The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-13
GEN. j. r.. BROOKE's REPORT.
Several Important Recommendation
Regarding Coast Defense.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12.-Gen. John r.
Brooke. commanding the Department of the
East, in his annual report for the last fiscal
GEAR, records the fact that since his last
previous report he has visited and in
spected, with a few exceptions, all the posts
in that department. He was much gratifed
at the progress made at all the artillery
posts. where modern armament has been
installed.
The barracks at the infantry and cavalry
posts he found inadequate in size and he
recommends an enlargement. General
Brooke lays great stress upon the desir.
ability OF having the lonely and remote
Southern posts made as comfortable and
attractive as possible for their garrisons.
The present quarters at these posts, he
says. are cramped. stuffy and generally un-
inhabitable and few soldiers desire to re-
enlist at these points. once they have had
81 taste OF the nconventences He empha-
sizes and renews his former recommends
tion I'm regard to the possibility. in case Of
war, OF All attack OF seacoast defenses
from the land side or the rear, and urges
that the approaches from the directions
named receive the attention which their
Importance demands.
In an appended report of the acting signal
officer of the department. Capt. L. $. Lyon,
II Is recommended that experiments in
wireless biography be conducted with a
view to its use in such harbOrs as Boston
and New York.
The most important feature of the report
Is an appendix by Lieut.. Col. J.. u. story
artillery corps, dealing with ordnance and
artillery. he says the most important prob
lem now pressing upon the artillery is
how TO provide a sufficient number of off,
GERS and men qualified 10 operate the min
Ing defenses Of our harbOrs. II is admitted
that the present established strength of the
coast artillery Will not furnish one relief
Tor the modern armament already provided
and that in the event OF war the deficiency
must be supplied by raw recruits or by vol
Onteer artillery. III war were 10 occur with
q superior naval power an immediate dash
no doubt, would be made upon one or more
or our most important ports. To oppose
such an attack, we should have an in
structed force OF sufficient strength to exc
cute. in less than one week after the decia-
ration of war. the approved project for the
planting of mines in all our harbors.
To operate the mines i'm the harbors of
the United States and its distant posses
eiOns VIII require about seventy officers ana
100 soldiers. At the time OF the immediate
planting an addition OF five thousand as
iaoorers and boat crews will be temporarily
needed All officers employed in this work
ought 10 be experts In electricity.
In an appended report Lieut.. Col. lanes
y buchanan. commanding the district of
Porto Rico, says. as 10 the canteens. The
sale OF beer at the post exchanges. recently
prohibited by act OF Congress-. will not +
fear. result TO the best interests of good
discipline in Porto Rico: the low nri~e -
native drinks. their injurious effects and
tle degrading influences which surround
their sale. all tend to the undofnc. rather
thah the upittinS or the enlisted man, the
iuluueI OF places where these drinks arc
sold Is greater than in the Tinted STATE
thus anordinE more opportunity for drunk,
enneSs' again, the cost of beer and othor
beVefages. outside or tho post exchange. is
80 great as to compel the soldier TO pur-
chase the more injurious native drinks"