Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-12
---------------
THE COAST DEFENSES.


during the last three or four years in
the construction and equipment of
coast defenses, but great deal re-
mains to be accomplished before this
very important requirement for the ma
tional defense is complete. Captain
Zalinski, a retired officer of the United
| States army points out that when the
war with Spain was declared the situ-
alton as to both armament and fortifi-
cations was such that we were practic-
ally defenseless had we been attacked
by any of the great naval powers. The
movement of our army to Cuba was
delayed because of the suspected move
ments of the Spanish fleet. 1t was nee
essary to keep directly detached very
considerable portion Of our fleet to pa
| troll the coast while other portions mad
to be retained at points from which
they could be moved quickly to the
rescue of our otherwise defenseless
coast. Had our coasts been properly
| fortified, says Captain Zalinski, the ell
| tire fleet would have been available for
| covering the crossing Of our ARMY to
| Cuba and Porto Rico The advance
could have been made long before the
| wet season had set in and our troops
would have been spared much loss OF
| life and sickness.
There were no serious consequences
| from our almost defenseless situation,
but this fortunate fact. due to the
weakness of the enemy, does Lot fur
nish valid reason for continuing this
situation, nor will it be prudent 10
delay the work of constructing coast
defenses upon the theory that or pres
ent amicable relations with the rest of
the world will always be maintai.led.
If we could be assured of perpetual
peace with all other nations it would
be unwise to eXpend more money on
defenses or in enlarging the navy, but
there can be no such assurance. In
deed we shall find our best security
against war with a foreign power in
having ample defenses and in strength
ening our naval power. Years ago
Samuel ]. Tilden, urging the creation
of effective coast defenses, said: ''The
DeSI dSaihob aSSiCoSioh, tiN
best assurance that our diplomacy will
be successful and pacific, and that our
rights and honor will be respected by
other nations, is to be in a situation
to vindicate our reputation and inter-
ests. While we may even be deficient
in our means of offense, we cannot af-
ford to be defenseless. The notorety
of the fact that we have neglected the
ordinary precautions of defense invites
want of consideration in our diplomacy
injustice, arrogance and insult at the
hands of foreign nations" This is as
applicable now as when it was written
fourteen years ago and really there are
stronger reasons at present than there
were at that time for being in situa-
ton to vindicate our interests, which
have become very much greater and
more widespread than in Mr.. Tilden's
time.
The Fifty-sixth congress will I'M
doubtedly give this matter the atten-
ton 1t merits and make ample provi-
sion for carrying out the plans of coast
defense in pursuance of which the
work has been progressing for several
years. Captain Ialinski says that in
view of the appropriations which have
been made it is not unfair to state that
two-thirds of the fortitications are yet
to be provided for, at an approXimated
cost of $46.O00,0OO, exclusive of arma-
ment, If annual appropriate are
made at the rate of $9000OO0 as rec
commended by the Endicott board, and
the armament receives its due proper
tions, the defense might be completed
in about ten years, that is, in 1909.
Whether it is advisable or prudent to
delay the completion so long is ques-
ton. Captain Zalinski evidently thinks
that it is not but congress must be gov
erned in the matter of appropriations
for this purpose by the available re-
sources. At all events the coast de-
fcnse work must not be permitted to
halt or be unnecessarily delayed. The