The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-13

m spite OF the fact that the great Mica
Es canal has yet to be dug and that
b question OF defending 1t or permitting
to remain practically unprotected. las
1t yet been settled, the experts on ord
anu and fortifications Of both war and
by departments are already hard at
olk preparing plans of defense that will
submitted to congress at the first
yorahle opportunity.
While these plans have not yet been
tarked out in detail and will not be fully
prepared for several weeks. the outlines
As scheme have been semi-officlally
nrouncad. so that It is now possible for
3udsnts Of military affairs to gain
Pretty good idea Of the form of defense
Pat has been decided upon by the gov
8'nmental experts.
& All the expert opinions that have yet
Pen given agree in one point, and that Is
the canal is to be fortified the defenses
fus! extend from one end to the other.
Sot only must the two entrances to the
waterway be guarded to secure 1t against
purely hawai- attacks, but its whole length
nust Do protected in order to Offset am
tacks that might possibly DO made by
anding parties.
ui course, IN such an instance the ques-
ION Of neutrality would enter In, but tna'
Fould be a matter to be decided after the
Far was over, and In the meantime the
opposing nations might obtain the greatest
Posslole advantage over us by gaining
possession OF the canal. AS the result, Il
agreed that IL the canal is to be forti-
~ Il must be done thoroughly.
" the two entrances to the canal the
western mouth Is the one that can h
Eos easily fortified. and 1t will be soms
|shal difficult problem 10 construct suite-
ny y, aeienses at the eastern entrance. Al
as point the land is low and swamp.
" several miles from the shore, ana tn
|.s..y NILS that offer natural commanding
,l's are 80 far inland that they would h.
|maeucally useless II feet should com
ll y. It's work Of bombardment couple
mies out at sea. Despite this, how
NJ the problem Is one that can b,
The EASTERN DEFENSE.
'ne only way out OF the difficulty vii
'ne construction OF artificial iounda
\, A' At the proper position, and Will
Z" work will cost an immense sum O
-S4'y' II can be accomplished withou
@uOa trouble. II It is decided to FORTH
~ canal, therefore, It can safely be sal
70. me eastern defense Will BIO built upo
sranp. 'N 'n' VIZ
NE II Is more than probable. will b
Pm. ea some thirty-f1ve guns. ten lare
NJ ana some twenty-five rapld-hr
!, ~ owing 10 the nature OF the groun
. .als point it is also quite probable this
,n0,s fet to contain two 16-inch guns
ssud be erected short distance south
y. at Greytown.
.nese situations were taken 1t woul
~ VISIBLE for fire to be delivered upo
=, anchorage held by the enemy, or upo
Nv waters that he might choose to occ'
tD,, .nue In action. II to the north OF Il
ssbs should be placed a battery
H., iV-ineh guns, on disappearing ca
ssss' i would be possible to eifectuai
d, ~ 'ne neld In front, and, with the a.
i,rr,sss guns from the turret, deliver
., ho SS cross fre upon any close approa'
hostile vessels
.. aas already been stated. the defen
lexs western mouth Of the canal Is
ule'ilt problem. and can, natural
1spss,, mplished at a much smaller e.
''lS II OF money,
O. aaaRion 10 all this, thS position ltss
an, 10, important one is from I
an ksrScean that attacks would natr
fo,s, fos, and II is doubtful IL, in case
sp5ss car, any considerable feet Won
ipra the Pacific waters.
"a Z. IS. however, will not be sunicie
~ ade the experts that II would
leave the western mouth OF :