New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-20
WORK ON COAST DEFENCES
ACTIVITY HAS NO CONNECTION WITH
THE MAINE DISASTER
THE WAR DEPARTMENT MERELY cARhflN' W
rrs rsrABIrsHED PoILcY-MoRB ARTILLERY


ira rsrAB1rsfEp PoIICY-MoRB ARTILLERY
MEN IMPERAT1vELY NEEDED.
Washington Feb le-The officials OF the wal
Department are annoyed by the circulation Oh ru-
rnors seeming connect the activity now ooser'a-
hle NJ the seacoast defences with the Maine ulSao
tor tn. attention OF Acting Secretary Mekiejonn
,os called to-day to several such stories corhlis
from widely separated parts OF the country 10
nroun,Iv declared that this movement had no con-
nect,on with the Maine affair. There mao nee"
Increases OF the garrsons OF the seaooaru Po''
But this had been going on for SIX rnon'"', an
only marked step In the deVelopnenI Vi w
scheme Of coast defence planned by the r'',i'A'
ton Board some time ago Mr.. Melkle)ohn so'u'
eft "a following out the policy OF the Depart
rn.nt which has been pursued ever since the ora
nance Department turned over 70 the ensi"7
the modern guns which they had mahulao' u'o'
When these are placed in the coast fortihcauons
Il becomes necessary 70 have them carelui.' pr
,Ac,.d and this work has been going on TOT SIX
Month. Gums have been sent to the Delaware
tor,iAcation. Firms Point. Fort Mouitrle ana
other defences on the Atlantic coast NohbieSS
has been aware OF this. and the Department nus
called its attention TO the need OF al iea'' wv
additional regiments OF artillery 10 ma"
nos,s and take care Of these guns as fast as 'hey
ra ir.taIIed Meanwhile in the absence or spe-
,eo leg,s,ation the Department Is making the pest
POSSIBLE distribution OF It's small forces 10 carry
out It's policy. - -,
Tho suggested increase in tho artillery arm OF
the service IS simply in line with recommends
o, tho War Department. made in order that 'he
fort,ncat,ons and their armament now In process
OF construction may have adequate care Inc prs
~, .-tu.rx fore. Is not sufficient for the proper
manning Of the batteries which Congress mas nu
thor,zed and in order to provide for trained oVuy
ot art,erists to man the additional batteries o''
ar. now pending in both the Senate ana the rlou'e
Of Representatives to Increase the ar'iie'y io'ee
by two regiments. 49,. -.
N. uouse under date OF January 15 MI MelKIe-
,ohn wrote: Tn view Of the great deVelopnne"' "a
our seacoast-that IL 10 cay. OF the great hui"De'
~ points fortified and TO be fortined-ahu Vi .
great number Of volunteers that wouo DC neeueu
N IN. event Of foreign war II Is clear that inc
present force Of regular artillery ls' III po
rvr,h.-. ,nadeouate TO It's duties. The mere TASK
., La.,tng IN order the armament already instaeo
and 10 be installed will absorb great part oi ITO
enorstes The very important duty OF Ihs'luo''"e
volunteer forces will alone make ,ho most SCI 'N'
n,mand upon the regular units hence '"e III
perative necessity OF an Immediate increase ~ IL.
regular artillery force-a necessity fuiiy recognize
=, ~ Denartment and clearly stated py the
Mator-General commanding, who, whie Poi"ei"s
ont the inability Of tbs Department TO sheter INC
varr4sons on ground heretofore occupied OWING I"
the restrictions OF tho act OF March o. 1871. "
the hope THAI an edultloHA t|iNo " ~
roa,rnen.s OF artillery would be granted by Con
gress with the least possible delay as tha' Auul-
,,onal force Is imperatvely required TO keep u'e
vur. and mortars IN proper condition ana 10 use
them effectively when required
General Miles writing on tho same suo1eo' "
,hs secretary OF War. said: Tn my Juus"eN'
.ba,s can be no practicable or economical piah IL.
tho care and preservation OF fortihcauohe anu
.h.- armament except a suitable coninailu vi A
.na-v composed OF skilled officers ana soiulers
~ understand the manipulation OF the machinery
oc,,red 10 move and traverse and use these ois
higb-nower guns and mortars sklfuIV anu e.
.o.s,,,uv In my opinion It would be criminal iu'
~ Government to expend tens OF millions Oh uo'-
To On the placing OF for'ihcations ana athafnei'S
o. ,ba nrotection OF our coast. ana theh ao"iuoiI
,ho-, 70 the care OF a few men. simply eup'o'eu
80 u,a,chmen without any knowledge or power 10
-, ,bes. guns and mortars successfully against
hostile fleets. 49, -.
..,rhe only plan that. in my judgment can o
h,,tted 70 Congress is that as far as the preseh.
800 ~ artillery can be used II will be utiiHen
~ batteries and detachments 10 care lor ana man
tho hlsh-poyer guns and mortars AS th-' arc
r,ocod IN position Properly practcaoy' ecoAo"H-
iii, ~ do this the number OF guns ana mortar
ha,ter,es that will be in order by December mex
.,,,s reou,re n, least seven regiments, the mini
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