The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-27
OUR COAST DEFENCES.
Works the Two New Artillery Regr
ments VIII he Used To Man.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2i-The report
OF Senator Hawleyc chairman Of the
Committee on Military Affairs upon the
bill increasing theforce Of men in the
artillery branch by two regiments which
was passed by the Senate on Tuesday,
called attention TO the fact that this
government has entered upon the eNccu-
ton of a systematic and elaborate plan
of coast defence. The progress made
was set forth. Existing contracts call
for the emplacement and mounting, on or
before June Goth Of this year, of l39 mod
ern high-powor steel guns. ranging ii
calibre from 10 u inches; twelve OF
5-inch calibro. four G-pounders, and two
hundred and thirty-two Pinch mortars'
"a total OF ISL These are 10 be scatter
ed. according 10 the best judgment OF the
engineers. ana ordnance officers. from
Maine TO Puget Sound. with careful re-
gard 10 the relative Importance OF the
positions 10 be defended.
The great expenditure will be wasted
treasure unless sufficient number or
artilerymen, carefully selected and
thoroughly drilled, be assigned TO tho
care and use OF these costly instruments
of defence. As the works are from
week 10 week completed, the utmost the
general commanding can do is to detail
a few caretakcrs TO each station. with
the aid of the actlves Of the National
Guard and those who have been dis
charged therefrOm after years Of instric-
ton, effective cavalry and infantry
could be collected ia a comparatively
short time. but in case of war short no.
tie would be given TO the men in charge
OF great guns on the coast. whose costly
machinery requires much mechanical
skin and practice To handle. especially
10 aro with precision the new guns. re-
quires the highest class Of skilled labor.
Acting Secretary MeikeiOhn, I'm trans
hitting the recommendations OF General
Miles and of the chiefs of ordnance and
engineers favoring the proposed in
crease. said he cOncurred in the views
expressed bv those officers
"The need" he said els urgent for
sufficient force to caro- for the intricate,
massive ana expensive ornaments ia
place and being erected at our sea forth
ncations. Infantry and cavalry can
be recruited az any time. and while raw
recruits are not as proficient as troops
which have been drilled and have had
experience in the field I'm these two arms
Of the service they can soon become cap
able and efficient.
I'm the artillery service the conditions
are different and the elements cannot
vice. The operating Of the engines and
machinery necessary TO the handling OF
large guns requires mechanical and tech
nical knowledge that can be acquired
only By experience and daily practice Is
therefore as necessary for the artillery
man. i'm order that he may attain pro-
ficiency, as It is for the men who handle
the ponderous engines and machinery
used in great manufacturing establish
ments where skilful services are r.
CURED"
Under date Of Monday. General Miles
added the definite information that bat
teries have been placed in new fortlfca-
tions at Portland Head, Portland. Me;
Glover's Cliff. Boston harbor; Fort Ham
cock. New York harbor: Firms Point,
approach to Philadelphia; Sheridan's
Point and Fort Washington on the POto-
mac river: Fort Caswell near Whining
ton. Y. c.; Fort Moultrie. Charleston
harbor; Fort Morgan, Mobile harbor;
Fort Point. Galveston harbor, Fort Ba-
ker. San Francisco harbor. and Fort
Stevens. at the mouth Of the Columbia
river oregon.
Batteries, he says. will also be placed
within a few months on new fortihca-
tions at Great Diamond Island, Portland.
Me; Fort Constitution. Portsmouth, ".
H.: Long Island Head, Boston harbor;
Dutch Island Narragansett Bay, Rhode
Island; eastern entrance 20 Long ISL
and Sound. New York; Delaware City,
Del: approaches to Baltimore; approach
es 10 Washington; approaches to Savan-
nah; New Orleans La: San Diego, Cal;
entrance 10 Puget Sound. Wash. making
In all twerty-six new sadcoast fortiiica-
tons for the defences OF the great cities
Of the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts,
where fortinations have been and are
being erected and where artillery IS p
quired t. protect and man these bate
ries. --Nev York sun.