New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-08
FULLY DEPENDED
AN ARMY OFFICER SAYS wARsHIPs CAN
NOT SHELL THE CITY.
REJOICING IN ARMY CIRCLES OVER THE PASSAGE
OF THE ARTILLERY BILL AND THE PROS
PEcr OF So.ooOoo FOR NATIONAL
DEFENCE - GENERAL MER-
RIFT TO START TO-DAY
FOR KEY WEST.

DEFENCE GENERAL MEN
RIFT TO START TO-DAY
FOR KEY WEST
.1 don't believe a foreign battle-ship could get
into New-York Harbor. near enough to hre a
shot into the city," said o!icer OF the Regular
Army yesterday. I'm the last three or -FOUR years
we have mounted enough big guns TO blow all inc
battle-ships OF the world out or the water Lev
one Of them come within range. and the l-inch
cannon. carrying a shot weighing a ton winch can
he with force that will carry II ten fn,ieS
II II is not stopped can be fired with such nathe-
matical precision that IL can hit wlthln l"eh''
feet Of the point aimed at II 1t should strike
solid vessel its force might be spent IN VAIN ou'
II strikes eight or twelve inches Of steel. with men
and machinery inside VIII they escape INJURY
The armament Of modern war vessels has not been
adequately tested In actual conflict with big guns
on land but would Just as soon trust myset III y
wooden vessel as in one OF them
"suppos,ug the hostile vessel escapes the direct
a q, the fortIhcations there are the batteries OF
mortars TO pour rain Of solid shot and smell upon
her decks They fire up in the air, out OF sieht'
and then IN. projectiles descend three or four
miles with tremendous velocity. No deck mas oeeh
built that can withstand them. B1t, escaping all
this n war vessel would have to run the eanuet
OF the pneumatic dynamite guns ana OF SUP
marine mines and torpedoes No. the people or
New-York need not lie awake nights rearing what
may happen II war breaks out
"New-York and San Francisco are our best-oe-
Tended ports. they are OF the most conmercia
importance Next comes Boston. All are aoe-
ouateiy defended In the last six weeks there nave
h4.n about a score OF guns shipped to various
points On the seacoast. Two were sent 10 BOSTON
uarbor one TO Narragansett Bay. one 10 Fort
Preble Maine: one TO Fort Caswell, North caro-
lima. another 10 Fort Mott, on the Delaware ana
sore to New Orleans We are about 70 seno from
the proving grounds at Sandy Hook. where all the
runs are tested after being received from inc
nrsensls three guns-one Finch and two lO-incn-
10 an island In the Straits OF Fuca, Puget sound,
north OF Seattle. Their weight Is about H"o"
mounds, and suppose will ship them TO Seattle
and they will be sent 10 the Island from there
These are tho last OF the guns ready for use q.
Sandy Hook We shipping powder ana
projectiles but only in the usual quantities AS
a single charge for a 11inch gun weighs ABOUT ~"
mounds however Il Is no slight matter 10 snip
enough for dozen rounds"
An ofrcer OF the Engineer Corps was asked what
would have TO be done II the appropriation OF ~
10000 for additional defences became available.
He said: We are all ready for the expenditure OF
that amount or any part OF 1t. After the Endicot
Board made its report. plans were prepared tor
carrying out it's recommendations for modern de-
fences. The former plans were all for olo-style
guns and Notifications. The Board recommended
the expenditure Of s126 c0o for adequate defences
upon our entire seacoast This was all for land
batteries and torpedo-boets. It was recommended
70 have floating batteries for defence at New-Or-
leans and San Francisco. Torpedo ooats werc
recommended for all points. including eighteen each
for New-York Boston and San Francisco on the
amount recommended TO he expended. about one
fourth has been authorized by Congress- But plans
have been prepared calling for tho expenditure OF
tho entire amount and n more money Is available
we should simply go with the construction Work
under the plans already completed
Tho addition Of two regiments to the artillery
branch Of the Army. and the Introduction q the
bil to authorize the expenditure q 10000 for
National defences were generally discussed IN tho
ATmy on.1 When told Of the news by reporter
for The Tribune SAID ai o o am gao ub ,bs forner
sum a great deal can be done There ought TO be
100000 OF II spent for warshps. We should go
Each one bought will count two for us. for It
means less for Spain or any other zoe; brins
them here and anchor them, and we Will be aae-
quately defended The two new regiments OF artIl-
rymen viii enable , US to u faTs PTop or eSF is
h ssn nd Witch have sS to- BE- carefully
ERE ry Of IL % %sy srfs'
Commanding the Department OF The East, 70 Key
The additional complication in the relations between
The United states end Spain caused 5y tn. intims.
from Havana would please the authorities authorities a. Ma.
dTd attention T. the s. Or po 5ns
10 Spanish possessions. the inspection by General
Merritt Of the forthcations there is Of particular
GENERAL Merritt had come from his headquarters
on Governors Island to the Battery yesterday az
ternoon, when he was met by reporter for Inc
Tribune. Pausng his way uptown he said: My
purpose Is to start my visit OF inspection 10
the fortihcatons the seacoast OF the South to-
morrow at noon. When I was at New-Orleans
week ago contemplated going across country 20
fE Pa rnTnng and
starting from this point. shall go direct to ST.
Augustine and then visit Key West and other
points on the coast OF Florida: ! shall also go 70
our defences the coasts OF Georgia and both
South and North Carolina do not think that |
will go 70 the forts and barracks about Washing
ton and Baltimore 10 Fort Monroe on this trip
but will leave them TO be inspected later In the
snrlng when the weather will be finer In that
vicinity ] shall be away for three weeks
and Lieutenant Strother. Of my personal staff. Will
accompany me-"
Have the new developments In the relations OF
this country Spain any bearing upon your trip"
General Merritt was asked.
None whatever was the reply. II made all
nv plans last week and reason TO change
them I am glad that Congress has passed the
bill for two more regiments OF artillery. Thai will
enable us properly to strengthen the garrisons at
our seaboard Notifications, and 10 put
at ungarrisoned points where they are needed. We
know Just where need men the most"