for
tltcationS. all in accordance with the scheme
adopted in lsSS.
The expenditures for sea coast defenccs
for the wear ending June 30 1893. were
- 100, VA.
Inc invention and manufacture of Amer
lean brown and smokele,s powders for heavy
ordinance and for the magazine rifle have
war urges manufacturers to- solve this prob
l'l.i 'oi '"elr OWN proiIo anu our national
'"''HrH instruction in Coli"gcs-1I Militia.
Tho report pays much attention to the edu
cation of officers and men of the army and
the instruction of the militia and military
schools holding that the short duration of
recent wars demonstrates the important
part of the exact science, in modern war
fare, and that progress in the war depart
ment must be along the lines of national
An increase in the number of cadets at tho
West Point Military academy to meet tbn
demands of higher and more general militia.
ry instruction. is sirgeStc,l for. an porlv doy
n the future.
Growing interest in military instruction
n colleges and schools is reported In 1890 |
II. 1868 students were renortnd undar IN.
lv army officers nj those irstitr-
ions. In 1892 -G3 the number was 10 o;0 |
The secretary recommends that niIit,,,.
Instruction nv army ot,icore bn,,v,,,,,i,,ll =, |
ligh schools of the larpor cities Tho loto.+ |
ctur.ns. the secretary SAYS renort an or-
,anized militia of ll2 50, in the states ~
whom, in round numbers 6OOO are in the mr..
illery arm maintained by 81 States and
5000 in the cayalry noint oinod by1l St,ta.
River ard Harbor improvements
The improvements of the harbors and in.
ernal water ways of the country. a work of
immense consequence to our commerce and
eneral benefit to the people. has made ex-
client progress under the support of the
pcral appropriations oted for that pur
ose. The chief of engineers estimates
hat in the continuance of these works in
ccOrdance with the existing uroi.cts a. |
dopted by Congress. the sum of S3S. 10 6I1
an be expended during the next fl seal
ear. This estimate has been Transmitted
o the secretary OF the treasury rs reouirnd
" law, hut it is not the Indictment of tbo
apartment that public necessitie, demand
he expenditure of such an amount at thi.
me. The average annual amount Actually
xpended for such work during the last III
ears has been about $40. 600 600 aud If i.
elieved that this can be we'll reducnl fo,
be present year, if iudiciously allotted. to
!. 800. 600 the sum fixed in the deunrtnant