The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-18
Report of the Board Of Ordnance ana
FOrtifcations and Letter from
Secretary of War Lamont.
NO WARNING WILL BE GIVEN
WHEN WAR COMES. THE BOARD
SAYS, AND WE sHOULD.BE READY.
Senator Vest Confident No Tariff Biz
Can he Passed at the Coming
Session of Congress.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 1.-THE work OF
placing our harbors In a state of defense
is summed up in the report of the board
of ordnance and fortifications, signed by
General Miles Colonels Frank and Haines.
Major Phipps, Messrs Outhwaite and Aver
and made public to-day. 1t says: Under
the increased appropriations OF present fis-
cal year the work OF placing our harhors
in a proper state OF defense is making good
progress. ard if only the same sums are
appropriated annually for few years our
principal ports will present formidable
front to an attacking feet. II is hoped.
however. that even more liberal appropris-
tions will be made in order that we may
soon be ready for any emergency that may
arise at any time. In view of the present
serious aspect of European politics. IL Is
only common prudence for this Nation 10
be on its guard. for, should a conflict arise.
We are liable TO be embroiled with some
power whose navy in the present defense-
less conditions of our coasts might destroy
or exact enor, nous ransom from our chief
cities.
"A war. IL Ii comes at all, will come with
no warning and no time for preparation.
China, with undefended ports and an in
adequate navy. was defeated in a few
months. In the last war between the great
military powers of Germany and France.
the surrender al Sedan occurred only forty
days after the declaration OF war. The
length, but seldom does generation pass
without great conflict. Already more than
thirty years have elapsed since our last
great war and another may soon. IL the
past be a guide to the future. terminate
one of the longest intervals OF peace we
have ever enjoyed. Our engineer DEPART
ment is ready with the most modern plans
for fortificatons. and our ordnance depart
ment is prepared with designs Tor guns ana
carriages that are not exceiled In tne
world II congress will but increase the
appropriations to the capacity or those oe-
partments for useIui ana econol ono isas, WI orS
secure against the attack or foreign pow
ers An effective preparation for war IL the
The foregoing summary closes an ex-
haustive report giving every detail OF the
progress of fortihcation. the examination
of innumerable devices or attack and de-
fense the testing Of guns, gun carriages.
powders. arms. mortars, armors, etc A
long list is given of devices which have
been examined and not approved. ana
smaller list of those approved or under
| consideration. The report contains let
| ter from Secretary Lamont. In which ne
| points the board was created at time
when Congress was taking the first step
| in the execution of a project that involved
an ultimate expenditure OF more man
body of experts to pass on the advancing
stages of armament. Recent years, the
Secretary writes had witnessed a rapid
evolution I'm war material Foreign nations
had armed and rearmed at short Intervals.
Costly material had been manufactured.
much of il to be thrown out as detective
or because outclassed by superior inven-,
tions on the part Of a possible enemy. MrH
Lamont suggested that the work would
be expedited If the board established Ger.
tain definite types" of implements ana
engines OF war. In answer TO this the
board specified the following list of imple-
ments and engines of war for which sat
| isfactory types have been determined.
Twelye-inch steel b. |. rifle now under
| construction. model 1888 and model 1881
| steel b. l. rifle, model 1883: Pinch steel
b. l. mortar: 12-inch cast-iron mortar.
hooped with steel: 7-inch siege howitzer,
model 1890: 5-inch siege rife. model ls'D; S6-
| inch field gun model 1891: 32-nch field gun.
| model 1890: 36-inch field mortar. model lsso;
| 3-inch Hotchkiss mountain gun; lz-inch
| nondsappearing barbette carriage; lv-
| inch nondisappearing barbette carriage;
| inch nondisappearing barbette carriage; lz-
| inch spring return mortar carriage; o-lncn
| disappearing carriage. Crozier- Bufhngton
| type: lo-inch disappearing carriage Grover
Burlington type; carriage for s-inch siege
| howitZer: carriage for 5-lnch siege rine:
carriage for 3.6-inch field gun; carriage TOT
| 32-inch field gun; carriage for 36-inch neld
| mortar: carriage for 3-inch Hotchkiss
mountain gun: caissons for field guns,
combined battery wagons and forges TOT
| field guns armor piercing projectiles Tor
seacoast guns; shell and shrapnel Tor nslo
| guns; torpedo classmates and caple GAL
| leries The work being done at the vari-
| Gus gun works and arsenals Is reviewed IN
detail