New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-29
NEED OF COAST DEFENCE.
GENERAL sCHoFIELD URGES EXTENSIVE
FORTIFICATIONS.

XHE PLANS OF The AhMi If NHrNi'iSS NS-'
WOULD MAKE THE sEAPoRTs' IMPREGNA- o.
BLE-A CHAT WITH THE RETIRING
HEAD. OF THE ARMY.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUNE]
Washington, Sept. 2s-"The paramount need OF
this Government from a military standpoint Is
the immediate and thorough fertilization OF us
immense coast line. for in that defence alone
rests the future security Of this great country
said General John NJ. Schofeld. who will to-rnor-
row retire from the head Of the Army. In con-
versation to-day. From the very nature OF
things" he continued. "our chief reliance in case
of war with foreign Power must be placed In
the defences that line our coasts. and upon them
II seems to me, cannot expend too much
money so long as their construction is conducted
economically and with proper regard for the
end sought to be accomplished. The Army has
prepared plans which, II carried out will make
an attack upon any Of our sea coast cities an I'M
possibility: they will be impregnable and we
should from a spirit of patriotism and for our
own protection, carry this great work to as
epeedy a conclusion as possible consistent with
the magnitude OF the task.
"Our fast cruisers would be able to make war
on us by foreign Power an expensive pastlme'
through their ability to pursue and destroy the
con merce Of that country but our great battle
Ships could not carry the war TO the fore'gn
coast for the reason that We have no coaiing
stations beyond our territorial limits England
could however. send her warships TO our very
coast and 1t is the great sea power OF other
nations with which we have to cope in the mat
ter of our defences. Not being able to compete
with such Power on the seas, and having no
desire to enter into policy of conquest II De-
hooves u.s. 1t seems TO me. TO make ourselves
ell-powerful In repelling the advances OF such
nations as may in the future, assume an att-
tude entirely too aggressive for the dignity OF
This Nation and our sense OF justice to
Withstand.
THE Army is matter OF secondary considera-
ton compared with the defences to which have
referred although l believe in the Army, and
think 1t could be increased with profit to the
whole country. and without fractrring the ira
d.tions of the Nation. That 1t is too small Is
apparent It's immediate weakness is most ap-
narent in the artillery. Our army. as at present
constituted Is in conformity with a statute
nassed years ago when the population Of the
United States vastly less than 1t now Is.
Despite our wonderful increase In population,
we have gone on with the same military es-
Establishment and, unlecs some sudden contingency
abouId arise to make the demand for an In
crease imperative, II looks as IL we would con-
,,nue as we now are. Our army Is might say,
mir National police, but 1t has answered Its
nurnose excellently and has given the country,
when called upon. excellent service.
DANGER FROM A FOREIGN FOE
1.-THE dangers the Army has to confront are ap-
narent to US Instruction and riot do not meet
us Unexpectedly and without warning. We can
600 and realize the conditions that lead up to
Them and prepare in time to meet them. Should
.he Army not be able to put into subJecticn dis
rordant elements or quell Instruction the Presi-
dent can call volunteers or the state militia into
the field; Congress Is at hand to meet the emer-
gency and patriotic men are not wanting 10 Mi
the ranks and swell the Army to any proportions
needed With regard to a foreign foe. the case Is
different and we could not place our reliance In an
army however we'll drilled and efficient 1t might
be Time Is required to prepare for this foreign
foe Years are needed in which to put our har-
bors and Our large cities In condition to with
stand the besieging guns Of men-of- war, and pre-
vent that vast destruction that must inevitably
come from policy that fails in time of peace to
prepare for war. For that reason am now, and
. nave always been, ardent in my championship Of
Y eea-coast defences. and / glad 20 know that
the time is approaching, If 1t is not already at
hand when the legislative branch OF our Govern
anent realizes the situation. and will provide the
sinews Of war. If Congress were minded to give
the army all the money needed for this work, 1t
could be cOnsummated within two or three years
by throwing all the forces Of the Government at
work upon that particular task: at the present
rate II will take ten times many years. II one
half the money appropriated by every Congress
Sor the improvement OF the rivers and harbors
were expended for the fertilization OF our coasts
and the protection Of our great ports and money
centres these fortlhcations would soon be COM
t,f
though, but there is plenty Of room for improve
ment in all ideas Of hberality that prevail in the
money voting branch OF our Government. We
have made great Roadway In the matter OF FORTH
cation, but we are still far from the point where
we may rest secure The whole South Atlantic
Coast and the long stretch Of Gulf Coast are vir-
gin soil. so far the work Of the engineering
corps is concerned. Important points have only
been surveyed immense sums OF money and
valuable time must still be expended before We
feel secure and rest at ease in the presence
Of wars and rumors Of strife and conflict
When asked for some OF the details Of the plans
of the Fortifcatiors Board. General Schofield
very naturally declined 10 give them. but said
that they were perfect In what they sought to ac-
complish.
40 FLEET COULD APPROACH.
Speaking in general terms" said ne. Il may
gay that II the plans of this Board carried out
we will be invincible in the face Of foreign foe.
No nation could attack us with any hope OF being
successful Our heaviest work has been done In
the harbors about New-York. Boston and San
Francisco. our three greatest ports. When we
ehall have completed the work there II Will be
simply impossible for any fleet TO approach within
firing distance of those cities. They will be pro-
tected by means of coast defence guns and mortar
batteries and submarine mines that will enectu-
ally stop any expedition and deal destruction to
any ship. To attempt 10 pass within the lines Of
our Notifications would mean the total ann.hila-
ton of the fleet This same class Of work will be
done elsewhere as fast as Congress authorizes the
work. The plans, as have said. have been ma
fured and the work can be pushed as speedily as
Congress may direct. Such ports as Savannah,
Mobile New Orleans. Charleston and elsewhere
have yet to be commenced. New-Orleans. pro-
tectinH as II does the mouth OF the Mississippi