The Cairo bulletin., 1910-12-10
WAR SECRETARY
MAKES REPORT
ENDORSES AERoPLANE AS PART
OF WAR EQUIPMENT FoRs
UNITED STATES.
WANTS CANAL FORTIFIED
At Cost OF Over Nineteen Millions
Desertions From Army Less
More Power to Utilize
4 Militia is Asked.

Washington, Dec. 9.-As might
have, been expected aftaf his per:
sonal flights in aeroplanes in France,
Secretary Dic..inson comes out in his
annual ceport with strong endorse
ment Of the flying machine and with
recommendation to congress for an
appropriation to provide the Signal
Corps with reasonable number ot
the better type OF machine for in
struction purposes and field work.
Air Ships in War.
He recalls the fact that the United
States was the first nation officially
to recognize the aeroplane for mill
tary purposes and conducted at Fort
Myer in 1908 the first public flight of
Il heavier than air machine, yet it has
since that date made no addition to
its aeronautical equipment, which at
present consists Of one small drigible
balloon, one Wright aeroplane, and
three small captive ballons Nor has
it added to its trained personnel,
which at present consists of one Sig
nal Corps lieutenant and nine en-
listed men, on duty in connection
with aeronautics There is only one
officer who is licensed pilot fer free
balloons.
The secretary calls attention to the
fact that the entrance to Chesapeake
Bay, one of the most important
points strategically ON the Atlantic
Sea Coast is wholly unfortifed, nct
single gun being mounted to delcni
the channel between Cape Charles
and Cape Henry. At another impot-
ant point--the western entrance 10
long Island Sound additional guas'
are needed. Except for these in
stances, so far as guns alone ara
concerned, the sea coast defenses al
all home ports are in very satisfac
tory state, but much remains to be
done in providing such auSiiaries as
seaCcn lights and in developing the
fire control system, winch will re
qulre about si,000,000 OF expenai.
ture.
To Fortify Canal
Congress is asked to authoize an
expenditure of $19,546,S4 for the for
tification of tormini of the Panama
canal, including the construction of
posts for the eAermanent garrison and
s7000,00O of This sum should be made
available imedately In order to COM
rlete the projecc within three years
The additional sum of $2,000,000 Is
also wanted Immediately to be ap
llied towards the creation of naval
Establishments in the canal zone as a
necessary part OF the defense of the
canal
Desertions From Army.
The secretary notes with gradhca.
tion a reduction by 306 per cent in
the number Of desertions last year
compsred with the preceding year
Altogether there were 1854 deser-
tions or percentage of 3,GG of the
strength of the army which was less
than any fiscal year since 1899. The.
decrease was most marked in the en-
gineers, field artillery and cavalry.
This is believed to lie the result
of the extraordinary effort made by
the department In the direction Of
prompt and vigorous pursuit Of de-
serter by means practically certain to
result in his apprehension and subse
Quent punishment as military con
vict under the hard and rigorous con
ditions of prison discipline.
iRaisine the Maine.
Touching the progress of the work
of uncovering the wreck of the
Name In Havana has~or, TIC secre-
tary states that the plans for the
construction of cofferdam Of inter
locking steel piling around the wreck
nave been approved and are now I'm.
der execution. 1t is proposed to draw
OFF the water as soon as the dam is
tight and remove the everything mud
and other material in order to permit
II desired of a thorough examination
o. the condition CT the wreck in pres.
ent post on to determine the cause
Of the explosion.
The appropriation of 100000 nj
ready made will accomplish all of The
preliminary wck contemplated at
present but the actual removal of the
wreck and the restoration Of the har.
Dor to It's original condition will re-
ouire a fla'ther appropriation, tde
amount oi wniah will depend unpn
the disposition to be made OF the
structure as a whole. In this connec-
tson the secretary says that 1t Is de-
sirale that congress hould Indicate
the disposition to be made Of the
wreck upon completion OF the work
of removal,