The Washington times., 1914-11-06
DEFENSES AWAIT GARRISONS.

The defenses outside the continental
United States are practically ready for
their EarriSons. and when these are pro-
vided there will remain for home gun
defenscs 176 officers and 7,543 enlisted
men. which is about one-third of one
relief
"One-thrd of one relief
This means simply that when Pan
anna. Hawaii. the Philippines and Porto
Rico are protected that there will be
left in the United States Just one-third
enough coast artillerymen to serve the
guns, and when they are tired out with
the manning there will be not one ar
tilleryman TO 90 to the relief.
Congress has fixed the number of
coast artillery companies at 10. with
total force of 70l officers and 1881 en-
listed men. General Weaver says that
this number Is a 'rneager requirement
for the defenses of the United States
alone"
Since the law was passed fixing the
strength of tho coast artillery. twenty
five companies have been withdrawn
for service in the Philippines, Hawaii
and Panama. In the near future it will
be necessary TO take forty-nine addi-
tional companies from the coast de-
fenses of the continental United States
for service in the three possessions.
Militimen Not Provided.
1t is said by the War Department Of
ficials that il was expected so per cent
OF the personnel required for manning
the gun and mortar batteries of the
continental United States would be sup
piled by the organized militia Of the
coast States, but this expectation has
not been realized.
With every encouragement extended
by the War Department to the military
authorities of the coast States to create
coast artillery and to assist in the de-
fcnses of their cites and harbOrs, the
quota so far supplied is less than half
what should be furnished.
It should be known that the service
Of the big guns. mortars and mines
is one of high technical requirement in
volving considerable time to train Of
fiCers and enlisted men eff GENTLY to
fa1dle the armament. range-findlng
equipment, searchlights and the power
aru electrical apparatus connected
the roast line Immediately becomes
the threatened line. and thee is then
no time available to train volunteers. :"
Congress is to he asked at the next
session to enact leg slaton which Will
Increase the Coast Artillery Corps by
the number of officers and enlisted men
which either have been or must he alb
stracted from the United States for
over the sea service. and to provide
that hereafter whenever new fortlhca-
tione arc authorized. provision for
manning them shall be included in the
lcl. 'sla ton which author yes the con-
struction of the Notifications.
May Not Be Pleased
Friends Of disarmament may not be
pleased. but tho effort, nevertheless. is
to be made to induce th.. lawmakers TO
give this country not only the oppor-
tunity to learn how Ia defend itself, but
tr.. means to make the defense.
So loosely do some American law
makers think on the subject of defenseE
that suggestions actually have been
made that il is not necessary to mount
on coast jiefenses guns Of effective
range force. and penetration. Tho
army officers know and General Weaver
nCints out that foreign wiTshipE Of the
latest design gre to carry guns larger
than fourteen inches In cal bcr and Of
the highost ballistic power.
CONGRESS not long ago authorized the
= TChaSe Of land at cape Henry upon
which dcfenses are TO be erected. Re-
cent artillery lessons. the i:nportanrr
% which has come 10 us from the other
side Of the water. have made II tn"
duty of the War Department officials tn
2sk Congress that the tyI." Of gun for
the Cave Henry fortilrations sh.n be a
I5-inCh 50-cal:ber weanOn. These guns
cost money. and whether or not Con-
Eress v Il cOnsidcr the proposition !sado
n"y n = TnGtt+~ of doubt
Preparedness il TO hc one Of the sharp
Cacstipns for debate in Congress nf tine
'.@:.!ug session. tn" story If unpr"-