The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1896-12-12

Recommendation Those Submitted
by the Secretary OF War.
The limit OF our military force a. fixed BY
law 10 constantly and readily maintained The
pyyscut discipline and morals OF our army are
excellent and marked progress and efficiency
sre apparent throughout its entire organization
with the exception OF delicate duties in the
Suppression CT slight Indian disturbances along
oar southwestern boundary. IN which the Mex
lean troops co-opersted and the compulsory
but peaceful return with the consent OF Great
Britain % a hand OF Cree Indians from Mon
thnA the British possessions no active opera
TORS have been required Of the army during ths
Economy Apparent.
Changes In methoa O. administrator. the
abandonment OF unnecessary posts ana conse-
Gucut concentration Of troops and the exercise
Of care and vigilance by the various officers
charged with the responsibility, In the expendl-
tUre Of the appropriations. have resalted IN
reducing 70 minimum THE cost o. msintessn ms.
| q our military establishment During the PAST
| year the work OF constructing permanent In
fantry and cavalry posts has been continued
l at places heretofore designated
The recrUtAry OF war repeats his reoonlnendA
ton that appropriations for barracks and quar-
tcrs should more strictly conform 10 the need
i o. thu service judged by the department
| rather than respond TO the wishes and tmpor.
tsnItieg OF localities II 10 imperative that much
| Of the money provided for such oonstruetios
| should now be allotted TO the erection Of neces
| sAry quarters for the garT1Rone assigned TO th'
| coast defeases where many men will hA ~~4s'
ed TO property care for and operate nlei,fv
/
t.e made TO supply the Necessary force OF srtii
isry to meet the demands o. this service
Equipment OF Militia.
| The entirV army has now been equipped viii
| the new magazine arms and policy demand
| that all available public and private resume
| should be employed TO provide With
| rraSonahle time a ruriciert number to suppl
| the state militia with these weapons and Pre-
| vide an Auple rezeTNc for any emergency. tn
| organised militia number ll2.S7S men. The az
| populations for It's support by the sewers
states approximate s.. so GO annually, and SEQ
30 is contributed by the general government
| Investigation shows these troops 90 be usual
well drilled and inspired with much militar
I interest. hut in many instances they are 9
, dencient IN proper arms and equipment that
| 50 Aden. cali Go active duty would ma them II
| adequately prepared for neld service.
= I therefore recommend that prompt measure
I've taken TO remedy this condition and TIA
| every encouragement be given to this deser'
. ing body CT UNPAID and voluntary citizen %
4 | diers upoa whose assistance we must large
3 | rely in time OF trouble.
{ Coast Fortl0cattonG.
q During the past year rapid progress h
z been made toward the completion OF the scheu
: adopted for the pro,ection and armament
| fortihcAtions along coast. while elu
e | proxress has been made In providing the m
q | tsriAI for submarine defense in connection wi
= these works. It IL peculiarly gratifying at n
a time TO note the great advance that has be
made In this important undertaking since q
Il | date Of my annual message to the Fifty-thi
y | congress at the opening Of Its second session
|. December, ISss. At that time. l informed I
1. | congress Of the approaching completion OF nj
"A l Il. inch. % ie-inch and - S-tnch high pow
steel guns and rs l2-tnch rtfed mortars- tt
total seemingly Insufficient when compar
~ | with the great work remaining to Be done.
Of fart Was none the less source OF sAtisfas ton
ne | every Citizen when he reflected that Il rep
"a scented the first tnstailment OF the new orinAr
r. | OF American design and American msnufactu
ae and demonstrated our ability to supply from
| resources guns OF uneNcelled power and
.ls curacy. At that date. however there vi
Cd practically no carriages upon which to mot
10 these guns. and only 81 empiacements tor q
- | and 81 for mortars. Nor were all these
"a | Elements In condition to receive their arm
10 ! uent Only one high power gun was at q
he time In position for the defense OF the enl
ne coast.
I'd An Era OF Gun-MakIng.
since that time the number OF guns actus
ea | completed has been Increased to q Is-inch.
90 | ie-inch and 81 S-inch rihed mortars. In a.
a. ton there are in process OF construction
ie-lnch type gun. 50 i2-tnch. IS le-inch. q ST
high power guna and a I1-inch rife mcrtars
ON | all as guns and mortars, During the -
ras | year Immediately preceding the message
OF | ferred TO. the 6rst medern gun carriage
en- been completed and II more were in process
ned | construction. All bat were OF the =
80 disappearing type. Thee. however. were