New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-18
rrzoM THE TRIBUNE suREAu.I

hast o.bfevements OF the Republican admins
tratfon since 1897 Is that relating TO the spien-
didly developed and extended scheme OF sea-
board defences Of the country. the credit 1or
which belongs to that vigorous and careiul
policy OF military preparedness against foreign
foe that has distinguished the War Depart
ment.s management since the eve Of the war
with Spain.
Although the present approved system Of ma
tionaI seaboard defence dates back to 1850. YET
even a dozen years ago tho United States would
have been comparatively at the mercy OF any
formidable naval power, so far. at least, as con-
cerned the safety of her ocean ports. Indeed up
to 1894 the planned Improvement OF the seacoast
Notifications was hardly under way, and even In
$685. II may be recalled. the reported designs OF
Cervera's Spanish fleet. then believed to DO at
large upon the seas. frightened some persons not
a little. causing more or less anxiety. especially
to the inhabitants Of Boston and Norfolk ana
other New-England and Southern ports. On tho
Pacific side similar unpreparedness for war had
likewise long prevailed, and as late al 1880 ono
of the most conspicuous American generals pub
licly declared that San Francisco Harbor was
then so utterly defenceless that any hostile
navy the equal in size and equipment OF that OK
either Italy or Japan could have levied tribute
on the Golden Gate City or could at pleasure
have demolished 1t by bombardment.
But II is now entirely different. No longer DO
we need to depend chiefly. II not wholly. upon
our warships seaport defenders The navy
may. In the emergency Of war, now or at any
time In the future. devote itself to legitimate
naval aims and purposes IN contesting for mas
terry of the sea, controlling It's channels OF COM
merce and supplies. for the seacoast and
heavy guns now alone sufficient to defend
and protect our ports. What prior to President
StNr only
quate and merely nominal system Of ocean front
protection-a mere shallow pretence and fragile
mask OF strength-has since that time been de-
veloped into maturely considered and carefully
executed scheme OF seacoast forthcations ana
armament, which. though not yet completed.
already. according to the expressed opinions OK
two Of the best informed military scientists in
our army forms strong national bulwark OF
defence which a reasonably rational or cautious
naval enemy, however strong, would not dare to
attack without serious risk Of disaster and GER
tain defeat.
VAST IMPROVEMENT IN ARMAMENT.
In the opinions of the chief of engineers and the
chief of ordnance OF the United States Army.
our seacoast Notifications and heavy armament
to-day go beyond mere defensive strength. mas
much they literally command and control the
seas for seven or eight miles from the fortified
land head points on our shores; our big guns. It
is declared. making IL absolutely impossible. or
at least critically unsafe, for any warships to
come within Smelling bombardins distance OF
any of our important seaports- From Maine to
Florida. and thence to Texas. as we'll from
Port Iona northward on the Pacific. our sea
cities are all safe. and under circumstances
whoever be our enemy IT is confidently asserted
by high military authorities. could Boston, New
York or San Francisco be effectively bombarded
or IN the least degree threatened or endangered
from the sea. II may not be generally known.
however that on June 80. 1896 (eght years after
the institution of the scheme OF national coast
Defence the Notifications along our coasts were
so deplorably insufficient and defective TO
render It a matter OF national policy TO exclude
from them, far possible. any and every
person who likely to communicate TO for
eign powers the intelligence of our defenceless
shores. and precautionary orders were accord
insly made and enforced. At every harbor at
stone forts 0he best Of their kind in their day..
supplemented by earthen batteries for smooth
bore guns OF the period Immediately succeeding
the Civil War. 1nterspersed with these decaying
relics OF once fairly good, but even then obso-
lete. defensive works. at least AT few harbors
were modern batteries of the earlier type-mere
experimental attempts TO meet the new dangers
of improved modern naval ordnance. While
these all less unsatisfactory as
compared with present developments. IT never
theless necessary to utilize far as prac-
ticable the old system, and to some extent the
old batteries. made by improvement and re-
pair, We're converted into rather formidable en-
gines OF war; In the last seven years. however
these patched up old batteries. few in number
and experimental at best, have been metamor-
phosed into numerous improved. up to date de-
fences. guaranteeing. In the opinion Of thought
full military students and critics safe and ef-
fective protection for every important ocean city
on our coasts. Indeed. from having. eight years
ago. only ninety-two emplacements for heavy
guns and mortars. seventy-hve OF which were
mounted. and few rapid fire guns OF small
calibre. We now have, ready for the use of we'll
trained artiilersts. enplacements for 652 heavy
guns and mortars. Gil of which are mounted to-
gether with 367 of the now all important and eff
fectve improved rapid fire guns of the six inch
and lighter calibres. 1S5 of which are mounted
To insure a better understanding OF this ex-
traordnary increase of national strength under
Republican administration. the fact may be
noted that after years Of discussion in Congress
ter OF seacoast defences was in 1883 formulated
cations and Other Defences." since generally
known the "Endicott Board" The recon-
mendations OF that board. receiving the sanction
OF Congress. contemplated the expenditure of
one hundred millions of dollars on a scale of
gradually progressive work. and at once became
the basis of our fixed national policy OF defence
The board had indicated localities and the char
acter of the work at EACH estimating the probable
cost Of construction and recommending for first