Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-05-12

! penditure of money.
In addition to all this the position itself
is a less important one. 1t is from the At
lantic ocean that attacks would naturally
come, and i is doubtful if, in case Of for
eign war, any considerable fleet would
ppea in the Pacific waters.
All this, however,, will not be sufficient
to persuade the experts that it would be
safe to leave the western mouth of the
canal ever slightly protected. According
to the plans that are being prepared, ev-
cry possible point of attack will be fully
covered.
On the western mouth of the canal
there are no natural difficulties to be
overcome. The lane is high and steep
and lends itself to military plans so cas-
lily that it will be possible to do away en-
tlrely with the turret that will be one Of
the most costly of the defenses at the
| eastern entrance. On the western side
both TANKS car be effectively protected
by the use of a comparatively limited
number of 10-inch guns.
The fact that it is not sufficient to fur
nish an adequate volume of fire, but thai
the dangers of a hostile entrance of the
canal must be multiplied to the last de-
gree, would make it necessary to cover
both mouths of the waterway with tor
pedoes. 1t is we'll known that these lit
tie instrument of warfare are capable of
inspiring a most wholesome dread in the
l HSdll VI Oil CHIEFLY, anu, DIS liz result, the
chances of being compelled to come to
close fire is minimiZed, and while the tor
pedoes could be relied upon to do their
work II necessary. the rapid fire guns
Would be able to sweep with a scathing
fire the torpedo streWn area.
In order to be sure of the capability to
keep the enemy in motion while deliver
ing his attack, which would necessarily
! diminish the accuracy of his fire, mortar
batteries would be used, and with these
weapons it would be possible to drop pro-
j~ectiles upon the decks of the enemy.
AS our 1-inch sea coast mortars fire a
1000 pound projectile a distance of five
miles the fire from this source is one that
would certainly be dreaded. In fact, the
| only way in which an attack could be
avoided would be for the fleet to keep con
tinuously in motion, and such conditions
would make it impossible for the enemy
to undertake a very accurate and damag-
ing fire. 1t matters little how large and
powerful a war vessel may be, she has
the greatest objection to being placed I'M
| der the fire Of the mortar.
According to the present plans, this
source of defense is not to be disregarded.
Two mortar batteries of sixteen pieces
each are to be emplaced, one on either
side of each end of the canal, and these
will add not a little to the power for de
Tense.
To assume from the facts already mem
toned, however. that the defense of the
great waterway is assured by the mere
installation of batteries would be to fos-
ter an incorrect theory. 1t is absolutely
necessary that all the elements of the po-
sition should work together for the one
Common end. In other words, there must
be an accurate division of labor, means
for the quick transmission of all intelli-
gence and countless other features that
appeal only to the mind of the expert OF
the student of military affairs.
If ship attacks were the only possible
danger the shore defenses would be easily
able to preserve the integrity of the wa
terway. There remains, however, tie
grave danger of a sudden descent by
small parties of picket men against som
selected spot of the canal. Shore bat