New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-02
COAST DEFENCES WEAK.
A SENATE COMMITTEE MAKES AN EXAM
NATION HERE.
SENATOR SQUIRE SAYS THAT HE AND HIS coll
LEAGUES WILL MAKE A STRONG REPORT IN
FAVOR OF PROMPT ACTION.

SENATOR SQUIRE SAYS THAT HE AND HIS coll
LEAGUES WILL MAKE STRONG REPORT IN
FAVOR OF PROMPT ACTION.
The committee appointed by resolution OF the
United States Senate to examine the coast defences
have been In this city since last Friday night and
have examined the harbor and other defences. and
closed their labors yesterday morning According TO
Chairman W. c. Squire. United States Senator from
Washington, the report which he will make 10 the
Senate will declare that the condition OF anairs y
shameful and unworthy OF Nation such as this 10
Senator Squire said that his committee would make
the report before Congress adjourned In order that X
might know the chances that being taken In case
OF
The Committee on Coast Defences consists Of Sem
ator Hawley Senator Squire. OF Washington; Sem
ator Proctor. OF Vermont: Senator White. Of CALI
fornia and Senator Butler. OF North Carolina Sen
ators Hawiey and Proctor. being familiar with the
subject did not accompany Messrs Squire White
and Butler In their stead were Senators Dubois.
Tillman and Perkins. Of the Naval Committee and
Senator Cannon. of Utah. who were anxious to know
how the city protected and Representative
Wilson. of Idaho. The committee accompanied
by It's sergeant-at-arms and official s,enographer
I'VE concluded TO for ourselves" said Senator
Squire. at the Hotel Waldorf. yesterday the con-
dition of the defences OF the greatest commercial
port the United States The defences are to-day
better they should be. than any other port In the
United States. Yet these defences are entirely be-
low what is necessary to give any kind OF protec-
ton against the foe
AT 10 O'Clock Saturday morning" continued the
Senator. "our party accompanied by Major Pnipps
and Captain Heath. OF the Ordnance Department.
and Captain Hodges. Of the Engineers Department.
who had been ordered assist us. eft the Battery
on the Ordnance Department steamer. We went 10
Sandy Hook and examined the works for defence
and the direct-hre guns and their improvements.
Congress has been derelict IN the matter OF the
necessary appropriations for defnnces. and no pres
sure has been brought to bear upon It IN this drec-
ton so. the time has to take action, they
should awakened 20 the realization Of the great
danger that exists.
III the condition We found existing in WORK
is bad and It is better than that OF other great
In al? In New-York city alone We have
sio1,c,l10 Of dostructible property. Wnat we need
power, long-range guns OF eight ten and twelve
inches and in addition to these need l76 twelve
guns If the whole Of the nanufacturing facitts
in the country were put TO work now II you'd take
II would take at least seven months 70 make the
begun and then would require from six months 10
one year to complete the defenoes that are aHso-
Al sandy Hook. we found ony two twelve-inch
guns ready to be ired ana tnese had no rang
IN nI ana e we're Thee ar no men kept
there. and II troops should De sent there they would
place is run In the most peculiar manner. For IN
stance the men who were there could not get up
steam - show the committee tn" rise and fall or
these two guns.
AT Fort Wadsworth found FIVE eght-inch
guns none ready for use. and they Will not be until
some time In August These all the direct-hre
guns IN the lower bay. There are sixteen guns ana
n mortar battery al the Hook. but 10 get all the
mortars and these guns In shape. IT. work were Pc
gun right away. at least a year would be required
AZ Fort Hamilton We found but one lO-incn
gun which mounted.
The committee spent sunday In visiting the Long
Island Sound and He'll Gate defences. saw WiAetts
Point and made careful study or things there.
There are fve points 20 be defended IN this vic.n-
~ Senator Squire says, and these points DO not
include Fishers Island. AT Willetts Point the
IN place and three 3nch guns. which were In the
nre-machnes The electrical contrivancts were also
examined. ., -.
The system OF using torpedoe Senator Squire says;
IS almost unless the torpedos are protected
by guns and flashlights. which are lacking. Fort
Schuyler was also Inspected yesterday by several
OF the committee who remained Until last even
ing when they Washington
ut IL disagreeable 10 tell the truth. added SEND
tor Squire. but the people have been sumoerng
too long We have good, although a small, Navy
II We 4. pend upon the Navy TO deferd CITY. We
Will lose FOR fortihcttione should be the protection
OF the Navy Ships cannot bs at all points at the
same time and II they were. what would become
OF our commerce our shlpyards need protection.
We are desperately I'm need OF strong land defences
such as a foreign navy dare not encounter.
Il hope tina. both the coming National conventions
will adopt planks in their respective platforms on
1efau