The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-11-29

the year have been satisfactory; that the
health of our troops has been good and
the death rate low.
Some interesting recommendations are
submitted regarding the army trans
ports:
Notwithstanding the faithful and zeal
Gus service of the officers of the quar-
termaster's department, in charge OF
government transportation, became sat
isfied that with the reduction of forces
and consequent reduction of business in
Cuba and Porto Rico the business could
be done more economically by CONNER,
cial lines, and the department was not
justified in longer maintaining separate
transport fleet on the Atlantic. 1t is not
practicable now to discontinue the trans
port service upon the Pacific. but do
not think it desirable that the United
States should own and operate a fleet of
passenger vessels in time of peace. Most
of our transports were bought from for
eign owners. and upon being sold would
necessarily come again under a foreign
flag. 1t will make a great difference in
the prices which can be obtained If an
American register can be granted these
ships I ask that this be authorized by
congress.
Seacoast Defense.
The detailed project for the defense of
the entrance to Chesapeake bay at Cape
Henry, Virginia, has been approved. A
detailed project for the defense OF San
Juan, Porto Rico. at total estimated
cost of $1S00,0C0, has been prepared, and
preliminary projects for the defense OF
Pearl harbor and Honolulu, in the Terri
tory of Hawaii, are also available. Sub
stantial progress has been made IN the
revision of earlier projects of forufica-
ton, made before the use of rapid-fire
guns played SO great a part in coast de-
Tense.
The ordnance department reports an
abundant supply of smokeleSs powder on
hand of the best quality now extant and
material Improvement in its manufacture.
The ordnance department has during
the year continued series OF eXperi-
ments upon high explosives and detonat-
ing fuses with satisfactory results.
Hazing at West Point comes in for a
brief consideration.
I beg to call especial attention to the
thorough and Well-considered report of
the board of visitors to the West Point
military academy for the current year.
Their statement of the conditions and
needs of the institution is accurate, and
their recommendations have my hearty
approval.
Militia and Volunteers.
The present provisions of law relating
to the militia, and to the raising Of vol
unteer forces; are quite imperfect and
unsatisfactory. The militia law stands
today practically as it was enacted in
1872, ard is practically obsolete. 1t is
very desirable that congress should now
exercise the power conferred upon it
by the constitution to provide for or
gs,niZation arming, and disciplining the
militia The reliance of the country for
the large forces necessary in modern
warfare must necessarily chiefly upon
volunteers. The method and procedure
of raising volunteer forces should be pre-
scribed in advance. so that instead of
waiting to devise plans for volunteer
army until the excitement and haste of
impending war makes perfection Of de-,
sigE difficult and satisfactory execution
impossible.
On the work of the signal corps and