The evening times., 1899-10-09

Col Royal T. Frank has filed at the
War Department his annual report as COM
mander of the Department OF the Gulf,
which by recent orders of the Secretary Of
War has been consolidated with the De-
partment of the East, under General Mer-
ritt Colonel Frank calls particular at
tention TO the coast defences and the alb
sence of satisfactory drills. He says:
There are at this date sixteen fortified
places along the coast line Of this depart
ment with modern works and armament
completed approaching completion. AT
some Of these works drifting sand has been
found SO serious an obstruction as TO great
ly interfere with the operation of guns
and carriages, and render their proper care
and preservation impossible. This can only
be remedied by cultivating a growth of
grass suited TO such localities, or of bushes
and small trees. II is in my opinion a
matter of such Importance as TO require
the Immediate attention of the proper de-
partment. Magazines are generally report
ed in condition and dry, especially those of
recent construction, with double wall. 9th
ers vary from good to unserviceable.
Range and Position Finding.
has any system Of range and position find
ing or of communication been installed
Until this is done no satisfactory drills o.
instruction can be had at any OF them
The only range and position finders thus
far adopted for service are OF the de9res-
sion type. These are well adopted TO high
sites wnere ample protection can be given
them, but for low sites, which character
ize all fortifications on the Atlantic and
Gulf coasts south OF the Delaware, they
must, if used, be mounted in towers 10
give them the necessary heiglt They
thus become not only the most conspicu-
Gus objects in the surrounding landscape,
but it lis impossible to give them proper
protection. To enable these indIspen- able
auXiIiaries to Withstand the oIdea4 o. bat
tie, they should, if possible, be given as
much protection as is given to the batter
les. This is especially SO in the case Of
Mortars, which form so large part o the
new armament and the use of wn-ch is en-
tirely dependent upon position finding.
The board on the regulation of coast ar
tillery fire has prepared drill regulations
for coast artillery, which have been pub
lished, but so far as is known, no test or
trial of the systems AMI methods therein
prescribed have been made 10 determine
their practicability under the conditions OF
actual service. IL seems inadvisable TO in
stall untried methods OF fire control at new
posts yet, and until an approved system is
installed, instruction at such posts must
be tentative and incomplete.
1t is understood that alotments have
been made tO.equip the post Of Fort Wads-
worth, n Y, as typical artillery fire COM
mand for the purpose OF making such tests.
In my opinion il is very important that
the board which prepared the drill reguia-
H. Ill ,s-s, r..
methods prescribed in them before they
are adopted for general use. Attention is
invited TO the report OF the inspector of ar
tillery, Major Calef. His remarks as TO the
importance of sub-calibre practice, in view
OF necessarily limited allowance of service
ammunition for the target practice is earn
esuy commended.
Small Force of Artillery.
THE present small force of artillery
troops in this department, eleven batter
les, is only sufficient to provide about one
half of the number of men required TO
form one relief for the service guns now
mentioned. So small a force not only
makes the labor of caring for the new
works and their armaments exceedingly
arduous but greatly enbarrassls s the ad-
ministration OF artillery affairs at posts. Ii
is hoped that another regiment may be as
signed TO the department as soon as the
eXigencies OF the service permits. Atten-
ton is invited TO the varied duties OF ar
tillery troops Beside the paramount duty
Of bestowing unremitting care upon or
seacoast guns and their complicated
mounts, they have to learn all the duties
OF an infantry soldier and have the care
OF their infantry equipments. In addition
TO this they are required to lea n the du-
ties OF the hospital corps and OF the sig
nal corps 1t is impossible for any soldier
TO perfect himself in all these duties L
earnestly recommend that the artillery be
excused from the duties of the hospital
corps.
Many of the new posts are located on
small islands, sand pits. and other isolated
and often unhealthy positions, with unat-
uactlve surroundings Ii will be real
economy as well as an imperative duty 10
the troops stationed there TO make these
posts as attractive and healthful as posi-
bic. Ample quarters and barracks suited
to the climate should be provided, with
reading, instruction, and recreation rooms
Good roads and walks should be built. and
the grounds beautifed by shade and orna-
mental trees.
improvements i'm Posts.
The work of policing should be reduced
10 a minimum by an abundant water sup
ply and good sewage system; ample water
transportation facilities are needed to in
sure the receipt of regular supplies. as well
as to enable garrisons TO familiarize them
selves with the surrounding waters and ad-
3acent country. Unless these posts are
made healthful and attractive, and are pro-
vided with means Of recreation and i'm
proyement, it would be difficult to enlist
good men willing to serve there.
At some posts no range for small arms
practice exists and at others, due TO I'M
avodable circumstances, the range is un-
satisfactory. For these reasons and more
especially on account of the large number
VI recruits now in the ranks, the percent
ages attained are very low
The supply in the departments has been
efficiently administered and has success
fully met all wants of the service. Atten-
tion is invited 10 the reports of the heads
OF these departments and to the reports
and recommendations OF the heads OF other
departments which accompany this report. /"