The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-12-11

crate as against 2O.oI per cent. OF tnoSe OF
cal year The number of immigrants over
Il years DID,. the countries from which
they came and the percentage of illiterates
among them were as follows:
Italy, 57,515, with 5f.69 per cent. Ireland,
81, 1876, with seven per cent; Russia, 3d.
49, with Ala per O Gent austria y q aungaty
Germany. 25,3S4, with 2.96 per cent;
Sweden, 1881, with 1.16 per cent. while
from sa Portugal there same 2SS7 Of Whom
rived from Japan during the year only
LILO migrants, and Ii Is the opinion or
the immigration authorities that the APP
prehension heretofore. existing TO some
extent of a large immigration from Japan
to the United States is without any sub
stantial foundation
Work of the Life Savers.
From the life-saving service 1t is re-
ported that the number of disasters to
documented vessels within the limits of It's
operations during the year was 4S7. These
w whom 45sS u were saved and Is lost. The
value of such vessels is estimated at IS, $780,
40, and Of their cargoes, 50, SAG, $3.50, making
1860 u.s. OF this amonnt sii, 2927o7 was
saved and 81 ,432, $50 was lost. Sixty-seven
of the vessels were totally wrecked. There
were besides 243 casualties to small, undoc-
umented craft, on board of which there
were 594 persons, of whom 5S were saved
and seven We're lost; The value of the
was saved and 1880 was lost The life
saving crews during the year also rescued
or assisted numerous other vessels and
warned many from danger by signals, both
by day and night The number of disas-
tiers during 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 Imperfect.
The operations of the marine hospital
service, the revenue cutter service, the
steamboat inspection 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 con-
corning their support and Improvement are
fully stated in the report of the secretary
of the treasury to which the attention or
the congress is especially invited.
The Army.
The report of the secretary of war ex-
hibits satisfactory conditions in the sew
eral branches of the public service in
trusted to his charge. The limit of our mill
itary force as fixed by law, is constantly
cipline and morale Of our army are excel
lent, and marked progress and efficiency
are apparent throughout its entire organi-
cation.
With the exception of delicate duties In
the suppression of slight Indian dis
turbances along our southwestern boun-
dairy, in which the Mexican troops cooper
ated, and the compulsory but peaceful re-
turn, with the consent of Great Britain, OF
a band Of Cree Indians from Montana to
the British possessions, no active opera
tions have been required of the army dur
ing the year past.
Changes in methods of administration,
the abandonment of unnecessary posts and
consequent concentration of troops and
the exercise of care and vigilance by the
various officers charged with the RESPONSE
bility In the expenditure of appropriations
have resulted in reducing to a minimum
the cost of maintenance of our military es-
tablishment. During the past year the
work or constructing permanent infantry
and cavalry posts has been continued II
the places heretofore designated. The sec
rotary OF war repeats his recommendation
that appropriations for barracks and quar-
ters should more strictly conform to the
needs OF the service, as Judged by the de-
partment. rather than respond to the
wishes and opportunities Of localities IL
is Imperative that much of the money pro-
vided for such construction should now be
allotted to the erection of necessary quar-
tiers for the garrisons assigned to the coast
defenses, where many men will be needed
to properly care for and operate modern
guns. It is essential too, that early pro-
vision be made to supply the necessary
force or 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
ana private resources should DE so EN-
ployed as to provide within reasonable
time sufficient number to supply the state
militia with these modern weapons and
provide an ample reserve for any emer-
gency.
The Militia.
The organized militia numbers liz, $40 men
The appropriations for it's support by the
several states approximate $500, 900 an
nually, and 100000 are contributed by the
general government Investigation shows
these troops to be usually drilled and in
spired with much military interest, but in
many instances they are so deficient in
call to active duty would find them In
prepared for field service. 7
therefore recommend that prompt meas
Tres be taken to remedy this condition and
that every encouragement be given ts
his deserving body of unpaid and volun-
AIRY citizen soldiers, upon whose assist
rouble.
Sea Coast Defenses.
During the past year rapid progress has
,een made toward the completion Of the
nent of Notifications along our seacoast,
while equal progress has been made in pro-
riding the material for submarine defense
n connection with these works 1t Is pecul-
arly gratifying at this time to note the
,reat advance that has been made in this
undertaking since the date OF
,ress at the opening of its second ses-
sion, in December, 1888 At that time in
ormed the congress OF the approaching
completion Of 12-inch, 20 10-inch and *
Inch high power steel guns and rs Pinch
'ifled mortarS.
This total then seemed insignificant when
'OIlpdiCu WIZ lHC biSbl WIN ICHaiiihr
% he done. Yet 1t was none the less
source Of satisfaction to every citizen
When he reflected that 1t represented the
irst installment of the new ordnance or
american design and American Thanufac-
ure, and demonstrated our ability to sup
'ly from our own resources guns OF unex-
elled power and accuracy. At that date,
however, there were practically no car
iages upon which to mount those guns,
nd only 81 empla for guns and G
or mortars. Nor were all these emplace-
nents In condition to receive their arma-
nent Only one high-power gun was at
hat time in position for the defense Of the
ntire coast. Since that time the number
f guns actually completed has been In
reased to Fl 12-inch: So ten-inch; 81 eight
nch high-power breech-loading steel ten
apid-fire guns and so Pinch rifed NOR
ars. In addition there are In process Of
obstruction of one 16-inch type gun, 80 12-
nch, SIS ten-inch, "a eight-inch high power
uns and 66 l2-inch rifed mortars in all
Is guns and mortars.
During the same year Immediately pre-
eding the message referred to the first
1odern gun carriage had been completed
nd ii more were in process Of construc-
on. All but one were of the non-dsap-
caring type. These, however, were not
UGH as to secure necessary cover for the
rtillery gunners against the intense fire
modern machine rapid-fre and high
over guns. The inventive genius OF
rdnance and civilian experts has been
lXed in designing carriages that would
bViate this fault, resulting, Il n believed.
the solution Of this difficult problem.