New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
FOR COAST DEFENCE
First Step TO1cdrd Creating
LittoraI Corps Taken.
rE-,-. ne r-.hrns Rursau.

TF-1m The Tribune Bure1ul
Washington, Nov. 13.-The coast artillery
corps Of the army has taken the first step
toward establishing a littorsl defence corps,
such as was suggested editorially IN lhe
Tribune some weeks ago. The recommeh-
dation has been made that the coast de-
fence corps be separated from the rest OF
the army and organized as a territorial d.
vision. composed Of three territorial de-
partments. each commanded by briSadler
general, these three generals 10 report 20
the chief Of the corps. who shall be ma
jOr general II Is understood that TINS prop
osition has received the approval OF the
General Staff, which has also before II
several theses outlining methods Of combin-
ing the marine corps with the coast de-
fence corps. the whole To constitute the lit
toral defence corps.
Officers % the infantry and cavalry arm.
but especially Of the infantry, are up in
arms over the proposition and have deter
mined on an opposition which il now seems
will require the interference of the Secre-
tary Of War.
The proposition OF the coast defence OFF,
GERS meets with the bitterest opposition
from the infantrymen, who publish in
monthly journal Of their association Wig
lfAeAA+-
serted that the coast artillery must remain
a part OF the army and be ready 10 take
part with the mobile forces in any opera
tions calling for joint employment Of troops.
II is insisted. for instance. that in oversea
expeditions the coast artillery will be need
ed for manning the siege guns and heavy
field artillery, and that in most other Op-
erations in time OF war the infantry, field
artillery and cavalry should be associated
with the coast artiIlerists in the plans or
offence and defence II Is maintained that
this separation OF the coast artillery from
the rest of the army would take away an
important part of the military force and
seriously cripple the army in its plans of
warfare. There are some pointed illusions
on the part of infantrymen TO what they
call the secession OF the coast artillery.
on the other hand. the representatives,
OF the coast defence corps in the War De-
partment refrain from engaging in the dis
cussion. II is acknowledged that there are
plans for the Improvement OF the coast
artillery corps. but the details Of the prof.
ect are not given out. beyond what has
been contained in the annual report Of the
chief Of the coast -efence corps The artil-
lerists are disposed TO enjoy the sugges-
ton that any plan for the isolation OF the
coast artillery corps meets with opposition
Il is taken as a tribute 10 the worth Of the
coast artillery as an indispensable adjunct
of the aghting force.
II will be recalled that Congress has al
ready separated the coast defence corps
from the field artillery. which remains a
part OF the mobile army. Should the Cen
eral stan Of the army approve the propOsi-
tion TO attach the marines 10 the proposed
littoraI defence corps the opposition Of the
infantry and cavalry would be still fur
ther increased but it is probable that the
navy would welcome such disposition OF
what IL regards as the superfuous and no
longer desired marines.