The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-12-17
ARMY AND NAVY.

The two ranking officers of the 9th Cav. re.
tired last week. They were Col. James Biddle
and Col. James F. Randlett, his chief assistant.
Both officers served in the volunteer army
during the civil war and made honorable
records, Col. Biddle receiving the brevet of
Brigadier. General.
These retirements result in the following
promotions in the cavalry branch: Lieut.
Col David Perry, of the 10th, to be Colonel of
the 9th; Maj John NJ. Hamilton, of the LIST, to
be Licutenant.C Colonel Of the 9th; Maj. Thomas
A. Baldwin. OF the 7th. to be Lieutenant Colo
mel Of tho 10th; Capt. E. S. Godfrey, of the 9TH,
to be Major Of the 1st; Capt. Albert q. Forse,
T.. P. Brewer, Of the 7th, to be Captain Of the
18th; Capt. T. G. Mathey, of the 7th. to be Major
sof the 9TH, and then retired First Lieut.. 81.
y. Parker, of the 9th. to be Captain OF the eth;
First Lieut.. o. j. Brown. Of the 1st, to be Cap
thin Of the 1st; Second Lieuts Charles d.
Rhodes, W. s. Wood and George T. Langhorhe,
TO lie First Lieutcnants.
In his annual report the Secretary Of War
discusses deliberately the subject of coast de-
lenses. He says that tho construction of the
modern ordnance required by the approved
plan of National defenses has been in progress
for eight years aud that Of emplacements for
six years, while widespread popular impress
sion dates this work at the beginning of a still
more remote period Of experimentation. Dur
IUg mOSt Vi tuS tiIuo tuC viSiUt0 IcSuto VI GA,
penditure in some important respects were
small. For this reason there have been occa-
sional evidences of dissatisfaction at what
seemed unnecessary tardiness In the execution
of the project. But more rapid progress could
have been made only by the adoption of plan
involving very much greater expense.
The full scope that the coast defenses of the
country will take embrace, Secretary Lamont
says, about 81 cities SO far, with chances that
/ seven moro will be added to the list requiring
the attention of the National Government. OF
| this number emplacements will be ordered and
| work pursued in the next six months in the
construction of emplacemcnts at Portland, Me-;
| Portsmouth, N. H.; Boston. Narragansett Bay.
eastern entrance to Lorg Island Sound, eastern
and western entrances to New York Harbor,
| Philadep hia. Washington, Baltimore, Hamp-
! ton Roads. Wilmington. Charleston, Savannah,
Key West, Pensacola, Mobile, New Orleans,
| Galveston, San Diego. San Francisco, the mouth
Of tho Columbia River and Puget Sound.
| When the great armorcd cruiser Brooklyn
was placed in commission at the League Island
| Maynard the floating strength of tho person.
mel of the Navy became greater than at any
1 period since the war, when au enormous mum.
ber Of sailors were required to man the SOC
| or more ships Ia the Navy. OF the IL 600 men
allowed BY Congress- all but 500 have been
| enlisted, and these will soon be secured. In
| the past three years an increase OF 5000 mer
has been authorized. and in the next two years
about 1000 more will be required to equip the
ships designed to be ready for service in tha
time. OF tho total enlisted force, probably
5000 men are on ships in commission. while tn,
remainder are on receiving vessels and training
ships. and few employed ut the Eavy-yard
| and other naval stations. With the Puritan
In service the hundred or more men now avail
able will be drawn upon, and until Congress
makes further provision for Increasing the fore
1t will not DO possible to put another vessel II
commission. unless some of those now in servic
are temporarily retired and the crews trans
ferred elsewhere.