The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-24
PLAN OF SEACOAST DEFENCE.
PROPOSED UTILIZATION OF THE
STATES HEAVY ARTILLERY.
The General Stairs Plan for Preparing
the Militia for the Duties Of the Coast
Artillery I'm Time OF War-The 18th
Regiment May lie Assigned to Forts.

the Militia for the Duties OF the Coast
Artillery I'm Time OF War-The 18th
Regiment May lie Assigned to Forts.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23.-Assistant Secre-
tary Of War Oliver to-day sent to Gov.
Odell of New York and to the Governors
of humber Of other States an extract
from the report OF the General STAFF of the
Army recommending tho adoption Of GER
tain measures which will give the United
States second line of defence Of its
seaboard cities and its coast by prepar-
ing the heavy artillery OF the organized
militia in time of peace for the duties of
coast artillery in time of war. The initia-
tive, as Gen. Oliver points out in his letter
to Gov. Odell, rests with the State au-
thorities alone, and request for co opera-
ton on the part Of the War Department
to put the plan into practical operation
will he says, receive avorable considera-
ton.
The latter quotes the recommendations
Of the Artillery Board that -heavy artillery
in the organized militia be confined to
cities in the near vicinity OF coast fortitica-
tons that it be organized as q corps similar
to that of the Artillery Corps Of the United
States Army; that it be instructed in the
use and drill of the smaller calibres of the
rapid fire armament; that the officers be in
structed in the use of sights, the system Of
fire direction, communications, use of tele-
phones, signalling and telegraphy; that in
addition to theoretical study on the part
OF the companies, a course of lectures by
officers of the Artillery Corps of the Regular
establishment be delivered at the armory,
at times most convenient for the assem-
bling Of officers Of the militia artillery regi-
ment'
All the recommendations are approved,
with the exception Of the one providing that
the militia artillery be organized similarly
to that Of the Regular army. This is held
to be impracticable Gen. Oliver quoting
the chief OF artillery as saying that:
"Regimental and battalion organization
must be preserved in order that the State
may have an organized force available for
general police purposes Individual COM
panies can be designated as reserve for
certain batteries at named posts.
Gen. Oliver says in his letter that the
other recommendations Of the artillery
board are considered practicable and can
be carried out to an extent limited only by
the time the militia organizations can give
to heavy artillery instruction and the inter-
ests developed in mastering the details.
The necessity for heavy artillery regi-
ment being drilled and instructed in the
duties Of infantry and heavy artillery, ne
says more than doubles the work required
OF an infantry organization. 1t requires
of the artilleryman much personal sacrifice
Of time and great deal Of work to tit him
self for both duties
Gen. Oliver says that the recommendation
of the chief of artillery that the artillery
niyat ha a.
serve force at named posts is excellent,
provided this assignment be made now,
during time Of peace. for instruction, it
being understood that the same assign
ment will obtain in time of war as far az
practicable. The militia will certainly be
of more service at posts where they are
familiar with the guns and the various
zones of fire and know the officers and men
composing the garrison than they Will be
if assigned to posts at which they have never
served. For efficient service, however, II
will be necessary that the artillery pos
commanders have command OF the post
and all OF the men, both regular and militia.
This will prevent the assignment to any
post in time Of war Of any militia officer
that ranks the post commander In time
Of peace the Dick bill provides for the post
commander retaining his command, no
matter what the rank of the militia officer
assigned for his instruction.
Gen Oliver points out that the artillery
posts for seacoast defence in New YORK
harbor are Forts Hamilton. Wadsworth
Hancock. Schuyler Totten and Slocum:
and SAYS that the first relief, consisting of
Regular troops. is composed Of LIST men
at Fort Hamilton, LBS at Fort Wadsworth,
1873 at Fort Hancock, POS at Fort Schuyler,
675 at Fort Totten and All at Fort Slocum;
According to the present plans, the second
relief, composed OF organized militia,
would consist of 772 men at Fort Hamilton.
$50 at Fort Wadsworth, 0o4 at Fort Han
cock 442 at Fort Totten, 1872 at Fort Schuyler
and 325 at Fort Slocum.
reports at the War Depar TRENT show
that when last Inspected the Thirteenth
Regiment Heavy Artillery of "ew lor!
had ,oO5 men, and it is believed that should
necessity arise the regiment could. under
the new plans, be used to Advantage at
Forts Hamilton, Wadsworth and Hancock
Consequently, it is recommended that the
thirteenth Regiment he assigned, four
companies each, to the three forts named.
According to War Department. experts,
the strength OF the present plan lies in the
fact that in time OF peace the assignment
Of the militia is to be for purposes OF drill
and instruction, but in time OF war as part
Of the regular garrison under the COM
mand of the artillery post commanders.
Gen. Oliver and the officers of the General
STAFF believe that il the recommendations
outlined are approved by the Governors
of the various seaboard States TO which
and suggestion the United States will
have practically an impregnable line. OF
defence. 1t is confidently expected that
the Governors to whom the matter has
been referred will take great interest in the
subject, as will the officers and men of the
various commands to be affected by the
carrying out Of the plans.
Army and Navy Orders.
W.suISoToN. Sent 2s-These army orders