The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-29

TEILIGENCER TUESDAY
1nAxxLEs n111IAxx roar.
An Kxtrase Hrea o. Asasa1 Rspsrs ~
Krie. asn. Offs.
0nce IL sossrnmsnt Aas doae rerv
1ittls looking to the protection Il the
Puget sound and adjacent United States
territory contained .szthln the state Of
washington against poss5ble forsagn At
tack: and there. within the last few
ysArs. population has greatly increased.
and important coast cities. now conduct-
tng . considerable international COM
morc4. have been ccnstrncted- No one
doubts thai the time II rapldly approach-
Ing when IN extensive OCEAN trade viii
be carried on between these cities and
IA Asiatic and some Of the European sea-
ports, and wise precautson must suggest
that measures should Be taken as soon
~ practicable to supply these growing
communities with material for lana de-
Tense. Thus far the fan limit AZ govern
ment assistance extended In that direc-
ton has consulted In the selection by ex-
pert army ofzicers Of various points as
sites for defensive fortihcations. which in
most instances the president has declared
shall b reserved for such purposes. and
Of maintaining one or more companies Of
troops. primarily sent there to prevent
Indian depredAtions
During the ten years ending with 1855
thirty-three Of these sites. lying along
the Straits Of Juan de Fuca- the waters
Of Puget sound and Bellingham bay, have
been declared military reservations. and
ten since that time. Some OF the executive
orders Of declaration have been revoked.
. few Of the reservations have been given
up. and maEy os those stu In part exist
Ing have been affected by individual
claims At date Of declaration which have
since been perfected. have been much
reduced In so far a. extent OF government
title therein - concerned. Recent inn
proyements In ordnance. with its greatly
extended range Of fre, have rendered
many CT these sites OF no further prac-
tical Importance Tor military uses. and
should be abandoned The United States
fertilization board 20 found. after an In
spection Of the boundaries of Puget
sound. made few weeks ago to deter
mine the best points at which to con-
struct defensive works. and It reported
but very few Of the many sites still for
maIiy retained by government as suit
able. 1t recommended eleven prominent
points as naturally adapted to such pur-
poses, s1me Of which have never been
covered by declaration end are owned by
individuals, corporations or Indians. or
Ds.eus " eue slass oi asAinston.
onou'u Recommendations 90 approved. u
ufseu tnat al iocauons n the Fusee
eoanu county now neio a. MAitary res
ersations' ana Wnicn tne Ioruncanons
ooafo mas virtually found NOT required
lor dsIensive works. De turned over to
the interior department lor disposition.
ana mat such rs It has reported to be
needed therefor De placed under military
controi. ana ~ proper acquisition u nee
essary. by these means the way will be
opened 1or ene construction OF the gov
eminent defenses which are generally
conceded to be demanded and which un-
douosealy VIII be undertaken as soon as
general financial Improvement admits OF
the requisite appropriations.
As regards protection to the inhabi-
tants OF that section through garrison
posts, It has been in the nature Of police
and OF benefit only In seasons OF Indian
hostilides. Fort Townsend, established
originally In 1853. stun remains and is gar
risoned by single company Of infantry.
The only advantage to be derived from
Its retention consists IN the fact that 1t
furnishes shelter for troops; for as far as
the possibility OF employing Its small gar
rison Is concerned, IN the performance OF
duty for which the army Is maintained. 1t
might almost as well not exist True.
that q detachment was drawn from 1t for
service at Tacoma IN the recent railway
disturbances. out that was because OF the
necessity TO concentrate as large Eaiii-
tary force as possible to successfully exec
cute the instructions OK the war DEPART
ment. II Is only under such pressing ex-
agencies tnat the Townsend garrison
would be summoned from Its secure re-
treat.
In some LOCALITY OF the northern section
OF this state. beyond the Cascade mount
aims. where now dwell 10000 people, parl
OF whom are restless, demonstrative and
oftenttmes turbulent upon fancied provo
cation. and population. too, which Is
destined to be augmented within brief
period OK time. one moderately large gar
rison should De established and perma-
nently maintained The vicinity OF Seat
tie Oilers the most favorable conditions
Tor location. as that IS the center OF
small territory in which the future use