The times., 1899-05-04


structures in their immediate vicinity.
Practice with certain guns has been pre-
vented for this reason. Steps should be
taken to remove such lighthouses from the
dangerous positions which many OF them
occupy.
las a general conclusion from observa-
ton extending over several months spent
among the sea coast Notifications, it ;an-
not be said that the artillery defences are
or have been recently, in any but an in
efficient state. A comprehensive reason
for this is somewhat difficult to assign.
there being plenty of first class material
in the hands of good organizations. Per-
haps the best single reason which can be
given is the long neglect OF the subject,
during which the artillery service has
more or less gone TO pieces in all its
branches. AS one result, there have
been no inspectors and no instructors
capable of infusing the proper spirit
and disseminating necessary information
in regard to the new material which has
recently been put into its hands. The
exclusive presence OF old and inefhcicnt
armament has caused the purely combat
ant features TO take the last place in The
administration OF posts for so long q time
that ii is difficult now. upon necessity, 10
suddenly transfer it to the first place
which it should occupy. AS an indication
of the lack OF appreciation OF the impor-
tance of all features connected with the
efficient service of the armament, l may
state that in several instances there were
turned out for my drill inspection ahd
practice firing only a small proportion of
the men present for duty with batteries,
in an extreme case only seven out of fifty
eight.
Owing to faulty organization OF the ar
tillery arm, existing over a long period
concurrently with the absolute cessation
of the supply OF modern material, officers
have been kept in subordinate positions
and positions of direct and intimate contact
with the details of the service until long
after the age at which such de-
tails cease to arouse and main
tain interest. consequently there mas
grown up what may be called an undeyel-
oped generation, and it has been impossi-
BILE after its character has been SO thor
oughly and for so many years impressed
upon this generation to suddenly correct
the evils which have produced il, and TO
successfully call upon the members to COM
pletely change their character overnight
ard become thoroughly efficient at the
work of command
Defects and the Remedy.
"The principal defect of the organization
has been corrected, but misfortune has
CO ntinued 10 pursue the service in that i'm
mediately after this desirable change has
been effected, and as the younger element
was getting into positions Of responsibility
and as the new material was being put into
the hands of the troops there should have
arisen a pressing necessity for taking both
officers and men away from this service
for duty elsewhere before any progress
had been made in establishing its eff
cheney.
II would recommend very much greater
liberaity in the general management CT
the artillery matters. and particularly in
the opportunities for actual practice in
loading and firing guns, than has prevailed
at any time in the last twenty-five or thir-
ty years. The starving system can never
produce any other class of results than
that which is now SO apparent throughout
cur coast defence service. Inspectors
should be present always at the target
practice exercises, and there should be fir
ing at the visits of inspection of the de-
paTtment commanders. Nothing can take
the place of actual firing in thoroughly
familiariZing the commands with the man
agement CT their weapons. Some of the
military departments as now constituted
are too large for proper supervision by
single inspecting officer.
las a recommendation Of an important
measure. looking to the infusion from
/ headquarters OF proper spirit of action in
| the performance OF the duty OF the artil-
lery arm of the service would suggest
that there should be on the staff of the
Commander of the Army chief inspector
of artillery, who. while occupying the Of
/ fee, would have the rank of colonel, the
| principal duties of such officer being TO
make constant inspections of the fortifica-
tions of the seacoast defence for the pur-
pose Of insuTing that the numerous orders
| and instructions. embracing almost every
detail of the artillery service. which have
been so abundantly issued, should be thor
oughly and systematically carried out by
the persons 10 whom they are addressed.
| The bestowal OF the rank of colonel on
such an officer would require legislation.
| but the Office could be established and the
| duties commenced under the laws as they
exist.
As concise statement OF what is in
| my opinion necessary to rehablitate the
| artillery service will say that their great
| needs are abundant opportunity for prac-
tice with their weapons. good instructions
in the beginning by competent officers, and
frequent. vigorous. and skillful inspec-
| tion."
Pleasant are the expressions after glass Of