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

canal even slightly protected. According
to the plans that are being prepared. every
possible point OF attack will be fully COW
cred.
BRIGHTEN THE ENEMY.
On the western mouth OF the canal
there are no natural difficulties to be
overcome. The land is high and steep and
lends itself to military plans so easil!
that 1t would be possible to do away en-
tirely with the turret that will be one
of the most costly OF the defenses at the
eastern entrance On the western sido
both TANKS can be effecuvely protected
by til use OF a comparatively limited num-
Der of 10-inch guns.
The fact that It is not sufficient to
furnish an adequate volume OF hre, but
that the dangers of hostile entrance OF
the canal must be multiplied to the last
degree would make it necessary to cover
both mouths Of the waterway with tor
pedoes. 1t is well known that these little
INSTRUMENTS of warfare are capable OF
inspiring most wholesome dread In the
heart of an enemy, and, as the result, tina
chances OF being compelled to come TO
close fire is minimlZed, and while the tor
pedoes could be relied upon to do their
work II necessary, the rapid hre guns
would be able to sweep with scathing
fire the torpedo-strewn area.
In order TO be sure Of the capability TO
keep the enemy In motion while delivering
his attack, which would necessarily di-
minish the accuracy OF his fire. mortar
batteries would be used, and with thess
weapons it would be possible to drop pro-
jectiles upon the decks OF the enemy.
As our 12-inch sea coast mortars fire
1O00-po projectile distance OF hVe
miles the fire from this source Is one thai
would certainly be dreaded. In fact, the
only way In which an attack could BIO
avoided would be for the fleet TO Keep
I constantly in motion. and such conditions
would make 1t impossible for the enemy
to undertake a very accurate ana dam
aging fire 1t matters little how large
and powerful war vessel may be- she
has the greatest objection to being placed
under the fire OF the mortar
According to tho present plans, THIS
source of defense Is not to be dlsregarded.
/ Two mortar batteries OF sixteen piece:
each are to be employed, 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 men
toned however. that the defense. OF the
great waterway is assured by the mere
an incorrect theory II IS absolutely neces'
sary that all the elements OF the position
should work together for the one common
end. In other words there must be al
/ accurate division OF labor means for thu
ouiek transmission OF all intelligence an'
, countless other features that appeal onl!
! IN the mind OF the expert or the studen
of military affairs.
PROTECT THE LOCKS.
{ II shin attacks were the only possible
; danger the shore detenses would be easill
able to preserve the integrity OF the wa
1 terway. There remains. however, the gray
. danger Of sudden descent by sma
parties of picket men against some Sc
= lected spot of the canal. Shore batterie
4 might drive an enemy on the ssa, nu
I. they could not prevent the blowing up o
:, Incl, To meet thts danger II viii b
I necassarv 10 see that the entire length
. the canal is adequately protected, for th
!. sa-srpetiou 81 a s.1sls lock wolld max
: the entire lengsA=of the canal useless,
a There are many means OF aceomplishin
!, this object. and nearly all viii be consld
, cred In the plans. but one thing VIII
: absolutely necessary; the entire ieng'
OF the canal must be carefully patrole
|, nv a suitable fcrce-Qf infantry ana cav
a airy. and the points that are the weake.
!, IN military sense must be coverei
!, redoubts and armed with rapid-iire 81
4 machine guns.
y OF course all this will cost money
4, nresent conservative estimates place y
!. expenditure at a sum not less than s5.Vv'
= 600. ana It Is figured that u VIII rsaul