The true northerner., 1900-10-12
NEED TO
REORGANlZE
GEN. BROOKE SAYS THE ARMY
SHOULD DE INCREASED.
DEFENCEs OF OUR COASTS RE-
QUIRE ATTENTION.
COMMENDs THE WIRELESS TELE-
GRAPuY OF SIGNAL SERVICE.

NaSnlngtOu. Ocl. lo.-il 10 uiStu III
the annual report of Maj j.-Gen. John II.
Brooke. commanding the department
of the east at New York, which was
made public ut the war department
yesterday, that pressing necessity ex
lists for the reorganization Of the army
on modern lines. For many years
past" says he, "the general officers oil
the army have shown the necessity fol
an increase which will place the army
on an efficient basis and enable II to
perform its duties with credit to Itself
and TO the satisfaction of the nation.
The events since the commencement oil
the Spanish war have demonstrated be
yond doubt the necessity for a reor.
ganiZation which will enable this ma
ton to maintain the position In which
ii now finds itself placed, SO that, In
case Of war, the army may form the
bulwark behind which the volunteer
army may be created. as has always
been done in our country, by organic
ing the people"
Coast Defenses.
Referring to the rehabilitation and
progress of our coast defenses, he says
time to make recommendations regard
ing the artillery posts where the num-
Der of men enters as factor. on ac.
count of the large foreign drafts. 1t Is
not too early now to draw up plans for
supporting the coast artillery. 1t Is
not the province OF coast artillery, he
says, to act out OF fertilization. their
sphere OF operations being limited. and
1Nf1 IN
attacks from the rear and to prevent
landing parties from gaining foothoid
Is imperative. On that account the vi.
cinity of each post for miles around
should be mapped with view TO de-
termining the lines of defense before
the necessity for their use arises.
Gen Brooke says he Is impressed
with the Importance of having all ar
tillery in charge Of coast fortiiications,
stationed in the immediate vicinity of
the guns. He thinks it is imperative
i'm many cases that more land should
be acquired than hitherto has been
bought for the erection of fortiiica-
tions.
Danger From the Sea.
There are places along the Atlantic
coast where the defenses are exposed
to danger from the inroads OF the sea
This matter. Gen. Brooke says, should
receive prompt attention. Gen. Brooke
saws he found that while the officers
and enlisted men were enthusiastic IN
matters relating TO their profession
military duties are imperfecty per-
formed. and the instruction of the men
handicapped by the lack Of officers
Mcnv batteries and companies have
ONLY one present for duty. and at sew
eral poStS where detaChments are sta
toned there is no officer I'm command
Gen. Brooke commendS the system
Of wireless telecraphy established by
the signal service. and says that plans
should he perfected Immediately for
complete and perfect communication
between the units composing each fort
ress and the fortress commander.
disappearing Gun Carriages.
The board of ordnance and fortifica-
tions has been holding a protracted
session in Washington and adjourned
Yesterday after taking important ac-
tion regarding disappearing gun car
riages. The board has recommended
70 the secretary Of war that no more
disappearing gun carriages he made
There has been much contention among
army officers for some time. especially
among artillery officers. as to the value
of disappearing gun carriages upon for
tifcations for coast defense. The con
sensus Of opinion has been that the
disappearing carriage was good for low
sites. but the majority seemed to think
that II was not best for high sites The
action OF the board. If sustained by the
secretary Of war, will be Of far-reach.
ing Importance in the future of coast
defenseS.