The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-08-18
Small Squads at Present Detailed
to Man Very Important
FortifcationS.
CARETAKERs FOR BATTERIES.
General Miles Will Soon Make Tour
of Inspection and File
Report.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 1.-THE
recommendation of General Miles. look
ing to the esta blishment OF new artillery
posts in connection with the approved
scheme of the country's coast defenses is
a subject which is occasioning much IN
terest in military circles. As already
stated in THE CALL, General Miles recon-
mcndeG that as number of new batteries
had been built and guns placed thereon,
and as those at other points were nearing
completion, it was important that artillery
troops should be stationed at those places
to insure the preservation of batteries and
guns, and 10 afford the men and officers
an opportunity to practice with them.
Previously TO making the recommends
ton the general gave the subject serious
reflection. Coast defenses he regards as a
question OF which both the army and the
country ought to be seriously concerned.
HIS suggestions were based upon personal
observation and thorough knowledge OF
requirements.
Secretary Lamont has given the recon-
mendations preliminary consideration.
The official conclusion has practically
been reached that places where new bat
teries have been established and where
they are soon to be put, should have
troops to look out for the Notifications.
The only question in the case seems to be
how many men shall be assigned and the
manner and length of their detail. There
appears to be a disposition not to per-
manently reduce the strength OF estab-
lished posts, for the reason that at many
of these it is only a question Of time until
new batteries and modern guns are placed
there. II Congress will provide tor one or
two additional regiments of artillery
the difficulty will be solved, but until
Congress appropriates money it is argued
this is not possible. There are exceptions
to this rule, noticeable in the case OF Fort
Hancock. Troops are required now
and from the pre- sent time forward need
of their presence will become greater. 1t
can be stated as q fact that Secretary
Lamont viii order force of artillery to
Hancock at the earliest possible date.
In course of time, or as soon as ade-
ouate quarters and barracks are provided,
there viii be four batteries at this station.
But for such places as Fort Washington,
on the Potomac River, q different propo-
sition is under consideration. This is
temporarily to detail for a certain period
of time a suitable squad of soldiers to be
taken from an adjacent post as caretakers
of batteries and guns. Some such ar
rangement is now in force at Lime Point,
San Francisco Harbor. General Graham
commanding the Preside, orders from
time to time detachment of men for SER
vice at that place. Those who favor this
"a ife a6oDfiOY1 10 m araiU
a temporary expedient. In time they say
there is no doubt that new defenses must
constitute new posts, but for the present
they seem to think that, all things con-
sidered, it will be sufficient to detail from
every station squads of men under nom
commissioned officers as caretakers
of new batteries and guns. Those
who favor that General Miles recommen-
dations be carried out literally as suggested
don't favor the idea of ordering temporary
caretakers to new batteries. They claim
that at a number of artillery stations there
is now an unnecessarily large number of
troops and that a force from these ought
to be detached and sent to the modern de-
lenses. They summarize their views by
the remark that it is neither good policy
nor necessary to make two bites of a
cherry. They refer especially to the artil-
lery post at Washington and argue that
that station could be dispensed with en-
tirely, providing at once four batteries for
service elsewhere. They regard it as I'M
military to assign 10 modern -defenses
temporary details of men.
One Officer. speaking of the matter said
to The CALL correspondent: The army
will be made ridiculous before the country
if al points where there are modern forti-
fications we place squad of men. When
ever possible we should establish regu-
lar forces at these places. OF course, Con-
gress must come to the rescue; but the
army cannot afford to be put in the light
of not properly and prom pity garrisoning
its new coast defenses. Do we eyer fail
promptly to send men to new infantry or
cavalry posts Z"
An officer OF high rank, whose views on
all questions are conservative, said that it
was only a question of time until General
Miles recommendation were adopted lit
araIIv as made. He meant by this, he said,
that the more carefully recommendations
were considered the wiser and sounder
they would appear.
Az already intimated in The CALLS dis
matches General Miles has in contempla-
ton an important tour Of inspection. He
proposes at an early, convenient date TO
visit number of Western posts, lnclud-
ing several which he has never seen, and
others which may in the near future be
abandoned. The generals departure will
depend upon the condition OF public BUSH
ness. at present he is unable to say Just
when he will start on his tour. a number
of questions of importance are now pend
ing. and he does not think of going away
IN til these have been disposed OF.
1t is a fact not generally known through
out the army that proposition is under
consideration by the authorities to aban-
don several army posts no longer thought
essential. For reasons satisfactory 10
themselves the officials decline at present
to give the names of the posts. Upon his
return to Washington General Miles VIII
make a report to the Secretary OF war as
ID the results of his inspection. la the re-
port he will make such recommendations
as he deems advisable relative to the con-
dition of the posts under discussion, to-
i - = h.