The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-12-17

hfbits satisfactory conditions in the several
branches of the public service intrusted to
his charge. 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 appar-
ent throughout its entire organization.
With the exception of delicate duties In
the suppression of slight Indian disturb
ances along our southwestern boundary,
in which the Mexican troops co-operated,
and the compulsory but peaceful return,
with the consent of Great Britain of a
band of Cree Indians from Montana to
the British possessions, no active opera
tons have been required of the army dur
ing the year past.
Changes in the method Of administration
the abandonment of unnecessary posts, and
the consequent concentration of troops,
and the exercise of care and vigilance by
the various officers charged with the re-
sponsbility in the expenditures of the ap-
preparations, have resulted in reducing to
a minimum the cost of maintenance of
our military establishment.
During the past year the work of con-
structing permanent infantry and cavalry
posts has been continued at places here
tofore designated. The secretary of war
repeats his recommendation that appropria-
tons for barracks and quarters should
more strictly conform to the need of the
service, as judged by the department.
rather than respond to the wishes and inn
portunities 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 gar
risons assigned to the coast defenses, where
many men will be needed to properly care
for and operate modern guns. 1t is es-
sential, too, that early provision be made
to supply the necessary force of artillery
- 49,
Coast Fortihcations.
During the past year, rapid progress has
been made toward the completion of the
scheme adopted for the protection and
armament of Notifications along our sea-
coast, while equal progress has been made
In providing the material for submarine
defenses in connection with these works
1t is peculiarly gratifying, at this time
10 note the great advance that has been
made in this important undertaking since
the date of my annual message to the SD
congress at the opening of its second an
nual session in December, 1893. At that
time, l Informed the congress of the ap-
preaching completion of nine Pinch, 20 10
men. and "a 8-inch high-power steel guns,
and % Pinch rifled mortars This total
then seemed insignificant compared with
the great work remaining to be done, yet it
was none the less a source of satisfaction
10 every citizen when he reflected that it
represented the first fnstallment of the new
ordnance of American design and American
manufacture, and demonstrated our ability
to supply from our own resources guns of
unexceled power and accuracy. At that
oate however, there were practically no
carriages upon which to mount these guns
ana only 81 emplacementS for guns and
"a for mortars. Nor were all these en-
placements in condition to receive their
armament. Only one high-power gun was
at that time in position for the defense of
the entire coast. Since that time the num-
Der of guns actually completed has been
increased to q Pinch, Sc 10-inch, and 81
8-iEch rified mortars
In addition there are in process of con-
struction one 16-inch-type gun, so 12-inch
s. 1OSinch, q S-inch high-power guns, and
66 Pinch rified mortars, in all 42S guns and
mortars.