The Saint Paul globe., 1896-12-08
Of the public service intrusted to

branches Of the public service intrusted to
his charge. y
The limit of our military force as fixed by
law is constantly and readily maintained.
The present discipline and morals of our
army are excellent, and marked progress
and efficiency are apparent throughout its
entire organization. -
With the exception of delicate duties in
the suppression of slight Indian disturbances
along our southwestern boundary, In which
the Mexican troops co-operated, and the COM
pulsory but peaceful return, with the con-
sent of Great Britain, of band of Cree
Indians from Montana to the British pos
sessions, no active operations have been re-
qulred of the army during the year past.
changes in methods of administration, the
abandonment of unnecessary posts and the
consequent concentration of troops and the
exercise of care and vigilance by the various
oncers charged with the responsibility, in
the expenditure of the appropriations, havo
resulted In reducing to a minimum the cost
OF maintenance of military establish
ment. During the past year the work of
constructing permanent infantry and cavalry
posts has continued at the places heretofore
designated. The secretary of war repeats
his recommendation that appropriations for
barracks and quarters should more strictly
conform to the needs Of the service as Judged
Dy the department, rather than respond to
the wishes and opportunities of localities.
1t is imperative that much Of the money
PROVIDED for such construction should now be
allotted to the erection of necessary quarters
for the garrisons assigned to the coast de-
lenses, where many men will be needed TO
properly care for and operate modern guns.
1t Is essential too, that early provision he
made to supply the necessary force of az
tillery 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 and pri-
vate resources should be so employed as to
provide within reasonable time a sufficient
number to supply the state militia with
these modern weapons and provide an ample
The organized militia numbers 112 879. The
appropriations for its support by the several
states approximate 81. 900 annually, anil
S40c, 900 is contributed by the general govern
ment. Investigation shows these troops to
be usually drilled and inspired with much
military Interest, but in many instances they
am so deficient in proper arms and equip
ment that sudden call to active duty would
IND them inadequately prepared for field serv-
ice. therefore recommend that prompt meas
ures be taken to remedy this condition, and
tnat every encouragement be given to this
deserving body of unpaid and voluntary cit1-
gen soldiers, upon whose assistance we must
largely rely in time of trouble.
HARBoR DEFENSES.
During the past year rapid progress has
been made toward the completion of the
scheme adopted for the erection and armament
of Notifications along our sea coast, while
equal progress has been made in providing
the material for submarine defense in connec-
t1on with these works 1t Is peculiarly graf
flying at this time to note the great advance
that has been made in this important under
taking since the date at the opening of its
second session. in December, 1893. At that
time informed the congress of the approach
ing completion of nine 12-inch, twenty 10-inch
and thirty-four S-inch high power steel guns,
and seventy-flve 12-inch rifle mortars.
This total then seemed insignificant, when
compared with the great work remaining to
be done. Yet it was none the less source of
satisfaction to every citizen when he reflected
that it represented the first instalment of the
new ordnance of American design and Amer
lean manufacture and demonstrated our abil-
1ty to supply from our own resources guns
OF uneXcelled power and accuracy. At that
late, however, there were practically no car
riages upon which to mount these guns and
only 81 emplacements for guns and GA for
mortars. Nor were all these emplacements
in condition to receive their armament Only
one high power gun was at that time in po
sition for the defense of the entire coast.
Since that time the number Of guns actu-
ally completed has been increased to twenty
one 12-inch; 1fty-six 1O-inch; sixty-one 8-inch
power breech loading steel, ten rapid fire
guns and eighty 12-inch rifed mortars. In
addition there are in process of construction
one 16-inch type gun, fifty Pinch, ffty-six
10-inCh, twenty-seven S-inch high power guns
and siXty-six Pinch rifed mortars in all
four hundred and twenty-eight guns and NOR
tars.
During the same year Immediately pre-
ceding the message referred to the first mod
ern gun carriage had been completed and
eleven more were in process of construction.
All but one were of the non-disappearing type.
These, however, were not such as to secure
necessary cover for the artillery gunners
against the intense fire of modern machine
rapid fire and high power guns.
The inventive genius Of ordnance and civil
ian experts has been taxed in designing car
riageS that would obViate this fault, resulting
it is believed, in the solution Of this diff
cult problem. Since 1898, the number of gun
carriages constructed or building has been
raised to total of 129, Of which 80 are on
the disappearing principle, and the number Of
mortar carriages to 1872 while the 95 emplace-
ments which were provided for prior to that
time have been increased to $50 built and
building.
This improved situation is largely due to
the recent generous response OF congress to
the recommendation Of the war department.
thus we shall soon have complete about one
fifth of the comprehensive system, the first
step in which was noted in my message to
the congress Of Dec. T. 1893 When it is
understood that masonry emplacement rot
orly furnishes a platform for the heavy
modern high power gum hut also IN every
particular serves the purpose and takes the
place Of the fort of former days, the i'm
pc rtance of the work accomplished is better
Comprehended.
In the hope that the work will be prose-
cuted with no less vigor in the future, the
secretary of war has submitted an estimate
by which, If allowed, here will be provided
and either built or building by the end Of
the next fiscal year, such additional guns
mortars, gun carriages and emplacements as
will represent not far from one third of the
tctal work to be done under the plan
adopted for our coast defenSes, thus afford
ing prospect that the entire work will be
substantially completed within six years. In
less time than that, however We shall have
| attained a marked degree of security.
The experience and results OF the past
year demonstrate that with continuation
Of present careful methods the cost of the
remaining work will be much less than the
original estimate.
We should always keep in mind that Of
all forms of military preparation coast de-
fense is alone essentially pacific in it's ma
due to a consciousness of strength it is
neither the purpose nor the effect Of such
permanent fortification to involve us in tor-
eign complications, but rather to guarantee
us against them. They are not temptation
to war, but security against it. Thus they
are thorc ughly in accord with all the Iradl>
tiCns of our national diplomacy.