Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-01
COAST DEFENSE PROGRESSES
Official Report Shows Coasts Gradually
Approaching Invulnerable State.
STILL MUCH YET REMAINS TO Be DONE
More Guns and Mortars and Further
sites Are Required 90 RemOve
All Danger Of Attacks
By Sea,

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31.-The annual re-
port Of General @. L. Gillespie, chief OF
engineers OF the United States army, pre-
sents a comprehensive view OF the eondi-
tion OF fortihcations throughout the coun-
try. After giving a list Of thirty-one points
at which projects for permanent seacoast
defenses have been adopted, the report says
the defense Of the great lakes and the st.
Lawrence is under consideration, and also
that projects for defense at Porto Rico.
Hawaii, Guam, Manila and subig bay have
been approved by the secretary OF war.
With reference to the last mentioned
plans the opinion is given that construc-
tion should begin at an early day.
"It is believed" the report continues,
that the time has come when II will be
no longer possible to ignore the question
of insular defenses. The Navy department
IS properly insistent that all the impor-
tant coallng stations should receive proper
protection"
Wants Board Appointed.
with regard to defenses for coaling sta
lions the suggestion Is made that in view
Of changes In the construction of ordnance
and ships congress should make provision
for the appointment OF a tribunal similar
: " Nht HhhANOAA bOaAh VI Aooo ~ hHe ~
termination Of details. This board should
have Jurisdiction over the naval bases at
Manila, Pearl Harbor and Honolulu, as we'll
as the proposed defenses for the st. Law
renee and the great lakes.
: Somewhat more than so per cent of the
seacoast defenses are now completed,
twenty-five Of the principal harbors have
a SUFFICIENT number Of heavy gum and NOR
tars 10 permit an effective defense against
naval attack and during the past two years
considerable progress has been made in the
installation OF rapid-hre armament, now
the matter of first choice.
The existing projects comprise 356 heavy
guns OF 8-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch cali
bers, 1924 rapid-hr guns from 2.24 inch
to e-inch caliber and 544 mortars.
The total cost for the engineering work
is estimated at $50, 900, 900, including what
has been completed, as well as what re-
mains to be done. Recommendation is made
that authority be given for the resumption
of the manufacture of mortars which, ii is
claimed are an effective defense within
their range.
Many Guns Placed I'm Position.
Provision has been made for placing S31
heavy guns, 4S3 rapid-hre guns and $40
12-inch mortars. During the year the ad-
dition to the completed armament Of the
coast amounted to eight 12-inch guns, three
S-lnch guns 20 rapid-hre guns and 81 NOR
tars. 1t is intended to devote the appro-
priation of last June to the construction of
emplacements for two 12-inch guns, four
10-inch guns, forty-four 6-inch guns and
nfty-two 15-pounders.
Report is made of sites purchased dur
ling the year and an appropriation of
81, 900. 900 for the purpose Of securing still
other sites IL suggested. The most i'm
portant site yet to be acquired is one at
the southern entrance to New York har-
Dor, made necessary by the deep water
improvements now in progress.
With few exceptions all harbors are now
equipped with torpedo storehouses, cable
tanks and mining classmates. AS mining
! classmates and additional storage facili-
sties are still required in several localities,
an estimate Of $780, 900. to be expended
under the engineer department, IL sub
mitted for their construction.