The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-14
DEFICIENT IN ARTILLERY
Army in Need of Guns Of Modern
Type and Ordnance Supplies.
Only Twenty-Five New pnpid-hrcrs
in Tse-CoIoncl Siscum's Opinion
as to the Requirements of the SIT
nation In Chinn - .Insims May
BE Sent From .hc philippines.

Not hearing from Colonel Liscum, COM
manding the Ninth Infantry. which went
from Manila to China and is now supposed
to be at Taku. the Secretary of War has
called to him asking that he report rs
soon as possible whatever information he
may have secured as TO the situation in
China.
The officials are very anxious TO know
what Colonel Liscum thinks of the condi-
tions around Tientsin and the necessity
for re-erforcements to hold that place.
1t Is the opinion Of the Secretary of War
that Colonel Liscum, on landing at Tahu.
did not wait to file any report OF his ar
rival, but pushed Immediately on to Tien-
tsin, and Is in a position to inform his
Government as to the requirements OF
the situation. He has been asked par
ticulariy to give his opinion as 10 the use
fulness OF artillery, what kind is needed.
and how much. This information is needed
at once to enable the War Department TO
make arrangements for sending additional
artillery from the Philippines II needed IN
China.
The officials also want to know what
Colonel Liscum thinks of the adapt2bi.ity
of the 3.2-inch field guns of the American
artillery. and whether they can he USED
to an advantage. There are twenty-four
of these guns in Manila. and number
can be spared for service in China II is
with this type OF gun that Captain Refill;
battery OF the Fifth Artillery is equippea-
They are very heavy. however, and 1t re-
CURES six horses to draw them. The de-
ficiency of the artillery OF the Chiteu
States has now become matter OF nuch
comment The '-ilure OF Congress 10
make adequate provision for the aftiiier!
Is being severely criticised by army oin-
GERS. Secretary Rcot and Lieutenant Gen.
eral Miles have had several conferences
recently en- this subject, and statement
has been prepared showing exactly the
condition of the equipment OF the ar
tiliery.
This statement shows that the United
States Army has in all only twenty-five
guns of the new rapid-fire t:ps. They are
all in the Philippines, and consist Oh TN
3-inch Hotchkiss guns, six OF wh'ch were
presented to the Government by Colonel
Astor: and twelve S-inch Maxim mountain
guns, purchased by Secretary Root soon
after his appointment SIS Secretary CT " ar.
THESE Maxim guns are OF the latest pat
tern. and have done remarkable service IN
the Philippines, and several batteries Will
probatly be sent TO China for serTice tee.
II was only recently that Russia ordered
several thousand guns of similar type Tor
tie re-eQuipn.ent of its field artillery.
II is recognized by the officials Of the
War Department that guns OF this type
would be exceedingly valuable IN the op-
erations In China. but whether they can lie
spared from the Philippines is to be deer
mined. The last report from Genera! Mac
Arthur showed that but one OF these bat-
tcries was in Manila the rest being sea-
tered about the different islands.
The Ordnance Bureau is receiving much
attention also because OF its appai ent
apathy on the general subject Of securing
large supply of ammunition for the neld
guns. The last reports from Manila
showed that but 5000 rounds Of aTnmuni-
tion for the Maxim guns had beer supplied
and that much of this has sircady beer
used. Army experts say that the question
of securing powder at this time is seiiou!
one. 1t is known that the Navy Depart
nen. has for several weeks been purchas-
ing large quantities of ammunition and Sc
curing options or other ordnance supplies
in the possession of ordnance firms.
Meanwhile the Ordnance Bureau of the
army has been for several weeks parley'
ing with ordnance fir.ns oTer the price o.
powder and shell, without placing any or.
ders Tie records show a plentiful supply
OF small arm ammunition. but no special
provision has been made for the purchase
OF large quantities of field gun arl;nuDi'
.ion. The arsenal at Manila has supply
on hand. and sufficient for immediate use
has been ordered 10 China with the artil-
lery under Captain Reilly. 1t Is pointed
out though, that the withdrawal of this
ammunition from the Manila arsenal does
not leave 1t as fully supplied as it should
be should there be prolonged struggle in
China that would necessitate further ship
ments.
Secretary Root said yesterday afternoon
that the Ordnance Department had not
called his attention to such a condition OF
affairs. It is probable. however. that in
view of representations made by army o.
fcers an enquiry will be made TO es-
certain the quantities of artillery ammuni-
tion now on hand, with a view 10 providing
for the future. The War Department ad-
mits that the artillery Is in bad shape.
but plans for improving II are now beins
considered. An order has just been issued
calling attention to the need OF suitable
men fer the artillery. The order says:
Recruits are required in large numbers for the
ARTILLERY, and recruiting officers Vail be constant
In thsir Efforts to obtain suitable men Tor that
ann. Great must be taken, however, to see
that the Army Regulations and the published in
structions Of applicants for enlistment are strlct-
ly observed, and that no recruit be accepted who
Il not qualified in sl respects TO perform the
duties Of soldier
To meet the special requirements Of the artit
lery recruits for that should be young ac-
tive men, Of q good degree of intelligence, and q
large proportion of those enlisted for the heavy
artillery should In addition possess fair knowl-
edge Of mathematics
Post recruiting officers will endeayor to fill va
csrsces in batteries serving at their respective
posts and when authorized by their department
commander In batteries serving at other posts in
the same territorial department
Recruiting officers at city stations will receive
Instructions from time TO time from the Adjutant
Generals Office regarding enlistments for partic-
ular artillery regiments or batteries. Desirable
applicants for the artillery not covered by such
instructions will be reported by them, after due
examination, 10 the Adju;snt General Of the
for their enlistment.