The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-05
MEN FOR THE BIG GUNS.
THE CHAMBER Or 90
WANTS MORE SOLDIERS.

a Memorial TO tho President ana Conrreus
Asking rr the Enlistment OF 1000 We're
Artnierymcn TO Handle the Great Conrs
Defence Guns IL Adopted U~nnnimously.
President Mckinley and Congress- were called
upon by the Chamber of Commerce yesterday -
take immediate action toward providing n force
OF trained artillerymen for tho proper manning
of our seacoust defenccs. The resolution was
adopted at the regular monthly meeting of the
Chamber, which was attended by about sixty
members. President Alexander E.. Orr was in
tho chair. The resolution formed part Of the
report submitted by A. Foster Higgins, Chair.
man OF the Committee on Harbor and Shipping,
as follows: w.,
Whereas. The United States Is now constructive
modern seacoast defences to include over 500 hirh.
power guns. 1000 l2.inch mortars. and $50 rapid nr.
ing guns, to be grouped at over 10 different points IN
about twenty-five different harbors. and has made
appropriation for over $50 high.power guns and about
the same number OF i9.inch mortars, of which one-ha,f
can BIO In their cmplacements by june. 1898, and ,.ll
Whereds. The present United states artillery foruo
Ia wholly inadequate In number to caro- for and prop
erly man these guns in their emplacements, or to b
properly organized into 4 defensive system or TO fur
nish q nucleus of instructed artillerymen for the
proper manning of these defences In case OF war be u
Resolved That we; the Chamber OF Commerce Of
urgent need of an increase In number OF the Federal
ARTILLERY Artillery force, 70, to properly insure the vast amount q
destruction aud lSyy n Of consrisutioas that lsSaaia
be visited upon us In tho event Of war with foreign
nations, do earnestly request and urge the Presldent
and Congress OF the United States to take such i'm.
mediate action AZ will provide n force Of trained
a aei, = "nd ' i, Is s1 Se RiTSPsSr S By rs sSs q ,f en|ii sssGSsss
batteries requiring q numerical Increase OF the army
or about 1000 artillerymen 10 absolutely necessary
to accomplish these purposes.
In regard to the report of his committee. Mr.
Higgins said:
l need hardly say no element of jinRoism 10 ep-
tcrtaincd by your committees; this Chambor'a
attitude has always been for honorable peac6,
md / may say with pride that its moral tonei6
based upon too high and noble principles to con.
template with any coinplaccncy the creation by
or the possession OF n forco by the Governments
to be ever used to tho injury of the Innocent,
weak. Yet II. is wisdom that nations, 40 well az
individuals, shall seek TO adapt themselves to eY-
listing conditions, and to try to avert and prepare
for owls VIC have The world has not arrived
ticc, or the most widespread and indignant
statement OF nhumano utragcs ever accomplish
even n single effective measure of atonement
for or correction OF the evil. Weakness still in.
vitcs aggression by the strong, and self-protec-
ton is still n duty. Tho Government of the
United States, by making itself impregnablo
against attack, and known TO possess n power to
be dreaded IL provoked, can the better and
stronger present to tho world It's example OF o
Government by the people, aud the more effect
tho weak and suffering of the world who seek
her shores"
Tho remarks OF Mr.. Higgins were vigorously
applauded. and tho resolution was adopted
some informal talk after adjournment. Several
OF those present were disposed to consider the
relations of Spain with the United States of q
nature likely to lead to a crisis at any time.