Evening journal., 1895-11-09
MILES WANTS MILLIONS
For Coast Defenses on Both
Sides of the Continent.
BETTER FoRTIFIoATIoNs NEEDED.

New York City Not Yet sufficiently Pro-
tected by Heavy Guns at Sandy Hook.
Various Recommendation In the Com
mandcr's First Report.
WASHINGTON, Nov 9.-An important
exposition of the defenseloss condition Of
The coasts Of the United States is made by
Major General Nelson A. Miles, COM
handing the army in his annual report
TO the secretary of war.
This report is the first that General
Miles has submitted in his capacity as
major general, commanding the army, Z
and considerable space is given up to the
necessity Of taking some steps to protect
our seacoast. General Miles has studied
all Of the coasts Of the country. He has
surveyed the greater portion Of them him
self and has gathered information from
reports which have been submitted to him
by boards Of officers appointed TO make a
thorough inspection OF the several coasts.
General Miles says that the United
States in its present condition is practical
ly at the mercy Of a fourth rate naval pow
er, which could lombard the ports Of the
country and obtain from them an indem-
nifty which would not only lift its nation
al debt, but which would enable IL so TO
increase its sea power as to make It a very
difficult matter for us to drive it away.
A first class naval power could undoubt-
edly so occupy and blockade the coasts Of
the country as to cripple the military
power of the government.
General Miles has made an estimate
that our country might be placed under
an indemnity TO the extent Of billions Of
dollars. There are millions and millions Of
dollars worth Of destructiblo property on
the coast within reach of the naval YES
sells, and some steps should be taken TO
preserve it from harm. General Miles has
previously pointed out that the indem-
nifty which a foreign power might levy
need not necessarily be in the shape Of
money, for, he has said the staple prod
ucts Of the country would be just as valu-
able to any foreign nation. There are a
number Of strategic points on the Pacific
coast to whose defenseless condition he
particularly refers, which, II captured by
an enemy, could be made into veritable
Gibraltars.
New York Needs More Defenses.
General Miles thinks that New York is
not well enough fortified, and he is anx-
ious that steps should be taken immedi-
ately TO hasten the work on fortincations
on all the coast so that at any time we
may be ready for war, since. when a war
breaks out there is generally no time to
prepare. He has suggested that within
four years much of this work should be
completed. At the present rate Of progress
It would require 10 or 20 years to put our
coasts in proper condition for defense
II has been estimated that to fortify all
our coasts would cost in the neighborhood
of 1926, 600, OOO To put the Pacific coast
in proper condition Of defense would re-
quire in the neighborhood Of 375 modern
guns and mortars, with their proper car
riages and munitions. 1t has also been es-
timated that their cost would be some
thing like s31, 600, 900. General Miles has
recommended in the past that $3.50. 600
be appropriated TO perfect titles TO strate-
gic points necessary to be occupied for the
defense Of the Pacific coast; that 81, 0OOE
600 be appropriated for the establishment
of a plant to be constructed under the di-
recton Of a board OF officers of the army
and navy TO be ordered by the president
for the construction of effective guns and
war materials for both army and navy on
the western coast, and that S25 600, 600,
or such portion of it as could be utilized
in four years, be authorized to be expend-
cd for the construction Of the most i'm
proved and effective guns and war materi-
ais as will be required On that coast. 1t is
believed that General Miles makes recon-
mendations of a somewhat similar char
acter in his annual report He has also
urged the appropriation Of a large sum for
the erection Of Notifications for the pro-
lection of the Atlantic coast. Suggestions
are also made with reference TO the great
lakes