New-York tribune., 1900-03-11
lCOAST DEFENCE URGENT.
IMPORTANCE OF INCREASING THE. AR
TILLERY APPARENTLY NOT REAL
lied BY CONGRESS-
fBy TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1suNE.I

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l
Washington March 1O.-Congress has not vet
made any move to remedy the dangerous de-
fciency in the seacoast artillery service pointed
out in the Presidents last Message, and the
proposition for the increase OF the artillery arm
OF the Army and Its reorganization corps
sent to Congress by Secretary Root part of
his Army reform plan has failed to impress the
Military Committees with its high National i'm
pcrtance. Many Of the features of the staff
reform measure are expected to give rise to ex-
tended debate, which might injuriously affect
the chances of legislation for the artillery unless
the two can be separated and considered On
their independent merits
The artillery organization plan has no opposi-
ton. so far as can be learned but at the same
time Its advocates have not been active enough
to insure its consideration, and in view of the
probab be early adjournment of Congress anxiety
Is beginning to be felt that the seacoast will not
only remain practically defenceless another year
but that irreparable injury will result from the
neglect of the batteries already erected at the
principal harbors.
DANGER POINTED OUT BY GEN. MILES.
The danger is set forth in the following letter
which the Major General Commanding sent to
the Secretary Of War on January o:
have the honor to invite your attention TO the
following facts concerning the armament of our
seacoast defences. the number of troops now avail
need Of a reorganization and increase in strength
OF the ,,tn artillery arm of the service
data an enlisted force of 1888 men is needed
armament now installed provided for Arranged
by States within which the different fortincations
ba l35d; @ @Hampshire mn 60; MassachHsetts Ils9;
NewJersey sso Maryland 1885, @ Vraina' Gra' SS 7
North No h. Carolina; S73 South Carolina ca; Georgia
ngon go s il 2S 30 Oregon GIL and Wash
1s2 eaeh ssSs men and 10 @ bands st making "a
ent artillery needs. exclusive of those required for
coast protection in recently acquired island pos
sumng the proportion Of ocen ns ns
battery to be the same now obtains in the in
and Gayay per unit Of organzation the
mels l6 lieutenant 4S majors captains
fota s r6 st m ncan and and 2o second
establshment consists of 7 colonies, I lieutenant
% second neqtenants 81 batteries Of foot artillery
mlS . men men EACH "A batteries Of field artillery G6a
geants and = Commissioned stan sergeants,
making hl ga total @ of OF SSz officers and 12045 men OF
sDg sng hfId m , With their officers are now
IN cS foot bae4es are aed at
ar ara and foot batteries are in Puerto Rico
ey nIeery f9rce Is on duty beyond the limits of the
MANY POSTS LEFT UNGARRIsONED
In this connection desire to call especial atten-
ton to the fact that Of the seventyfve different
stations along seaboard where modern fortfca-
tions have been being constructed but forty
three garrisoned by troops, and OF those
furnish relief for the guns already in position.
a considerable number of the stations being cared
for by small detachments sent from neighboring
posts
Such condition OF the National defences is one
TO merit the immediate and serious attention of
Congress- and I urgently recommend that the mat
sve er be eeg m hs en o @
armament. and propose TO eXpend as much more
within the next ten years. The lack Of a sufficient
force to for this armament Is a serious
TO artillery efficiency. The and service of mod
ordnance requires q high torder of intelligence
in the enlisted men. and technical ability with
viding for the large increase in the number of Of
ficers needed which the present situation demands,
especial care should be taken in formulating the
necessary legislation insure the selection OF those
only who we'll qualified by technical education
and natural aptitude to perform the duty. and in
every case the candidate for commission should be
required to pass rigid examination by board
of experienced artillery officers.
The question of organization is at the present
time subordinate TO the question of strength alb
soutely required. Many representative artillery Of
fcers favor corps of artillery. but whether COM
posed, as now, OF number of regiments or or
ganized a corps composed of battery units,
there should be chief of artillery, with the rank
of brigadier-general, duty the staff of the
General commanding the Army.
AS such q large proportionate increase as Is here
recommended for the artillery. II made at once.
cipline and instruction. and may tend for time to
lower the present high standard of efficiency In the
personnel would suggest that Congress be asked
to provide definite increase In strength each year
for a period Of five years, one-sixth Immediately
and one-sixth each succeeding year until COM
NELSON A. MILES.
Major-General Commanding
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