Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-12-11
Il J bFf 40

brate as against 20.37 per cent OF those OF
cal year. The number OF immigrants over
ID years old, the countries from which
they came and the percentage OF illiterateH
among them were as follows:
Italy, 57.5l5 with 81 50 per cent. ireland,
N,496, with seven per cent; Russia, 3J,-
lss with Al IA per cent austria j. ~ HunEary
Germany, 1884, with 2.S6 per cent
Sweden. 1854, with lie per cent. while
from Portugal there came 2,o67, Of whom
n 90 per cent were illiterate There ar
rived from Japan during the year only
l,llO imig rants and II Is the opinion or
the immigration authorities that the APP
prehension heretofore existing 10 some
extent Of large immigration from Japan
20 the United States is without any sub
stantial foundation.
Work OF the Life Savers.
From the life-saving service it is re-
ported that the number of disasters u
documented vessels within the limits Of its
operations during the year was 43D These
vessels had on board i,6Os persons, OF
whom 1855 were saved and Is lost the
value of such vessels Is estimated al -, ~
49, and of their cargoes, $3,Si6,3S0, making
the total value of property imperiled 81.
726,52O. OF this amount SH,292107 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
We're 5g4 persons, of whom 5Sl were saved
and seven were lost. The value OF the
property involved in these latter casualties
Is estimated at Nl4N5, OF winch Slit,Slo
was saved and $4,000 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-
ters 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 imperiled.
The operations of the marine hospital
service, the revenSe cutter service, the
steamboat inspection service, the light
house service, the bureau of navigation
and other branches of public work at
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 of
the congress is especially invited.
The Army.
The report Of the secretary of war ex-
hibits satisfactory conditions In the sew
trusted TO his charge. The limit OF our mil
itary force as fixed by law, is constantly
ana readily maintained. The present dis
cipline and morale Of our army are excel
lent, and marked progress and efficiency
are apparent throughout its entire organi-
With the exception of delicate duties in
the suppression of slight Indian dis
tur6apGeS .t along our southwestern boun-
ated, and the compulsory hut peaceful re-
turn, with the consent of Great Britain. OF
band Of Cree Indians from Montana to
the British possessions, no active opera
lions 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 10 minimum
the cost of maintenance of our military es- |
tablishment During the past year the |
work Of constructing permanent infantry |
and cavalry posts has been continued at |
the places heretofore designated. The sec |
rotary OF war repeats his recommendation |
that appropriations for barracks and quar- |
terS should more strictly conform 10 the |
needs OF the service. as judged by the de- |
partment. rather than respond 10 the |
wishes and opportunities OF localities 1t |
Is impera tive that much Of the money pro- |
vided for such construction should now be |
allotted 70 the erection of necessary quar- |
ters for the FarriSons assigned 10 the coast |
oerenSes where many men Will be needed |
TO properly care for and operate modern |
guns. 1t is essential, too, that early pro-
vision be made to supply the necessary |
force OF artillery 10 meet the demands Of |
The entire army has now been equipped |
policy demands that all available public |
and private resources should be 40 en- |
ployed as 10 provide within a reasonable |
time a sufficient number 10 supply the state |
militia with these modern weapons and |
provide an ample reserve for any emer-
gency.
The organized militia numbers SO men.
The appropriations for its support by the |
nually, and 500, 900 are contributed by the
general government. Investigation shows |
these troops to be usually drilled and In
many instances they are so deficient in |
proper arms and equipment that sudden
call 70 active duty would find them in
adequately prepared for field service. | |
therefore recommend that prompt meas
ures be taken TO remedy this condition and
that every announcement be given to
this deserving body OF unpaid and Volun
tary citizen sold iers, upon whose assist
nnce we must largely rely in time Of
- -. Sea Coast Defenses.
During the past year rapid progress has
been made toward the completion OF the
scheme adopted for the erection and arma-
ment OF fortihcatons along our seacoast
while equal progress has been made in pro-
vidng the material for submarine defense
in connection with these works. 1t Is pecul-
fairly gratifying at this time to note the
great advance that has been made In this
Important undertaking since the date of
my annual message 70 the Fifty-thrd con-
gress at the opening of its second SEES
sion, In December 1898. At that time in
formed the congress Of the approaching
completion Of Pinch. % 10-inch and "a |
s-inch high power steel guns and IS Pinch
This total then seemed insignificant when
compared with the great work remaining
% be done. Yet Il was none the less
source Of satisfaction TO every citizen
when he reflected that IL represented the
first inStallment OF the new ordnance Of |
American design and American manufac-
ture, and demonstrated our ability 10 sup
ply from our own resources guns Of uneX-
celled power and accuracy. At that date,
however, there were practically no car
riages upon which 10 mount those guns, |
and only 81 emplacements for guns and CT
Tor mortars. Nor were all these emplacc-
nIents in condition TO receive their arma-
ment. Only one high-power gun was at
thai time IN position 'or the defense Of the
entire coast. Since lat time the number
OF guns actually completed has been IN
creased to y 12-inCh 56 ten-inch; 81 eight
inch high-power breech-loading steel ten
m nj d ra md ri
tars. In addition there are In process of
construction o. one 1G-inCh type gun, 80 p
inch, 50 ten-incD, u eight-inch high-power
guns and 66 Pinch rifled mOrtars; in all
428 guns aud mortars.
During the same year Immediately pre-
crding the message referred to the first
modem gun carriage had been completed
end IL more We're in process OF construc-
ton All but one were Of the non-disap-
pearing type. These, however, were not |
such as to secure necessary cover for the
artillery gunners against the intense fire
OF modern machine rapid-tire and high
power guns The inventive genius OF
ordnance and civilian experts has been