The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-11-18
IT NEEDS ONLY MONEY ENOUGH
Coast Defense Board Uses the European
War Scare to Get 1t.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE work of
placing our harbors In a state of defense
Is summed up in the report of the board
pY ordnance and Notifications, signed by
General Miles Colonies Frank and
Haines, Major Phipps and Messrs. Outh-
waite, and made public today. 1t says:
Under the increased appropriations
OF the present fiscal year the work of
placing our llarbors in a proper state
of defense is making good progress, and
IF only the same sums are appropriated
annually for few years our principal
ports will present a formidable front to
an attacking fleet. IT is hoped, hoWev-
er. that even more liberal eppropria-
lions will be made in order that we shall
soon be ready for an emergency that
may arise at any time. In view of the
present serious aspect of European poll
tics it is only common prudence for this
nation to be on its guard for should a con
fiict arise We are liable to be embroiled
with some power whose navy in the pres
ent defenseiess conditions of our coast
might destroy, or exact enormous ran
SONS from our chief cities"
"a war, if Ii comes at all. will come
with no warning and no time for prepar-
alton. China. with undefended ports
and an inadequate navy, was defeated
In a few months. In the last war be-
tween the great military powers of Ger
many and France, the surrender at Sc,
dan occurred only forty DAYS after the
declaration of war. The wars of nations
occur in cycles of varying length. but sell
dom does a generation pass without a
great conflict. Already more than thirty
years have elapsed since our last great
war and another may soon, if the past be
q guide TO the future, terminate one OF
tOnpaSt n IF
ever enjoyed. Our engineering depart.
nent is ready with the most modern plan
for Notifications. and our ordnance de,
partment is prepared with designs for
guns and carriages. If congress will hui.
increase the appropriations to the capacl-
~ of these departments for useful ana
economical work. Ii will not be long he.
fore our coasts are secure against the al
tack of foreign powers. An effective pre-.
paration for war is the best safeguard
against war"
The foregoing summary closes an ex,
haustive report giving every detail of the
progress OF fertilization, the examina,
hon of innumerable devices Of attack and
defense, S1e testing of guns. gun car.
rlages, powders arms, mortars, armor.
etc. A dong list is given OF devices
Which nave been examined and not ap-
proved and smaller list of those an
proved or under consideration.
The report contains letter from Sec.
rotary Lamont in which he points ont
shat the board was created at a time
when congress was taking the first steo
In the execution OF project which in.
VOWED an ultimate expenditure of mora
than 500 100000. the purpose being 10
have body of experts TO pass on the adj
Tancing stages of armament. Recon,
years, the secretary writes. had Witness
ed rapid evolution in war material. For
elgn nations had armed and re-armea
al short intervals. Costly material had
been manufactured. much OF IL 10 b,
thrown out as defective or because o,,-