The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-12
THURSDAY, MARCH -.
Puget SOUND DEFENsEs.

The committee of the senate on coast
defsnses has had number of important
witnesses before Il, whose testimony is Of
unusual interest. Important as the sub
3ect OF coast defenses is TO every large
port, the protection OF the Northwest Pa
cific is Of especial concern to us. and the
conclusions OF the authorities VIII have a
considerable bearing on the ultimate
plans.
Admiral Walker has devoted considera-
bic attention 20 the Puget sound district.
and his opinion is that the best course is
10 provide the Sound with good. big battle
ships. II. he said. he had money enough
10 build six battieships. or four battle
ships and four coast defense vessels. he
would prefer the six battleships. which
would be much more formidable to an
enemy lie believed that no enemy would
threaten us. even from Esauimait, IL we
had two good battleships In these waters,
and he called particular attention TO the
defonseless condition OF the dry dock al
Port Orchard. which he thinks should
Pacific coast should have at least three
good defenders; and he does not include
Ire Monterey In that class. because she 10
untitled for rough seas. 1t would be aft
noult to work her guns. as they are very
low in tho water. IL high seas should pre-
vail
Gen. Miles. speaking from military
standpoint. was very earnest In insisting
that the entrance 10 Puget sound sholid
be fortified. but not with such guns as are
now placed at Fort Candy. the mouth Of
the Columbia. and the harbor OF San Fran
cisco. All these. he considers. are only 1T
10 be sold as old iron, and that a few men,
mounted In the rigging OF ship OF war.
using raDid-fire guns such as the Maxim
gun. which fres 60 shots a minute. or tho
Cob. which fires 800 shots minute. with
a range OF two miles. would keep the men
away from our own guns, mounted In bar
bette
Gen. Flaeler. who was also examined.
was in favor Of rortifying Puget sound with
16-lnch. or at least 1s-inch guns, and some
needed. bat the mortar is much less expen-
sive. and the same kind OF effect can be had
from mortars. with less cost OF operation
than guns.
Gen. Craighlll submitted an estimate for
tho expenditure OF 100000 for Puget sound
dofenses. of which SsG,eo should be spent
this year. This was on a basis OF the strict
est economy. but he preferred to recon-
mend an expenditure OF $4,000 before July
]. OF this year. with an ultimate outlay OF
500. 600. In communication he submits ed
he estimated that the amount required for
the engineering part 90 the defenses OF
Puget sound would be s.. So. o0. not Inciui-
ing sites AMI torpedoes.
With all these authorities In our favor
Il seems highly improbable that We can 10
long left without an effort on the part OF
congress TO provide for our necessities
The condition Of Puget sound. as well as
of tho Columbia and san Francisco hsrbor
Is serious enough. with any prospect of war.
10 command the gravcst attention; and
although there Is no likelihood OF such an
event at present. the disturbed condition
Of Europe. together With the elaborate
preparations all continental powers are
making. Justify such measures OF prccau-
ton as the wealth ana defenseicssncss OF
our Pacific coast cities require and as would
sueEest themselves 10 any rruden; admin
istration.