The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-17
THE COAST OFFENCE CONTENTION.
Ex-Gov. Mitchell Tells OF the Quick Re-
Spouse 70 the Call Tor the Tampa Meeting.

Ex-aov. MttcheII Tells OF the Qulck He-
Spouse u the Gail for the Tampa Meeting.
TAMPA. Fla. Jan. 13.-It is now clear that
the convention called by Gov. Mitchell Of
Florida, tn be held here on Jan. 20. to con-
slider a systematic. movement for establishing
ana maintaining completcr coas: de.onces
along the Atlantic and Gulf OF Mexico boun-
daries. Is going to be n historic gathering.
THE convention has outgrown my expecta-
tions already. II signs count for aught." said
eN-Gov. Mitchell n day or two ago. II was
fully impressed with the Importance OF such
a step. when | called. this meeting. but | was
afraid that interest would not be awakened
In tne 10 warrant such decisive steps rs It
seems now we can easily take.
I'm answer to the Invitations which were
sent out to every Governor In the country we
have received most encouraging assurances.
1t is evident that the attendance will DO large
and the plan and purpose OF the convention
VIII he entered upon with enthusiasm. Many
Of the States will have delegations here ap-
pointed by the Governors. New York was
among the frst to appoint n delegation. This
serves to show that tho convention will DO
national In It's scope as II should be. and US
We had hoped. TO make II all along.
The time has certainly come when this
country must take more interest in coast de-
inces. Relations with foreign nations for tie
past few years have not been such as would
warrant neglect OF our water boundaries.
Think Of the defenceless condition OF the south
Atlantic coast: how the entire Dorder from
Fortress Monroe around TO PENSACOLA Is ALSO
lutely without anything like a well-equipped
fort; how the places where they are needed are
simply marked by the relic Of some old spot Of
history. like Moultrie and Sumter and tho
like. and, then think how bad would be the sit
| A GhnUlA ma al hAn1WaA a.
In a war with Spain.
1t has now been about two years since the
miles from our sou1ber IN most .o, ss bounyy
dairy. What have we at Key Westf Moth
Ing but q mass OF brick walls, which we ell
placed here and there on sandbanks. And yet
that fort is.only ninety miles from Havana,
wheie for two years there has been n war in
progress which has more than once come with
IN a hair'ss breadth q thiowins this country
ably by es-Gov. Mitchell or Gov. Bloxham. the
newly inaugTTsted Governor OF Florida. Tho
Board OF Trade of Tampa.
4 man well acquainted with the work to DO
laid out for the conye, ton said to-day.
In view Of the purpose of the coast defence
present condition Of the Southern water boun-
Monroe and that In progress at Pensacola for
several years there has been very little done
for the defence Of southern ~harbors. 1t is
true that. In consequence OF the increased
approximation of last year for general coast
defence plans. BY which the Southern coast
guns, have been placed at Pensacola aud
Charleston. and eight-inch guns Will DO put In
At Tybee. near savannah; Twelve-ineh guns are
DO placed Mt Port Royal. s. o.. where there is
a navy yard. But the forts have only u few
only an ordnance sergeant stalking about tho
forts TO guard the proper ",
By tho act OF CONGRESS last year an appro-
DrlntlO1 OF NJ hDD. OD0 WAQ mazda fnr mn and
mortar batteries. of which not more than $780,.
600 Is to DO used for constructing buildings. 1t
emergency 81 ould demand II tho chief OF en-
gineers might mako contracts for work Of i'm
to an additional s 800. 900. but this Smount
was not directly Appropriated. and the con.
tracts. II made at all for the work. would have
builder. who would have TO shoulder the ak
pense and depend upon the, willingness of
thus condlt.onally set forth.
with wa'er boundary OF, say. 5000 or 1000
niles, and an appropriation OF only 81, 6oo.-
been paying. but little attention 10 It's harbors
and coast Notifications. and II must DO re-
1899 was In excess OF any appropriation for
the purpose In the past.
Juno, according To the report OF Chief OF En-
dsns, around New YORK, Della Sa %S'h hi ~ss T S@d
in the present prospect for coast defence com.
prises the following totals OF guns; Thirty
ak l6-inch guns. zoe l2-inch guns. 40 To-
inch guns, 100 s-inch guns. $50 5-inch guns.
rapid lire; lSl six. FOUNDER, rapid fire; "a 10
inch mortars. l,048 l2-inch mortars.
This liSt. which has been made out and
adopted for tho new plan OF coast defence.
is, however. subject 10 change. The amount
OF money expended IN coast defence up to Aug.
~. 1895. according to the report of the Chief
OF Engineers, was S3,4lT.670, and tho am, unit
allotted for authorized work In addition now
pending Is 81, pa. $50. These amounts ILL
clude the nppro lriation last wear. aud what
was already III hand for sucl work. The amount
o. II Lney allowed for supplying Lorped0cs
was 500 900. and 1t Is proposed to nut In
three more. easements, there being already
twenty-eight. Under the new plan II is pro-
posed to, improve the condition OF those ports
which have subrr arine mines. Gable stor-
age tanks and torpedo storehouses will be put
In at those ports which have received all or a
part OF their mine equipment, One hundred
thousand dollars Is requested to continue this.
Ttls outline OF the present condition OF
things explains the great need for tho or
aaniZed effort contemplated by the Tampa Con-
Vention, 10 procure an Improved state OF things
along tho coast.
Nothing is known definitely ye. as to the
exact procedure OF the convention. Ex-Gov.
Mitchell says II will be time enough 10 man
out \ plan after the matter has been discussed
thoroughly by the delegates from the yart-
GUS states No programme has been fixed.
except thai for tho entertainment OF tho visit
Ing delegRtionk."