The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1891-12-18
COAST DEFENSES.

the fifty-frst congress, contributed
an interesting article to the New
York Recorder on that subject.
That paper highly compliments
Senator Dolph upon the publica-
ton of this article in the following
language:
The article which he has fur
nished for our columns will en-
hance the reputation he has earned
as the author of official addresses
and reports on the subject to which
his attention has been devoted.
In fact, the contribution which 1t
gives us pleasure to publish, is an
expert compendium of the recent
progress and present condition OF
the science of war as applied to
the protection of American ports
against attack from the sea.
As chairman of this committee,
Senator Dolph has most naturally
become the foremost authority on
the measures necessary to render
our seaboard secure against foreign
incursion. He has given the mat
ter thorough study, and has a
broad conception OF the necessl-
ties serviceable to our coast line.
Thus his knowledge will be a
potential element in the delibera-
fions of the fifty second congress
on coast defenses. Speaking OF
the Importance OF legislative action
upon the protection of our sea
coast; Senator Dolph observes:
One of the most important ques-
tions which will coma before the
next congress for consideration is
that of coast defenses. The re-
cent improvement in guns, pro-
jectiles, explosives, armor and
other offensive and defensive ap-
pliances have rendered our exist
ing defenses comparatively worth
less. Only a beginning has been
made toward the procurement OF
modern guns for coast defense and
the construction of the necessary
emplacements for them. Five
thousand miles of seacoast, with
numerous harbors and important
sea-board cities and a extensive
and valuable commerce upon the
great lakes, are practically de
1enseless. Four thousand million
dollars, worth of property woulo
BE exposed to destruction in case
Of war with a naval power.
Four thousand million dollars
worth OF property would indicate
weaNf,at stake beyond computa
Non, and to have this exposed tx
the dangers of foreign incursion a
most any time, is truly a most de
pEorable. condition for country
like ours to be placed in. Th'
strategic occasions of warfare art
almost incomprehensible, and petty
International disturbances may re
salt very disastrously within th'
limits Of very brief period. Sen
ator Dolph gives vent to his idei
ofwarfare when he adheres to TIN
antiquated proverbial maxim
ain time of peace prepare for war.
He says:
The best way of preserving al
honorable peace is preparation TO
war. The knowledge that an ad
versary is prepared to resent al
insult or take redress for wrong
will make a nation careful to avoic
cause fer ofense. While prepare
ton for war might make us NOR
tenacious of our rights, it woul
make other nations more ready t
accord them to us.
The idea is well taken. We ar
on peaceful terms with other ma
tions only as long as they permi
as that privilege. At the presen
time, under existing conditions, a
evasion of foreign conquest woul
utterly destroy our commerce o
the sea, and render the situatio
helpless at home and deplorabl
abroad. Of our needs in the lin
Of coast 'defenses, Senator Dolp
offers the following recommends
tions:
We need a number of fas
cruisers with modern high -powe
guns to police the seas, to bear OF
flag to foreign ports, and in cas-
Of war to destroy the commerc
of the enemy. We need for th
port of San Francisco and th
mouth of the Mississippi, and prt
badly for the port of New Yorl
floating batteries, not designed fe
sea service, built for strength, {
Eight draft, with thicker armor an
more powerful guns than those I
the ships OF an enemy which coul
- be- brought against them. B'
fixed Notifications for coast d
fease should be provided before "
provide navy of great armore
war ships.
Throughout Senator Dolph's
ticle consists of many statesma
IKE suggestions. 1t urges appr
priations for hasty operations, al
the advice should be timely take
and regarded with popular a
proval.