Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-03-22

~ z ~see ~ eConu&ctieut City
~ the Defense ~ New YORK.
Navy officers who have studied the
region nave often and urgently pressed
upon their department the Importance Of
developing the station at New London
and inakingit efficient. One rnust ad-
mire their energy and faithfulneas IN
continuing to lay before their superiors
tne vital Importance Of strengthening
tnls strategic base in the outer defense
~ New York in the face OF long con-
unued plgeonholing Of reports. That
their anxiety Is not unfounded bec1mes
plain when we consider that Great
Britain has powerful station at Hall
TAX, from which. If 80 disposed. she
could hnrl her thunderbolts OF maritime
war upon this unprotected SPOT at very
short notice, precisely AZ she could
strike our South Atlantic coast from the
Bahamas She may never even wish to
do either thing, but isn't il rather fool
tsh to remain unprepared for the blow
when we have ample resources for es-
tablishing guard against it?
The amount of trade that passes
through Long Island sound coastwise is
hardly conceived Of by the majority OF
citizens Il amounts to great many
million dollars worth q year, and all
this trade could be paralyzed by quick
stroke from foreign navy. In 1880 the
entire munitions of war manufactured
in the United States amounted to all.
600, 900. sOf this total, 50 900, goo worth
was manufactured in Connecticut alone.
A foreign fleet in the sonnd, therefore,
would be able to deprive MS OF our main
source OF munitions without even at
tempting to attack New York.
Cut off city's supply Of air and what
would 1t matter whether that city sur
rendered or not? Shut off from New
York in war time nine elevenths Of the
material it needed for war and it would
be as helpless as a city without air tx
breathe. But this is not ALL An enem,
in the sound could cut at New Londor
and again at New Haven, the chief line.
of land communication and railroad
transportation between New England
and New York
Il of the loss which would thus b.
caused small percentage were now t.
be promptly applied TO building up New
York's outer line of defense, with
strong navy yard at New London as it
base, the whole cost would be defrayed
in few years without Inconvenience t,
any one. In time of action. while oul
battle ships and cruisers patrolled tn.
Race or engaged the enemy, with sup
port from the forts, our monitors, emery
ing from New London, would Turk safe
ly behind Fishers island, prepared T.
assist; for there again, on the north face
nature favors us with the sheltered wa
tiers of Hay harbor and West harbor. L
case of injury. vessels could quickly ru
into New London, and repair at the nav
yard. Thus. while the surroundings an
| topography are not the same as those O
| the entrance to the Mediterranean, W
should still have what might we'll b
| called IAN American Gibraltar" quit
| As invulnerable as the stronghold at tn
| pillars of Hercules, and much greater i
| range.
| Boston can be equipped effectually t
| defend herself; and Newport also,
| fortified, is in a position to ward off a
enemy. But neither of these, by so dc
ing, can help to defend New York. Ne,
| London, on the other hand, if her mai
ural advantages are utilized, can reps
any attack on New York from the cas-
and thereby relieve the metropolis froI
| dread in that quarter. 1t is well, it
Indispensable. to protect New York fror
assault by way of the Narrows Blu
what will it avail to bar that small fror
door if the broad rear entrance throug
| the s0uDd ha loft 11pdafopdad2- I
Lathrop in Harper's Weekly.