The San Francisco call., 1896-08-12
TO FORT|FY THE
PACIFIC COAST,
General Miles Submits His
Plans to Secretary
Lamont.
BIG GUNS ARE COMING.
San Francisco One of the First
Points That Will Receive
Attention.
FIVE ARTILLERY STATIONS.
San Diego, Mouth of the Columbia and
Puget Sound Also to Be
Protected.
FIVE ARTILLERY STATIONS

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 1L.-Ma-
jor-General Miles has recommended to
Secretary Lamont more comprehensive
plan in regard to the Notifications of the
Pacific Coast and the distribution OF artil-
lery troops than was originally believed.
General Miles said to TIE CALL corre-
spondent to-day that one of the first ports
to receive the attention of the war authori-
ties would be San Francisco. 1t is the in
tention to locate five artillery stations
around that city-Point Lobos and Lime
Point (on both sides of the Golden Gate),
Alcatraz Island, Fort Candy and Black
Point. General Miles said that guns were
being received at each of those points
which would necessitate the presence OF
batteries to take care of them. He expects
that the stations at these places will each
be garrisoned by several batteries of
artillery.
It is plainly evident and, in fact, Gen.
eral Miles admitted that there will have
to be an increase of the artillery forces
stationed on the Pacific Coast. At present
there Is only one regiment, the batteries
of which are distributed along the coast at
the Presidio, Alcatraz Island, Fort Candy
and Fort Mason. Battery G of this regi-
ment is stationed at Fort Monroe, on the
Atlantic Coast.
In addition TO the places mentioned
around San Francisco General Miles has
called the attention of the department to
the need of artillery stations and garrisons
at San Diego, the mouth of the Colum bia
River and Puget Sound. At San Diego
there Is post, which is garrisoned by one
company of infantry. Guns are being
placed in position for the defense of that
city, and General Miles desires the depart
ment to station an artillery force there.
Fort Candy, at the mouth of the Columbi
River, has too small an artillery force,
there being but two batteries of the Fifth
at that point, aud General Miles believes
that an increase will shortly be impera-
tive. Fort Mason is also point where
additional batteries should be stationed.
Puget Sound is without battery Of ar
tillery, Notwithstanding the immensity of
the industries located and which are being
established along that waterway.
General Miles recommends the starlon-
ing of large artillery force at points
along the sound where batteries are being
located, and in order to carry out his
recomm endation it will be necessary to
erect quarters at some of the points for
the accommodation of troops, conse-
quently the department will have to spend
considerable sum in preparing for their
reception should the Secretary decide to
adopt the suggestions.
1t is expected that the Secretary will
take up the question of redistribution of
the artillery force in the fall In tho n, aar
time gossips at the War Department are
speculsting as to the force of artillery
which will be transferred to the Pacific
slope. One battery of the Third Artillery,
stationed in Texas, may be sent TO the
West, as there is no intention on the part
of the authorities at the present time to
fortify the Gulf coast. If fthi. battery goes
the probabilities are that the entire regi-
ment will be quartered On the slope.