The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-14
FORTS READY FOR FIGHTING.
DEFENsEs ALONG THE SOUTH At
LANTIC NEARLY COMPLETED.

No One in Authority Looking for
War But the Army and Navy In Exc
ceIIent Condition 10 Keep OF In
trudcrs II IL should Come The
Secretary of War Spending S1O,-
OOO,OOO This Year for HarbOr ana
Coast Defenses.
Washington, Nov. 13.-In the event OF
war between the United States and Spains
growing out of the Cuban complications,
Uncle Sam will find his army and navy
in excellent condition to keep off foreign
intruders.
No one who is familiar with the policy
Of President Cleveland, seriously contem-
plates war with Spain. Notwithstanding
the sensational stories TO that effect which,
have been put forth from Washington
within the past two or three days. 1t Ia
known that the American people. from the
President down to the humblest citizens
sympathze with the Cuban patriots In
their gallant struggle for independence
but up to the present writing there has
been no overt act by Spain against the
United States to justify interference bY
Uncle Sans forces.
1t was while Investigating this subject
that ascertained that the Secretary of
War is spending s1OOOO.OOO this year for
harbor and coast defenses. Notwlthstand-
ing the fact that this is an unusually
large sum to be expended in a single year
for fortihcatlons, the excitement over the
political situation has overshadowed, for
the time being, the great work OK
strengthening our seacoast cities, espec-
tally those along the South Atlantic shore-
Charleston. Savannah, Pensacola and Key
West are included in the scheme of inn
provement now in progress, in addition
to Galveston Mobile and various points
on the Mississippi river. The work on a
majority Of these new fortifcations has
progressed to such an extent that Gem
Craghill, chief engineer Of the armys
stated to-day that he expects to havs
them completed by the middle Of next
MONTH Gen. Flagler, chief of ordnance,
says he has been keeping right up with
the engineer corps, and he will be pre-
pared to arm and equip these fortihca-
tions as soon as they are ready to re-
celye the guns, ammunition and other
The mortar battery on sullivan's Is-
! land in Charleston harbor, Is nearing COM
| pletion, and should be ready for occu-
| pancy by Dec. 15 next. II Will be equipped
| with twelve mortars of modern type
twelve inch, mounted on spring return-
| ing carriages, carrying projectiles 800 and
| 1000 pounds at long and short range re-
spectively. To properly man such bat-
| terry. the services of 225 men will be re-
| qured The detail of officers and men
will be left to the general of the armys
| and already, that subject Is under con-
/ A Of fhat r1afarf faF
men, would be capable Of defending
| Charleston harbor against any ordinary
| force. The conditions there are so favo-
rable for the spreading of torpedoes. that
| the harbor could be completely blockaded
at short notice while the battery held ths
enemy at bay.
THE work on the new fertilization In sa-
vannah harbor has been retarded, owing
| to the delay In determining the course oc
| the channel. Gen. Craighill says there
| have been some changes in the original
| plans for the Improvement of the harbor.
| and the new fertilization could not be To-
Gated until the channel question was de-
! termined. The latter problem having BEEN
| settled, the work on the fertilization will
| be pushed forward with all haste, and ID
will be similar to that in Charleston har-
| Dor.
The work at Pensacola Is progressing
satisfactorily, and steps will be taken to
select the site for the new fertilization at
Key West. The latter place was not down
in the original list of places to be forth
fed, but Gen. Craighill, who has just re-
turned from an inspection of the SOUTH
ern fortlcfications, concluded that Key
West should be strengthened.
The present administration evidently
believes in the old adage, ''in time OF
peace prepare for war" year ago the
southern coast was lily prepared for AM
attack from Spain or any other maritime
nation. With all the new fortihcations
in operation together with others to be
added during the coming year, we can put
up a strong defense all along our sea
coast Thus 1t will appear that the navy
has not been alone in the preparation for
| war.