Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-11-17
FLAGLER'S REPORT.
The Ordnance Bureau Chief Makes
His Annual Statement.
Ills idea ABOUT COAST DEFENSE.
FavOrs Having the Federal Government
Equip Volunteers Instead Of Their
Bringing state Arms into Service
Report on Smoksless Powder.

Washington, Nov. IA. ten. ID. w.
Flagler, chief of the bureau of ord
nance, has made his annual report to
the secretary of war. 1t shows that
there was expended during the fiscal
year ended June 80, 1895, S7.34S, 795,
and that there still remains of the ap-
preparations made for the ordnance
bureau $40, 1903, $50 This large sum is
derived from the appropriations for
the fiscal year which were made for
war purposes, amounting to Ss1, 5O4, 592.
Regarding the equipment of volun.
teers the general thinks it would be
as we'll to have the government equip
them, instead OF their bringing their
state arms into service, saying that it
could be done as quickly, owing to the
condition OF the arms OF state troops.
As to the equipment Of an army, he
says:
So long as the principal dependence in this
country In u time Of war Is u large volunteer
force, newly levied 1t Is impracticable to keep
on hand large supplies Of cavalry. artillery and
horse equipments as these in the course OF 4
few years will not only deterlorate, but will
have to be materially modified to keep pace
with improvements
For equipping an ar ny with SUP
ply Of small arms he thinks there
should be supply Of lOO 900 on hand
of any new arm and the arsenals kept
in condition so as to produce $500
per day.
An interesting feature of the report
is that which treats of coast defense.
The general says:
Attention is especially invited to the expert
ence Of the last few months in attempting to
provide quickly coast defense 1t is believed
te be impracticable and we will always he
forced, in any emergency, to rely upon what
has been provided in time Of peace.
Gen. Flagler does not claim for the
45.caliber Springfield rifle an equality
with the new SO.caliber magazine rifle
of the army, but says that it is very
good arm and possesses many merits.
This feature has heretofore been COM
mented upon in discussion Of small
arms used during the war. The ma
chinery for the manufacture of small
arm ammunition was not the best, yet
the department turned out 10000, 900
rounds for the war
The following statement is made as
to powder:
For several years this department has been
experimenting on smokoless powders for sea
coast guns, and had completed the determina-
tlon Of the specifications and requirements for
the smokeless powders for nearly all the sea
coast guns and mortars Some Of the powder
manufacturers that had been engaged In the
production of these experimental powders had
small plants for their production 1t was i'm
possible, however, to produce the powders fast
enough to meet the emergency, and In some
cases experience In their use was necessary for
adapting them to oil the requirements Of the
service, 1t should be stated, however, that
smokeless powder only was manufactured
Tor field and siege artillery, The fact that the
Held and siege artillery were to be employed
was not determined until about the time that
war was declared, and there were no funds
available for procuring ammunition for these
guns before that time The preparation Of
smokeless powder ammunition for these guns
commenced ut once, but 1t was necessary 10
Issue Immediately the ammunition on hand for
the batteries that were sent to the front and as
this was all charcoal powder ammunition 1t ac-
counts for the fact that only this black or char
coal powder ammunition was generally used IN
actual service against the enemy,
Gen. Flagler also says:
The war has furnished no opportunity for de-
terminlng by experience the effect OF our
modern seacoast armament against modern
battleships. 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 but the ships could not with
stand the fire Of our modern batteries and
that therefore, the ships cannot attack the
batteries successfully. Whether the ships can
run by the batteries without too great risk has
not been shown This will depend on the skill
and rapidty with which the guns are served.
provided the ships are not stopped at the
mines