Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-10

1
cent; Sweden, 1881, with 1.1G per cent,
while from Portugal there came 2,06T, of
whom 1853 per cent were illiterate. There
arrived from Japan during the year only
| LILO immigrants, and it is the opinion of
the immigration authorities that the ap-
prehension heretofore existing to some
extent of large immigration from Japan
to the United States is without any sub
stantial foundation.
| For the life saving service it is reported
that the number of disasters to docu-
mented vessels within the limits of its
operations during the year was 437.
These vessels had on board 4,60S persons,
of whom 4,595 were saved and 13 lost.
The value of such vessels is estimated at
$3.50 40 and of their cargoes S}.S46,-
$50, making the total value of property
imperilled $12, ,T26.520. OF this amount
S11, ,292,70 was saved and 81, ,432, $50 was
lost. SiXty-seven of the vessels were
totally wrecked. There were besides 243
casualties to small undocumented craft,
on hoard of which there were 594 per-
SONS, of whom 5ST were saved and Z were
lost.
The value of the property involved in
these latter casualties is estimated at
S110,265, of which $114915 was saved
and $4,350 was lost. The life saving
crews during the year also rescued or as
sisted numerous other vessels and warned
many from danger by signals, both by day
and night. The number of disasters dur
ing the year exceeded that of any previous
year in the history of the service, but the
saving of both life and property was
greater than ever before in proportion to
the value of the property involved and to
the number of persons imperiled.
As to the operations of the marine hos
pital service, the revenue cutter service,
the steamboat inspections service, the light
house service, the bureau of navigation,
and other branches of public work at
tached to the treasury department, to-
gether with various recommendations
concerning their support and improve
ment, are fully stated in the report of the
Secretary of the Treasury, to which the
attention of the Congress is especially in
vited. The report of the Secretary of
War exhibits satisfactory conditions in
the several branches of the public service
intrusted to his charge.
OUR MILITARY FORCES.
The limit of our militry fierce as fixed
by law il constantly and readily main
tanned. The present discipline and>m
of our army are excellent, and marked
progress and efficiency are apparent
throughout its entire organization. With
the exception of delicate duties in the sup
preston of slight Indan disturbances
along the southwestern boundary,in which
the Mexican troops co-operated, and the
compulsory but peaceful return with the
consent of Great Britain, of band of
Cree Indians from Montana to the British
possessions, no active operations have
been required of the army during the year
past.
Changes in methods of administration,
| the abandonment of unnecessary posts
t-und consequent concentration of troops
and the exercise of care and vigilance by
the various officers charged with the re-
sponsiblity, in the expenditure of the ap-
preparations, have resulted in reducing TO
n minimum the cost of maintenance of
our military establishment. During the
past year the work of constructing per-
manent infantry and cavalry posts has
been continued at the places heretofore
designated. The Secretary of War re-
peats his recommendation, that apprOpria-
tions for barracks and quarters should
more strictly conform 10 the needs of the
service ms judged by the department,
rather than respond to the wishes and inn
portunitics of localities
1t is imperative that much of the money
provided for such construction should now
be allotted 10 the erection of necessary
quarters for the garrisons assigned TO the
coast defenses, where many men will lie
needed to properly care for and operate
modern guns. 1t is essential, too, that
early provision be made to supply the
necessary force of artillery to meet the
demands of this service. The entire army
has now been equipped with the new
magazine arms. and wise policy demands
that all available public aud private re-
sources should be so employed as to pro-
vide within reasonable time sufficient
numbers to supply the State militia with
these modern weapons and provide an
ample reserve for amy emergency.
The organized militia numbers 112,ST9
men. The appropriations for its support
by the several states approximate 81. .S00,-
600 annually, and 100000 is contributed
by the general government Investigation
shows these troops to be usually well
drilled and inspired with much military in
| terest, but in many instances they are so
deficient in proper arms and equipment
that a sudden call to active duty would
find them inadequately prepared for field
! service. ! therefore recommend that
prompt measures he taken to remedy this
condition. and that every encouragement
be given TO this deserving body of unpaid
and voluntary citizen soldiers upon whose
assistance we must largely reply in time
| of trouble.
During the past year rapid progress has
been made toward the completion of the
| scheme adopted for the erection and ar
mament of Notifications along our sea
coast, while equal progress has been
made in providing the material for sub
marine defense in connection with these
works.
1t is peculiarly gratifying Mt TINS time to
| note the great advance that has been
made i'll this important undertaking. since
the date of my annual message TO the Fiji
| ty-third Congress ut the opening of its
second session, in December, 1893. At
| that time Informed the Congress of the
| approaching completion of nine 12-inch
\ guns, twenty 10-inch, and thirty-four s.
inch high-power steel guns. and seventy
1 five 12-inch ritied mortars.
| Thistoatlthen seemed insignificant when
compared with the great work remaining
to be done. Yet 1t was none the less n
source of satisfaction to every citizen
| when he reflected that 1t represented the
| first instullment of the new ordinance of
| American design and American manufac-
| ture, and demonstrated our ability to sup
| ply from our own resources guns of unex-
celled power and accuracy. At that date,
| however, there were practically no eur
| ringes upon which to mount these guns,
and only 81 emplapnents in condition to
receive their amament. Only one high