The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-26
Good Progress Made i'm the Construc-
ton OF seacoa-t Defenre. and In
stallation of NeedfuI Armament.
NEEDS OF ISLAND POSSESSIONS
COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME OF DE-
TENSE SHOULD BE FORMULATED.
Great Lakes Also should He Consfd.
ered-Estimates for Army and for
the River and Harbor Work.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 25.-The annual re-
port of Gen. George L. Gillespie, chief OF
engineers. L. S. A, for the year ended June
90. 1903. dealing with Notifications ane river
and harbor work. was made public to-day.
He alludes. first. TO the work of constructing
Notifications that has been going on under
the general scheme OF the Endicott board,
and adds:
1.-The degree of defense 10 be provided for
coaling and other naval stations scattered
all over the world, fer the larger naval
bases which must be promptly established
and for which appropriations are asked or
Congress by the Navy Department, for the
ports of Manila, Pearl Harbor and Homo
lulu and for the lake ports and the st. Law
renee river should preferably be determined
by tribunal similar TO the Endicott board,
as recommended in my last annual report.
In the absence OF legislation on the subject
OF insular defenses. a mixed board OF en-
gineer and artillery officers, organized by
authority OF the secretary of war. has al
ready practically considered and reported
Oh plans for the emergency defense OF sew
eral of the most important harbors In the
insular possessions. Before these prelimi-
nary plans are actually entered on it might
be well TO invite the cooperation OF the
navy by the assignment OF a certain number
of naval officers a new joint board OF
army and navy officers appointed to revise
or enlarge the preliminary plans of defense
heretofore prepared.
General Gillespie says that projects for
defense of thirty-one localities have been
approved, and, in addition, defenses of the
great lakes and St Lawrence river are
under consideration. He adds:
DEFENSE PLANS APPROVED.
Projects for the defense for San Juan.
Porto Rico. Pearl harbor and Honolulu har-
Dor, Hawaii; San Luis d Apra, Guam; Ma
Mia bay and Subig bay have been approved
by the secretary Of war and actual construc-
ton should begin thereon at an early day.
1t is believed that the time has come when
il will be no longer possible 10 ignore the
question OF insuar defenses. The navy de-
partment is properly insistent that all its
important coaling stations should receive
proper defensive protection to keep OF pre-
datory attacks from possible hostile fleets.
THE sea coast defenses OF the United
States are now somewhat more than 80 per
cent. completed. Twenty-Five Of the principal
harbors of the United States have suffic-
lent number of heavy guns and mortars
mounted TO permit an effective defense
against naval attack, and during the past
three years considerable progress has been
made in the installation of adequate rapid
fire armament. now the matter OF first i'm
portance."
AT present there are provided for the de-
lenses of the United States los twelve-inch
guns, 133 ten-inch guns, ninety-slx eight
inch guns. 567 rapid fire guns and ssS twelve
Regarding submarine mines the report
says: with few exceptions all harbors are
now equipped with torpedo storehouses. cable
tanks and serviceable mining classmates.
Me-, nf tHA 1oft fanf cf n
type. and complained of by the arrl-
| lery as insufficient i'm size. As funds be-
come available, they will be replaced by
more convenient and commodious case
ESTIMATES SUBMITTED.
| Gen. Gillespie submits a total estimate
of $40 1885, 100 for Notifications for the fiscal
year ending June 30. 1905. as follows:
| Construction of gun and mortar batter
| les and installation OF range and position
| and seacoast defenses, 100000: search
| lights for harbor cefenses, SO.0o0; protec-
ton. preservation and repair OF fortifcs-
| fortihcations. 5000; supplies for seacoast
defenses. $4,000; seawalls and embank-
ments. s2ooooo: torpedoes for harbor de-
| Tense, s2a5.VO0: defense or insular posses
,sions. s20sn.0Dl: procurement of land for
s526lOo.
| For the Improvement of rivers and har-
bors. General Gillespie submits the follow
ing general estimates for the next fiscal
| year:
| Under continuing contracts. 81. SAC, 75s:
| rivers and harbors tgeneraD $50. $50: ex-
| aminations. surveys and contingencies.
| 5000 under California debris commission.
| $4,000; prevention of deposits In New York
| harbor, $73,26O; enlargement of Governors
| Island. N Y. 100000; Mississippi river
| commission. s2.545o00.
| detailed list of the larger amounts
| asked for river Improvement follows.
Those recommendations and estimates OF
| interest i'm Indiana follow:
| Ohio river open channel improvement
| 100000; Big Sandy river and Lewis and
| Tugs fork. West Virginia and Kentucky.
| si6SOOO: falls OF the Ohio river at Louisville.
KY, $3.50 600; Calumet river. Illinois. $50. ZOO;
Il ~ ~ ~. L. - I..li