New-York tribune., 1901-10-13
GEN. BROOKE'S REPORT.
GREAT STRESS LAID on STRONG COAST
DEFENCES.
IMPORTANCE OF MINES IN HARBoRs-THE
CANTEEN FAVORED IN PORTO RICO.

CANTEEN FAVORED IN PORTO RICO
Washington. Oct. 12-General John r Brooke.
commanding the Department OF the East, in his
report for the last fiscal year records the fact
that since his last previous report he has visited
and inspected with few exceptions, all the posts
in that department He much gratihed at the
progress made at all the artillery posts where
modern armament has been installed The bar
racks at the infantry and cavalry posts he found
inadequate in size. and he recommends an enlarge
ment General Brooke lays great stress on the de-
sirabity of having the lonely and remote South
ern posts made as comfortable and attractive
possible for their garrisons. The present quarters
At these posts. he says, cramped stuffy and
generally uninha btable and few soldiers desire TO
re-eniist at these points when they have had
taste OF the inconveniences. He emphasizes and
renews his former recommendation in regard TO the
possibility, in case Of of attack on
coast defences from the land side the rear, and
urges that the approaches from the directions
named receive the attention which their impor-
tance demands.
The most important feature of the report is an
appendix by Lieutenant-Coonel J. p. Story, Of
the artillery corps dealing with ordnance and
artillery. He says that the most important prob
lem now pressing the artillery is how TO pro-
vide sufficient number of officers and men quail
fed to operate the mining defences of the harbors.
il is admitted that the present established strength
Of the artillery will furnish relief for
the modern armament already provided. and that
in the event of the deficiency must be sup
piled by recruits or by volunteer artillery. II
were 10 occur with superior naval power an
immediate dash no doubt would he made on one or
Of the most important posts. To oppose such
attack there should be an instructed force OF
sufficient strength 10 execute. in less than one
week after the declaration OF war the approved
project for the planting Of mines in all the har-
bors To operate these mines in the harbors of the
United States and its distant possessions Will re-
auire about seventy officers and 2,To0 men. At the
time of the immediate planting addition OF 5000
men as laborers and boat crews will be temporarily
needed All officers employed on this work ought
TO be experts IN electricity.
With respect TO the officers now being appointed
20 the artillery from the army their examination
for appointment does not include even an ele-
mentsry knowledge of electricity, and IT is prob
able that few if any, of them will be qualified
for this work. Again, the required number of Of
ncers IS SO large that they could not all be spared
for this duty without seriously crippng the artil
lery in the service Of the armament In the war
with Spain the deficiency in officers Of engineers for
mining work was supplied by civilian experts in
electricity Civilians cannot be held TO service or
TO punishment for malfeasance and some scheme
81 IS said should be devised by which all the min
ing defences may be efficiently operated in time OF
hostilities by military organization IL a suf-
ficient permanent establishment cannot be estab-
lished for this purpose, then volunteer reserve
must be organized and offieered by electrical en-
gineers, graduates OF technical schools. This ap-
pears TO be the only feasible plan OF securing
enough OffcerS Tor TINS Speclai service
qualified for the work. The advisabity of Great
ing volunteer organizations for mining service
should receive early consideration.
The first step that should be taken with the
least practicable delay is the establishment Of an
artillery school Of mines for theoretical and prac-
teal instruction. To this school. Colonel Story
says. the school for electrician sergeants. now at
Fort Monroe. ought TO be attached. Mining ma
terial is generally cared for by civilians paid
from the appropriations OF the Engineer Depart
ment. Il would be much economical, and
probably efficient. IL these civilians were re-
placed by electrician sergeants, and it is recon-
mended that one additional electrician sergeant be
authorized by law for each harbor OF the Unite
States equipped with mining material.
IT. an appended report Lieutenant-Colonel James
A Buchanan, commanding the District of Porto
Rico, says as to the canteen:
The sale Of beer at the post exchanges. recently
prohibited by of Congress. Will not. fear, re-
suit 10 the best interests of good discipline in
Porto Rico: the low price native drinks. their
Injurious effects and the degrading influences Whch
surround sale all tend TO the undolng
rather than the uplifting of the enlisted men. The
number of places where these drinks sold is
more opportunity for drunkenness Again, the cost
Of beer and other beverages outside of the post
exchange great 10 compel the soldier TO
purchase TIE cheaper and more injurious native
drinks.
in an appended report of the acting signal Of
ncer of the department Captain l. s. Lyon, It is
recommended that experiments In wireless teleg-
raphy be conducted. with view TO its use in such
harbors Boston. and New-Nork.