The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-15
More Artillery Needed.

Whatever may be done with the other
measures now under consideration for
a reorganization of the army, immediate
steps should be taken TO increase the ar
tillery arm of the service. The harbor
defenses of the country have been very
largely increased. as consequence OF
the war with Spain, and in continuation
of policy which went into effect before
the commencement of the war, but
while, in accordance with demand
which went up from all over the coun-
try. and without opposition from any
source, the seacoast defenses have
been heavily increased, no provision
whatever has been made for men to man
the guns already placed in position. It
is estimated by the war department
that at least ls,402 artillery soldiers are
required to furnish one detachment for
each gun and mortar now in place.
range-finding men. electricians and nom
commissioned staff for the coast artil-
lery alone and this estimate makes no
provision for the guard, or for those on
the sick list. This estimate includes
/ ,4i4 men for use In the defensive works
of Puget Sound. The present enlisted
strength of the artillery is but little
overshalf that amount.
A bill is now before congress to in
crease the artillery strength by seven
regiments. which will provide force OF
1s,404 enlisted men, and every seacoast
state should urge upon its delegation In
congress the support Of this measure.
following the lead OF the New York
chamber OF commerce in the matter.
Its consideration and passage as a sep
arate measure would not interfere with
the subsequent passage of the army re-
organization measures which are re-
quired, neither will the separate bill 10
increase simply the coast artillery have
10 encounter the bitter opposition
which is certain to meet every other bill
strength OF the army. An artillery
force cannot be improvised in war times
The handling of heavy artillery. with
its complicated mechanism, cannot be
picked up in the brief time required for
the manual of arms and the marching
eyolutions. which are all that is neces-
sary for the raw infantry recruit to
learn before he can take his place In
the ranks and make fairly good SOL
der An artilleryman cannot be i'm
provised any more readily than can
competent mechanic or engineer. Time.
study and long continued drill Is essen
tial Every part OF the work OF the
modern artillerist handling the heavy
guns of the seacoast defenses requires
intimate acquaintance with the work
ings Of complicated machinery. in addi-
ton to the purely professional and SOL
derry requirements.
The policy OF building up a system OF
seacoast defenses without any provis-
ion for men 20 handle them is an absurd
one. The present artillery force avail
able for seacoast defenses is hardly
adequate to keep the present mounted
guns IA condition--to preserve the mil
lions % dollars invested In modern ar
tillery from destruction by the elements
With the shortest crews. there are not
men enough 10 handle and FIRE one-half
tho guns already mounted. nor is Il Sc.
rtpVsly contemplated that our seacoast
defenses are 20 stop where they are
now: bat rather that they shall be ex-
tended and perfected yearly. until the
country Is IN adequate condition Of de-
Tense against ans possible attack from
sny source.
There IS not All argument Of a hairs
weight against the proposition to tn
crease the heavy artillery 70 the
strength proposed by the pending bill
whatever can be urged against the gen
eral proposition to increase the strength
OF the army as a whole up to a stan
dard more nearly approaching the re-
euirements % the country
This is a matter in which the state Of
Washington has an immediate interest