Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-02-25
s40,000,000 REQUIRED
Total Number of Guns and Nor
tars Called For Is 1901, of
Three to 16 Inches Bore
1884 Are Already Provided
III More Wanted.

Washington. Feb. OF greater
range and power than any that could
be arrayed against them were asked for
American coast defenses in a report of
the army board submitted by Secretary
Garrison and made public to-day by the
House appropriations committee. The
board advised that the old type Pinch
gunS and mortars ARE not equal in range
and power to major calibre guns afloat."
Mr.. Garrison recommended the imme-
date Improvement of some of the coast
defenses so that the range of the old ~
inch guns could be increased to 10000
yards, and the board suggested that
wherever it was necessary to construct
new works the larger guns should be 16-
inch, 45 calibre weapons.
The boards report said in part.
after fun consideration of the ques-
ton presented by the secretary OF war
the board finds:
THAT the old type Pinch guns and
mortars are now equal in range and
power to major calibre guns aaoat.
THAT by such minor changes In the
carriage Of the old type Pinch gun at
present emplaced as will permit an Gle
walton Of Is degrees, and by the provision
OF a certain proportion of lighter projec-
tiles of approximately 100 pounds weight.
an effective range Of about 2o.00O yards
can be given these guns that these
changes should be made.
14-1NCH GUNS SUITABLE.
THAT the great majority of our IA
inch guns. with certain slight changes
which have already been ordered and by
the supplyof a portion of the projectiles Of
lighter weight than the heaviest now fur
nished, are suitable in power and range
to meet any that may now be brought
against them.
THAT n policy should be adopted Of
providing through annual appropriations
for such undermining of Notifications
as will result in keeping pace with the
Improvement in armament afoat.
That In the case of those works where
undermining involves very extensive
changes in emplacements. gun carriages.
etc. it will be the policy TO construct
new works and provide new ornaments
adequate for the demands Of the situa-
ton.
THAT the old works should be held,
when practicable and desirable, as a
secondary line Of defense.
AT LEAST 1s-INCH. 45-CALIBRE.
mat Wherever IL may De necessary TO
construct new works, especially at i'm
portant points, such as the entrances of
our principal harbors, naval bases, etc.
the major cahbre guns should be at least
a sixteen-inch' forty-hve calibre gun,
mounted so as to nave the greatest pos
sible protection and an all round fire
where IL may De necessary to nave such
fire.
sr1~,nt tIo n,.ta =, .. r. .tyo l.
lhat 'he mortars 20 De installed In
.utuie snou'o De VI not TESS IMAM WE'VE
M V""ore Win d range Oh d, ieas'
"A,w, "'us
- .Nro ."' " ~
s... o"i
No. .ne
oracti,. .g.,,., .h,n 80 49, ,..
as a valuable adjunct for Tho ,ard do.
Tense. II must not. however. at any i'm
portant point be adopted to the exclusion
OF high power direct fire guns.
"Ihe general policy with reference to
sea coast defenses should be to have
the armament there emplaced Of greater
range and power than n which can be
brought against IL"
$40, 900, 900 NEEDED.
S.cretarv Ia rr.on.s sta,sm.n, n the
committees ravtewsd tho nroeram for con.
e,u,c,,or ~ coa., da,arses u,h,ch he
said wou,d rso,ire s4o mn am
..Tbe nrotec+ as rsvtsad "a date" he
said .cars for am guns and mortar re
~ ca,,br.. from three inch "a "a inch
inclusive or this nur,ber ia. q, o,
mar cont havo ham nrovtd.d ,or al, -,
which excent ~ NOW r ro,rtad ,r
:, ,or,iaca t,ons Th.rs r,m,irs 70 ha on
nySprated for ~ guns ,ra r,ortsr,"
For tho co.s, ,uns tho saora,or,, .a,a
tho o,,uwaroo ., omrrn,tion yoa 49,
IN . orort,,y .,N,o,ort o. moho,,
sn,agsmert for boIr w. toto, r,roho,
=, wao non nour..d ona ,h,t ~. u,..
IN hand ord ,rdar m.nr,antrra o,nro~i
mot.Iv - =. cor, =, .h,. ,row.noa
o w. -.
N wv
Inc prescribed allowance OF ammuni'
ton Tor fortihcations or the insular pos
sessions ana the fahama canal. ne said
was enough TO carry the guns through
a two-hour engagement together witt