Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-12-08
rather than respond TO the wishes and
i'm r,1rf IInifi1ss of local tiaA

should now be allotted TO the erection OF
necessary quarters for the garrisons as
Isigncd to the coast defense, where many
men will be needed to properly care for
md operate modern guns. 1T is essential
90. that early provision be maze 10 sup
oily the necessary force OF artillery 4
meet the demands of this service
The entire army has now been equipped
with the new ma gaZne arms and wis
policy demands that all available publi
and private resources should be SO EN-
ployed as to provide within Il reasonable
time d sufficient number to supply th'
state militia with these modern wea poni
and provide, an ample reserve for any
emergency.
The organized militia numbers 1I2.S7s
men. The appropriations for its support
BY the several states approximate $500
600 annually. and 100000 Is contributed
by the general government. Inyestiga-
ton shows these troops to be usually
well drilled and inspired with much mill
tary interest, but in many instances they
are so deficient in proper arms and
equipment that sudder call to active
duty would find them iriadequately pre-
pared for field service. 1 therefore rec
ommend that prompt measure he taken
to remedy this condition, and that every
encouragement be given to this deserv-
ing body of unpaid and voluntary citizen
largely rely in time of trouble
SEACOAST DEFENSE.
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
seacoast. while equal progress has been
made in providing the pSterial for sub
marine defense in connection with these
works
1t is peculiarly gratifying at this time
to note the great advance that has been
made in this important undertaking
since the date of my annual message
to the ffty-third congress at the opening
OF its second session. In December, 1888.
At that time uniformed the congress
OF the approaching completion of r.
inch. 20 I0-inch and 81 S-inch high power
steel guns. and 70 12-inch rifed mortars
This total 10 seemed insignificant when
compared with the great work remain
ing to be done. Yet it was none the less
a source OF satisfaction 10 every citizen
when he reflected that 1t represented the
first installment of the new ordnance OF
American design and American manufac-
turo and demonstrated our ability TO sup
ply from our own resources guns of un
exceIled power and accuracy.
A that date. however, there were prac
tically no carriages upon which to mount
these guns. and only 81 emplacements
Tor guns and 64 for mortars. Nor wer,
all these emplacements in condition tc
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 number of guns
actually completed has been Increased to
"A total OF II 12-inch. IS l0-inch 81 s-inch
high-power breeehloading steel guns. Il
rapid-fre guns and So l2-inch rifled NOR
tars In addition there are in process OF
construction l6-inch type gun. 80 I2-inch
56 le-inch, - s-inch high-power guns and
81 l2-inch rifed Inortars, in all Az guns
and mortars.
During the same year. Immediately pre-
ceding the message referred to. the first
modern gun carriage had been completed
and II more were in process of construc-
ton.
All but one We're of the non-disappear-
ing type. These, however. were not such
as to secure necessary cover for the ar
tillery gunners against the intense fire
OF modern machine rapid-fire and high
power guns.
The inventive genius OF ordnance and
civilian experts has been taxed in design |
ing carriages that would obviate this |
fault. resulting. il is believed, in the |
solution of this difficult problem. Since |
1893 the number of gun carriages con- !
structed or building has been raised TO a |
total of 12q of which 90 are on the disap- |
pearing principle. and the number of NOR |
tar carriages TO l52 while the % emplace-
ments which We're provided for prior 10
that time have been increased 10 2s0 built
and building.
This improved SITUATION is largely due
TO the recent generous response of con-
gress to the recommendations of the war
department Thus we shall soon have
complete about one-fifth of the compre-
hensive system, the first step in which
was noted in my message to the con-
gress on Dec. 4, 1898. When 1t Is un-
derstood that masonry emplacementl
not only furnishes platform for the
heavy modern high-power gun. but also
in every particular serves the purpose
and takes the place OF the fort of former
days. the Importance OF the work ac-
complished is better conS,rehended
In the hope that the Wa Will be prose
cuted with no less vigor IN the future.
the secretary of war has submitted an |
estimate by which, if allowed. there will |
be provided and either built or building by |
the end OF the next fiscal year such add
tional guns, mortars. gun carriages ana |
emplacements. as Will represent not FAR |
from one-third OF the total work TO ne |
done under the pian ADOPTED 1or our coast |
de1enses-thus aHorulng prospect tnat
the entire work VIII De substantially |
completed WITHIN SlN years. IN less time |