New-York tribune., 1900-04-10
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THE NAVY GETS TORTUGAS.
AN ORDER OF GREAT IMPORTANCE u
SUED BY THE PRESIDENT.
FIRST FORTIFIED NAVAL BASE EVER POS
sEssED BY THE UNITED STATES
TO BE ESTABLISHED
iBT rrLEeRAPu TO rHE TRIBUNE ]

iBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE1
Washington. April 9-The President in
ecutive order to-day transferred from the Army
10 the Navy the island OF Dry Tortugas. which
viii hereafter be used exclusively for naval pur-
poses. The Acting Secretary OF the Navy I'm
mediateIy issued orders to the contractors for
the extensive coaIing station now under con-
struction the island to continue the prepara-
tons for their work throughout the coming sum-
mer, revoking earlier orders which had author
lied them TO suspend operations in the quaran-
tine season
The Marine Hospital Service. which has had
foothold at Tortugas for several years. viii with
draw its force to Ship Island and other points
less valuable strategicalIy.
The imp rtance of the Presidents order may
prove more far reaching than appears super
icially- 1t establishes the first fortified naval
base under exclusive naval control pos
sessed by the United States and for the frsr
time the responsibility OF holding and defending
an American land fertilization is given 20 The
Navy. At Guantanamo. ii is true. the naval
force held the harbor Indispensable naval
rendezvous by its battalion Of marines when the
Army could spare no force for that purpose The
conditions at Tortugas are somewhat analogous
and may be regarded the first distinct step
toward the eventual adoption Of the highest
European system of coast defence
THE GIBRALTAR OF THE GULF"
At Tortugas, Fort Jefferson. which was fully
illustrated IN The Tribune several weeks ago is
one Of the largest fortifcations ever constructed
by this Government. Its guns obsolete but
with some repairs and with high power naval
ordnance mounted this Gibraltar OF the Gulf
could be converted into vast immOvable and
practically impregnabe battleship the flagship
of a fleet that would command the lower At
lantic seaboard the Gulf coasts and the ap-
acha 70 rEo 81 hv
battalion of marines it will be. with cable
communication with Washington and all points
OF the West Indies its tactical value 10 the feet
is regarded as Of paramount Importance
This view, which is now general among naval
officers was advanced by Admiral Bunce the
beginning OF the with Spain. when the
Army was unwilling TO provide garrison for
the defence Of the place The Admiral. who
stands high as a strategst. at that time wrote to
Admiral Bradford who has charge OF all such
matters. follows:
Tortugas is important from a naval rather than
from a military point OF view. Difference OF opn-
viewed from the standpoints above stated. and
nesessariiy so as the military army view is con
tons and forces with which II is familiar Tae
the forces TO be considered and for which defence
is to be provided on our coasts are naval the nayal
power OF the attack and OF the great importanee
from which he can harass the commercial or in
dustriaI interests of the country. The military
view provides fOrtidcations 70 defend point or
locality; the naval seeks receive the attack al
points from centres OF population and com
mercial importance. and there force the enemy 70
expend his strength without distur6ance 70 tns
New-York for example. are. with one exception.
within the limits of the city itself. and some OF
them near its geographical centre
The divergence of views, referred 70 above has N
Europe resulted in cOnfding the defence Of the
coasts Germany entirely TO the navy, IN France
every gun covering the or entrance channels
is in charge of the navy. In England the transfer
of all seacoasI defences is now under consider
alton.
The main argument for this IS that the naval
officer alone knows the powers and defensive
capabilities of the enemy to be met by these coast
fortifcariOns. and therefore the defence Is
positive and direct than If commanded by any
Unfamiliar with the and the handling and fight
ing of naval forces second IL that the naval
men must professionally know the harbors and
their approaches, the influences of the wind.
weather currents and tides naval movements.
and when the defence includes a naval force a IL
is do. the whole Will be under single
control
In my opinion. If the Army declines 10 fortify and
hold TOrtugas IL should strategic necessity, De
fortified. manned and held by the naval forces
OF the North Atlantic Station