The times., 1898-11-14


of the department this work can be car
ried on economically and in the most ef-
ficient manner in such a way as TO COM
plete the present plan in about seven
years. Estimates ought to be submitted
each year for so much of the work as the
facilities for its production will permit.
1T rests with Congress TO determine how
much of the work can be provided for
each year consistently with the resources
of the country. But the work cannot pro-
gress faster than the appropriations pro-
vide for
1T is probable that there must be added
to the plans and estimates for the coast
defense some provision for the defense
OF added possessions
The report refers to the difficulties of
the department, which have been en-
HANGED and multiplied since last February
by the lack of experienced ordnance Off
GERS.
The much-abused caliber .45 Springfield
rifle, with which nearly all the volunteer
regiments were equipped is defended by
Gen. Flagler, who says:
1T is not claimed by this Department
that the caliber As, single loader. is equal
TO the United States magazine rifle, cali
Der 30 which replaced ii; but 1t is claime1
that it is by no means as inferior as has
been asserted.
Stress has been laid upon the fact that
the magazine arm could be fired more
rapidly than the Springfield. AS the lat
ter can be fired fourteen rounds per min
ute and as a soldier who fires efficiently
to hit In battle must determine the
range. set his sight select the object 10
be fired at and take correct aim, and
cannot therefore usually fire more than
one round perminute, this is matter
of minor Importance
Battleships Against batteries.
THE war;" continues the report, has
furnished no opportunity for determining
by experience the effect of our modern
seacoast armament against modern bat
tleships The reports of the experience
gained, however, tend to confirm the
opinion that the fire from ships cannot
silence the fire or seriously cripple the
armament of our modern batteries; that
the ships could not withstand the fire OF
our modern batteries, and that therefore
the ships cannot attack the batteries sue
cessfully Whether the ships can run py
the batteries without too great risk has
NOT been shown. This will depend on the
skill and rapidity with which the guns
are served provided the ships are hot
stopped by the mines
Referring to pneumatic dynamite guns
for coast defense, the report states
"On the outbreak of hostilities between
this country and Spain the department
at once placed in serViceable cohuitloi
the rheumatic dynamite-gun batteries lo-
Gated at the ports of New YORK anu SAN
Francisco. A supply of explosive Seiatin
WIS procured for filling the she'll anu
arrangements made with the company lor
dIling the shell and doing any neeoiul
work required on the fuses which were IN
store.
"Two more batteries of the guns, con-
tanning one hfteen-inch gun each, with
carriages, power plant, proJectiles, ana
all other necessary material for their SER
vice are now located, and the guns, ETC.
are being manufactured bY the eoii
tractor.
AT the outbreak OF the war ammuni-
tion was on hand as follows: 2l,coO rounds
for the 32-inch guns $500 rounds FOR the
3.6-inch guns, and $500 rounds for the 3D.
inch mortars.
THE original issue of powders for the
field guns, except for the mortars, was
charcoal powder, that being on hand al
the time but the manufacture OF smoke
less powder for all commenced at once
and all deliveries after the original de-
liveries were powder of this character.
The howitzers that were sent to Santiago
were without the proper eleVatinS de-
vices. and although this would have made
the service of the piece more dificult, YET
as the gun is without preponderance there
would have been no trouble in securing
the proper elevations. This Is known
from the fact that these howitZers have
been fired at the proving ground very fre-
quently without any elevating apparatus.
During the period from April l to Au-
gust 81, there was issued 1885, rliles;
20ssI carbines; 22,s1S revolvers, and
63. So, ,572 cartridges"