New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-06
NEED MORE DEFENCES.
PRESIDENT TO CONGRESS.
Forfifcations for Insuldr Possessions
Canal and Home Ports Urged.

..nt n message 20 Congress to-day accompany
,,r mans for coast defence prepared by a Joint
hoard OF army and navy officers In which he
embassies the necessity for further defences
md reviews the history OF defensive works in
This country. The President calls especial at
,sntion 70 the recommendation OF the board that
,he entrance to Chesapeake Bay be added TO the
IA. OF places In the United States to be defended
% ssys the insular possessions cannot longer be
-.aected If the United States desires 10 hold
them. Defences are recommended for Manila
Psy Pearl Harbor. Guantanamo. Guam San
man and Honolulu because OF their strategic
,sportance. Defences also recommended for
Entrances 10 the Panama Canal. The text OF
the message follows:
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
Our coast defences they existed in 1860
we're not surpassed in efficiency by those OF any
country. but within q few years the introduction
Of riied cannon and arrnor in the pavies OF the
,rorld against which the smooth bore guns We're
practically useless. rendered them obsolete. For
many years no attempt was made TO remedy the
Sesciencies OF these seacoast Notifications
There was no establishment IN the country
equipped for the manufacture of high power
-4aed guns. There was no definite adopted pol
icv OF coast defence. and Congress was reluct-
srt 10 undertake work the cost OF which could
not be stated even approximately and the details
~ which had no advanced-so far as could be
sscertained-beyond the experimental stages
The act OF March 8. 1888 was the first de-
~fei adequate
ordnance for military purposes. Under the pnO-
visions Of this act Joint board OF officers OF the
army and navy was appointed for the purpose
of examining and reporting TO Congress which OF
.he navy Yards or arsenals owned by the gov
ornreut has the best location and is best adapt
81 FOR the establishment of a government
soyndrv or what other method, II any should be
sSonted for the manufacture OF heavy ordnance
s6apted 20 modern warfare for the use of the
army and navy OF the United States This
hoard known the Gun Foundry Board"
made its report in 1884. and directed public at
tention not only 10 the defenceless condition of
our coasts. but 10 the Importance and necessity
protection of our hsrbors and coast cities.
As result, the act OF Congress. approved
March g. 1855. provided that "the President OF
tbs United States shall appoint board,
which board shall examine and report at what
ports Notifications or other defences are most
urgently required. the character and kind OF de-
fences best adapted TO EACH with reference to
ornaments. the utilization OF torpedoes. mines
and other defensive appliances"
THE ENDICorT BOARDS WORK.
The board organized under the foregoing pro-
vision OF law. popularity known the Endicott
board in fits report Of January %, 1856. cited
the principles on which any system OF coast
defence should be based, and clearly stated the
necessity OF having our important strategic and
commercial centres made secure against naval
attack. In determining the ports that were in
urgent need Of defence. since fleet did not exist
for the protection Of the merchant marine, forti-
fcations were provided at every harbor Of I'M
portance along the coast and at several Of the
lake ports. For any particular harbor or locality
the report specifics the ornaments 10 be used,
the number Of submarine mines and torpedo
boats, with detailed estimates OF cost for these
various items. The proposed guns. mounts and
enplacements were Of types that seemed at that
tine best suited TO accomplish the desired
suits, based the only data available. namely.
experiments and Information of similar work
from abroad.
After the report was made part OF the public
records the development and adoption OF suit
able disappearing gun carriage caused the sub
q or
turrets and armored classmates. materially re-
oucing the cost OF installing the ornaments; the
frest advances IN ordnance, increasing the
power and range OF the later guns, caused a
diminution in the number and calibre OF the
pieces 10 be mounted, and this fact. combined
with advances in the science Of engineering.
rendered unnecessary the construction of the
expensive floating batteries designed by the
Endicott board for mounting guns TO give suf1-
Gent fire for the defence OF wide channels.
for harbors where suitable foundations could
not be secured on land. Furthermore, keeping
pace with the gradual development and improve
ment IN the engines and implements Of war, for
tilted harbors are equipped with rapid fire guns,
ana 10 certain extent with power plants;
searchlighJs and a system or nre control ana
direction now essential adjuncts OF a complete
system OF defence, though not 80 considered by
that board.
DEVELOPMENT OF ORDNANCE.
While the details OF the scheme of defence
recommended by the Endicott board have been
departed from, IN making provision for later
Developments Of war material the great value
OF its report lies in the fact that IL sets forth
definite and ineligible plan or policy upon
which the very important work OF coast defence
should proceed, and which is as applicable to-
day as when formulated.
The greater effective ranges possible with the
later riaed cannon, the necessity OF thoroughly
covering with gunfire all available waters OF
approach and the growth Of seacoast towns be-
yond the limits Of some OF the military reserva-
IONS have combined to move defensive works
more 10 the front. and many of the gun posi-
lions ROW occupied have been obtained from
private ownership. The cost OF such sites has
been large item in the present cost of fortih-
cations, and this purchase Of land was not in
eluded in its estimates by the Endicott board.
An examination OF the report also discloses
ne fact that estimates submitted COW
erlng supply OF ammunition TO be kept in re-
serve for the service Of the guns that were rec
ofnInendea, due, perhaps. to the fact that
sausiactory power TO give the energy desired
tho a suitable projectile TO accomplish the de-
eteo destruction Of armor were still in expert
mental stages. These questions, however, are
no longer IN doubt, ana Congress already has
needed
NEEDS OF INSULAR POSSESSIONS.
Inc omissions In the estimates OF the Endi-
~ BOARD and the changes in the details OF
=. pShs nave caused doubts in the minds or
many as 10 the money that will be needed TO
.e.eho completely our coasts by guns, mines
&C &C their adtuncts. New localities are pressing
SyT claims for defence.
Ia, a. Insular possessions cannot be held un-
ss INC principal ports, naval bases and coal
war.
These considerations have led me to appoint
goint board OF officers Of the army and navy
=, 70 recommend the armament. fixed and float
9 s mobile torpedoes, submarine mines and
80 80 olher defensive appliances that may be
scessary 70 complete the harbor defence. with
VIC most economical and advantageous ex-
G-lolturs Of money" The board was further
- >uucteo 80 extend fits examinations so as
ts,,, include estimates and recommendations
save 10 the defences OF the insular pos
Hions and TO recommend the order in
.HIcn The proposed defences shall be