The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-06
OUR SEACOAST DEFENCES.
WORK ar ALE IMPORTANT PORTS
CONC AHEAD RAPIDLY.

neroeNn Actton wall nave = Gooo Bne0s On
ConGrs-s-rt nelps % Kneck stocks Dewn
Hsrs-socretary AiEsr VIII Ash for olo.-
900. 900 and an Increase or the ARTILLERY.
WAsHrSaToN, Nov. b.-The action Of tho
New York Chamber: Of Commerce in adopting
resolutions favoring an increase Of artillery
regiments of tho army created some war talk
here to-day, but did not cause o ripple at the
regular Cabinet meeting. Most Of the talk was
INDUCED in by officers of tho army and navy.
who were asked for opinions about the present
military status Of tho United States. These
officers arc always glad to indulge In pyro-
technics about foreign trouble, and they will
frankly explain that tho moro tho subject is
agitated the better IL win DO fo- the army and
navy, for Congress Is sometimes impressed by
the hue and cry over the condition Of the sea-
coast defenoes and the smallness Of tho navy.
There is no doubt that the Notifications ara
not far enough advanced to insure absolute
safety from attack at all the important ports.
The project of defence now being carried out
was begun too recently to secure the fullest
possible protection at this tune, but the work
is going ahead rapidly, and II the plans Of SEQ
Rotary Alger are carried out, the seacoast de-
fence system Of tho United States will DO the
most perfect In the world.
All the war talk was based on the probable
ity Of hostilities with Spain. Nevertheless,
the President and his Cabinet transacted their
business to-day without any exhibition Of
alarm over the situation. Members of the Cab
met said after the meeting that there was abso-
lutely nothing new in regard to the ncgotia-
tions between Gen. woodford and the Spanish
Ministry, and that the present aspect OF the
case was the same as ii was when Gen. Wood
ford received Spain's answer to his represents
tons about Cuban affairs. Two Cabinet off,
GERS said that the Cu~ban.Spanish situation was
not even discussed at tho meeting.
W were talking politics." was the re-
Spouse of several of tho Presidents official ad.
visers, and as to-day was the first opportunity
that Mr.. Mckinley and the Cabinet have had
to discuss the elections Of Tuesday, there Is NO
reason to doubt this statement. Several tele-
grams relating to the furry in Wall street were
sent to the Cabinet room, and they were read
The officials of the War and Navy departments
think the res RESOLUTIONS Of the Chamber y 4 TO, OF
Years Years. the h t several Secretaries ri of War have called
f saee.'n In =. 1855 c IaSSssV enacted Legislation
Fortiications, and since Then, much progress
on the Dee seaboard. Il was not until last year,
however, that Congress appropriated o sub
HIhnIlhl aIlOuuL U GAIT INK On III NOEk- d
the act Of June 8, 1896, the sum Of %, $780, 900
was appropriated, making a total OF Y26,457.-
100 since 1883, when the country awokc to.the
necessity OF providing modern Notifications.
Tho War Department forestalled the action of
the Chamber of Commerce concerning an In
cations assumed positive shape, it was realised
that the Ave Eegiments Of artillery, composing
board Of competent officers was appointed to
ascertain how many additional soldiers were
oe'd sss e 1slan liter and Eiiif Ing ias fHst. eoss.s soi ne
board recently decided that two more regi-
indorses.this Recommendation, and he is per
fecting o scheme for putting the cavalry regi-
ments on Q skeleton basis. 30 a. to give more
Secretary Alser win have a great deal to say
n MS report aeo on.o G0sst ae aSoHt al he " AK ask
more to complete the work already under way
or projected So quietly has the work Of erect
lively few people know how much has been
accomplished: Washington people, for instance,
% n5e Rna'if' ortIsoa iao0sanss aS % f been fA een shHs ted
within a dozen miles Of the national capital
to protect.it against hostile attack. As in all
Sheridan on the Potomac are not visible to
the people who go down the river in excursion
fSsts i. T poih Rows so ind funs S Scn S %eS ale xS aRa
highway to tho capital is guarded,
Preparations have been completed at the
sea coast defences at Fort Delaware, Del, and
Firms Point. N; J: DIRECTLY opposite to each
other; Battery / of the Fourth rt Artillery, now
between the two. Fort Delaware will be bat
tory headquarters and an officer and twelve
men will garrison Firms Point,
A final test Of a 12-inch disappearing gun car
riage Of tho Bpfflngton-Cr oEier typo will DO
made at the Sandy Hook PROVING grounds next
large type. The test will be for rapidity only, as
tho carriage has passed all other requirements.