Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-10-01
Need OF Coast Defences.

Gen. Schoflcld, who Ictircs from the
prime OF his faculties. The age limit in
no wise applies to his physical or mental
activity. Consequently what advice he
has to give from out his experience should
be needed. The greatest need In our war
like equipment, ne thinks is the need OF
more coast defenccs. He does not regard
the need of increasing the military arm
OF so much Importance as did Gen. How
ard for he argues that instruction and
riot do not meet US unexpectedly. He
does think the army should be increased
somewhat, and especially that the artil-
lery branch should be strengthened.
Should the army not be sufficient to quell
instruction the President could call upon
the militia of the several states.
with regard to a ign foe, he say S,
the case is different, and We could not
place our reliance in An army, however,
well drilled and efficient it might be.
Time is required to prepare for this for
eign foe. Years are needed in which to
put our harbors and our large cities in
condition to withstand the bcsieging guns
Of men of war, and prevent 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 have always been, ardent in my
championship of sea coast dcfenccs. and
am glad to know that the time is ap-
preaching, If it is not already at hand,
when the legislative branch Of our gov
crnment 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. it could be
consummated within two or three years
by throwing all the forces of the govern
mcnt at work upon that particular task
| at the present rate it will take ten times
rs many years. If onc-half the money ap-
propriated by every Congress for the i'm
provenlant of the rivers and harbors were
expended for Unc fertilization of our coasts
and the protection of our great ports and
money centres, these Notifications would
soon be complete. Congress is more
liberal of recent years, though, but there
is plenty of room for improvement in all
ideas of liberality that prevail in the
money voting branch Of our government.
We have made great Roadway in the mat
ter OF fertilization. but We are still far from
the point whore we may rest secure. The
whole South Atlantic coast and the long
stretch of Gulf coast are virgin soil, SO far
As the work of the engineering corps is
concerned. Important points have only
been surveyed.
"Our heaviest work has been done in
the harbors about New York, Boston and
San Francisco, our three greatest ports.
When we shall have completed the work
there 1t will be simply impossible for any
fleet to approach within firing distance OF
these cities. They will be protected by
means of coast defence guns and mortar
batteries and submarine mines that will
otfcctually stop any expedition and deal
destruction to any ship. To attempt to
pass within the lines of our fertilization
would mean the total humiliation OF
the fleet This same class of work will be
done elsewhere as fast rs Congress author
ICES the work. ~
"There should be an increase in the
artillery arm. 1t would require II force
nf 50, 600 men To garrison the projected
notifications, and there should be at least
one tenth of that number in charge of the
| tortiflcations in time of peace. A. a mat
| ter of fact. we have today about one-third
Of that onetenth. and As this work goes
IN more artillery troops will be needed.