Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-02-20
NOT SIGNIFICANT.
Movements at Sea Coast Defenses
Planned Long Ago.

Planned Long Ago.
Washington, Feb 19.-The officials of
The war department are annoyed at the
circulation of rumors that seem to con-
meet an activity now observable at the
sea coast defenses with the Maine Incl
lent. The attention of Acting Secretary
MeikleiOhn was this morning called to
several such stories, coming from widely
separated parts of the country. He
promptly declared that this movement
had no connection with the Maine af-
fair There had been increase of the
garrisons of the seaboard posts. But
his had been going on for six months
and only marked a step in the develop
ment of the scheme of coast defense
planned by the fertilization board some
time ago
The suggested increase in the artillery
arm of the service is simply in line with
recommendations of the war department
made in order that Notifications and
their armament now in process of con-
struction, may have adequate care. The
present artillery force is not sufficient
for the proper manning of the batteries
which congress has authorized.
Bills are pending now in the senate
and house, providing for an additional
body of artillery.
In a communication to the military
affairs committee of the house from
Assistant Secretary of War Meiklejohn,
under date of Jan. 10, Mr.. Meiklejonn
wrote
In view of the great development of
our seacoast-that is to say, of the great
number of points fortified and to be for
tified-and Of the great number of vol
unteerS that would be needed in the
event of foreign war, it is clear that
the present force of regular artillery is,
in point of numbers, inadequate to its
duties. The mere task of keeping in or
der the armament already installed and
t. be installed, Will absorb great part
of its energies. The very important
duty of instrueting volunteer forces will
alone make the most serious demand
upon the regulars. Hence the impera-
tive necessity of an immediate increase
OF the regular artillery force"
Gen. Miles wrote to the secretary of
war much to the same effect. He said,
among other things
The only plan that, in my judgment,
can be submitted to congress, is that as
far as the present force of. artillery can
be used, it will be utilized by batteries
and detachnents to care for and man
the nigh power guns and motors as they
are placed in position. To properly
practically, economically do this, the
number of guns and mortar batteries
that will be III order by December next
would require at least seven regiments,
the minimum number of artillery"
STRENGTHENING FORT WARREN.
Boston, Feb BORDERS have been is
sued at tile war department, directing
Col. Carl A Woodruff, commanding
Fort Warren, in Boston harbor to in
crease his force to its full limit. He is
also ordered to equip squads with arms
and ammunition and station them at all
forts armed with modern guns along the
coast
In compliance with these orders, de-
tan OF one corporal and IS men has been
sent to reinforce Lieut. Ketchum, in
command Of the mortar battery at
irover's cliff Winthrop. The detach-
ment left the fort this morning The
men were fully equipped and carried 100
HoundS of ammunition each. Hospital
equipment also was taken along AS
here are insufficient quarters at the
battery to accommodate this squad it
VIII be obliged TO camp in tents. 1t is
explained that this movement has no
particular significance in view of the
tiSaster to the battleship Maine but it
IS part of the routine of the war de-
partment determined upon long before
this incident occurred.
It was reported at the fort this morn
ing that 1900 rounds of ammunition or
dered for the battery at Winthrop were
expected to arrive at any time, and this
is presumed to be the reason the little
garrison already stationed there has
been augmented.
In addition to that, the mortars of the
battery are TO De put in condition for
use. The breech blocks for the mortars
which have been lying in the quarter
masters store house since the battery
was located, now are to be attached
Rush fa1
fort directing the commander Col.
Woodruff, 10 send detachment of one
corporal and eight men to Fort Win
throp where they are to get eight-inch
converted rifle guns to the dock in
readiness for shipment The guns are
to go TO Mobile, Ala, where carriages
from New York have been sent to
mount the rifles on The big guns will
90 all the way by rail.
ACTIVITY AT SAN FRANCISCO.
san Francisco, Cal, Feb. 19.-It. is
definitely known that the department
at Washington has wired Gen. shafier
o use the utmost vigilance in guarding
he guns of this harbor. The telegram
rom Washington to Gen Shafier is
elaborate, and gives instructions In de-
tail regarding the desired preparations.
N obedience to orders, guards at Fort
Point, Lime Point, and at tine mortar
and dynamite batteries. have been
doubled. The regular force Of patrol
guards has been largely increased.
SCARE NOT JUSTIFIED.
New York, Feb. 1s.-The sending Of
$50 men from the regular forces sta
toned at Fort wadsworth and Fort
Hamilton, yesterday. to Sandy Hook,
today, gave rise to runDors 1t was ascer-
tanned that the detail was sent to Sandy
Hook for gun practice, in the routine
" military arrangements, and that