New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-22
WAR DEPARTMENTS WORK.
A FULL AND INTERESTING REPORT
FROM SECRETARY ALGER.


RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MANY IMPROVEMENT
GENERAL MILES WANTS MORE SOLDIERS
HIGH STANDING OF MEN NOW
IN THE RANKS.
washington. Nov Ain his report OF me au,
rr,ristration Of the War Department for the hseai
year ended on June 80. 1897 Secretary Aiser mas
departed somewhat from the usual custom Va "'
predecessors Instead Of reviewing the reports "a
the commanding generals and the heads o, p''f
and submitting his views upon the various SUI
fs.,a he has obtained from the officers mmediateiS
responsible a synopsis, In letter form. ehDIdoNIs
the more important matters contained IN theif ie
norts and also recommendations for such ieeisia,
lion as they think will tend TO the improvement VI
their respective departments These letters 10
submits in full In his report. and follows 'nei ~
remarks and recommendations Of his own Inc
change OF plan IN submitting the report waS NC
cessitated says the Secretary. by the TACT .a' o'
the last quarter of the fiscal year fell "i'h'h NIB
term. .
Among the many interesting matters Of which
the report treats. large number are contained III
the letter of Major General Nelson A. Miles, COM
nanding the Army In 1t he submits the special
reports Of the various generals at the mead OF the
departments under him. and summarizes 'heir
statements In his own words Extracts from tne
letter follow:
i The Army. although Inadequate in point OF num-
bers. never IN higher state Of efficiency,
.S sesr In a the S MAJ
the the Atlantic and Gulf coasts especially in the
anees adopted for the deiencs Of the coasts
In this 20 o Mgf Roage espec
spector Of artillery OF the Department; also TO the
ms az and f their concefn
the increased efficiency Of the artillery service ana
as gunners and gunnery specialists shall receive
proper compensation. fully concur
nasums and drill halls required especially along
commands 10 be properly instructed and exercised
seasos: Also In his reeemmendados eoncerning
general service clerks.
The progress that has been made on the Pacific
Coast In the establishment Of modern batteries Of
ar,esy has made It Necessary to aeeeeupy new
very commanding position known formerly as Lime
Point has received portion Of It's armament and
defence Of The hsrbor Of San Francisco The name
Of Lime Point has been changed to Fort Baker,
Who Killed C. ss E Finn Bak
IL will be noticed by General Skaters report that
very active and earnest work is being done in put
ag mat important hareor in condition Of proper
Pacific Coast. especially at San Diego. Cal. and
Sia River, Oregon. and also the entrance to Puget
Sound. Washington.
Merriam. Commanding the Departnen ut o Of the
Columbia. especially to the importance OF larger
Oregon. and 10 his report on the condition and
necessities Of the great Territory. Of Alaska.
NECESSITY FOR TROOPS IN ALASKA
Alaska Is IN extent eleven times the area of the
state OF New-York. The recent discovery Of rich
gold fields. together with valuable silver and cop
Territory are attracting. and viii attract very
more stable civil government and also the occupa.
ton OF important points by military and by naval
been made for military roads. establishment of
ing and blocking out the way for occupation Of the
nd hs the same liberal sp should bout S
manifested toward that great and important Terri
As far as practicable IT would In my opinion, be
advisable 70 have Its waters thoroughly examined
that purpose: and as military, recopnOitrins and
exploring psr,e; In past years have been sent into
should b continued on larger and more liberal
population, composed Of some twe..ty thousand
ne SUPPLIED sTa srms bsS
may become turbulent and troublesome. Such has
Territories Hence II would be but reasonable to
anticipate the necessities for military forces In that
give protection TO the White settlers and to aid in
our Country During the last en yearS p 1s' at
sses S o BY shs s az the
suits are now becoming apparent. Approximately
%s ssvs S:sn SS d s hs fsSSs
70 put the country In safe condition Of defence
ern foriiacsions and hIgh-power guns Of great
force ard msgnituds These weapons for defence ,s
carriage 'smplassment and ammunition costs on
Working Order and man them In time Of hostility
Iq ps Of aad .o IL Ss
Although the general desire Of our people Is to
policy he men Il 4 one q good
nothing could be more intudicious than TO remain
in condition OF insecurity and permit the lives
Generations to be destroyed or endangered by any
foreign power with which we are liable to come
Which has Been n adopted BY should
be steadily pursued until the Nation Is In con
eef op Is Would demand therefofe rec
that in Ss ognS .ams he for es
for the work which is required under the engineer,
a. nS nsedsG for
ton of platforms emplacements and fortircations,
construction q modern sEh,PoTrT gums am o 5uS
ings. quarters and barracks for troops:
FOR SPECIAL COAST DEFENcEs.
For the mouth Of the Penobsoot River $4,000;
mouth of the Kennebec River. Maine. rsssOo; Port
land. Ne, n.l7aooo: Portsmouth,. N. H., $4,000;
gSs'Sn na &C.,; Ssssedf Ssfsncs.
i Long island sound $4,000; eastern entrance New
1885, StSS ' approaches 70 pSsSsjpkla: sa 100; ap.
Rroashes to ssltm ss Ts@nton PRoads ass
CO., sppiosshes Wimn.gssoo1 n c. M CO., q
sayapnaSa Ca. Wiaoco key West, Fla, $4,000;
PensaesH HarboI apRTosScns's no MSs,1s
Gaiyeston. Tex s4is, 600; San Diego, CAL SIZE goo;
San Francisco Cal s. sSs o9 Columbia kyer sv @o
The great work that has been going on for the ast
ten years OF placing the 1000 miles Of Atlantic GUT
ard Pacific coasts In proper condition OF oeIence
and upon which the Government has already ex-
pended some Go00 ID progressing a. rapidly ss
ppower guns have been placed in positions requiring
fSe constant and protection OF skilled arthier-
The Ave regiments Of artillery are entirely made
has authorized TO be placed in positions for the
defense 81 the coast. and at least two additional