New-York tribune., 1901-02-20
PLEA FOR NEUTRAL CANAL
COLONEL HAMS ARGUES THAT FORTI-
FLED WATERWAY WOULD BE
SOURCE OF WEAKNESS.

Philadelphia, Feb. 10 CspeciaD.-"The 18TH
milan CanaI' the subject of discussion at
meeting CT the American Academy of Political
and Social Scielce this evening Professor
Emory r. Johnson. of the University of Penn
sylvania, a member OF the Canal Commission.
talked on THE Economic Aspects OF the 18th
Hian Canal Question" and Colonel Peter C.
Hams. of the Army. in address THE
lsthmian Canal from a Military Point of
View argued that fortified canal would be
source Of weakness rather than OF strength 10
this country. In summing up his views Colonel
Hams said
States presupposes that passage Of it, through il
and from 1t is assured. But passage TO or from It
IN case of with a strong naval Power could
only be maintained by a strong naval force. If the
canal bristled with guns from one end TO the other
a powerful hostile Zoe dominated the Caribbean
VIII, in time Of war. control passage through the
canal no matter which one has possession.
The canal will be located in a region that is prac-
6i sieialy 1i uq1inhabed few TesOlute could dis
of being temporarily disabled is a serious even
IN war with a weak naval Power. The destruction
pshed With a few pounds Of dynamite would bring
about , a total suspension of navigation for an In
USEFULNESS EASILY DESTROYED.
Suppose France owned controlled and managed
the Suez Canal; what advantage would she derive
from its being fortihed in case OF war with Great
Britain? Simply that Of being able to deny its use
10 Great Britain. a negative benent the value OF
which is more than doubtful The canal would
become military outpost. impossible to reinforce
unless the British Mediterranean heet could De
fleets might be somewhat delayed, but that is all
cisive Great Britain. in control OF the Mediter-
ranean and Red seas would control the approaches
and though she could not send her fleets
through IT, she could effectually prevent France
from reaching IT, France would thus be placed in
value TO herself. that she could neither abandon
without loss Of prestige make her hold
secure reinforcements
The same would hold rue with reference 10 an
American Isthmian canal in a between the
United States and Great Britain. Perhaps Great
Britain could not capture the canal She might
not wish to- but by blOckading II she could de-
stroy its usefulness 10 the United States.
MILITARY VALUE OF THE CANAL.
From military standpoint the canal is valuable
no other value 1t does not serve as a good base
9f operations in war with strong naval Power.
II occupies no threatening position in with
Great Britain. No prudent naval commander
Mould Mould n hold meet IN Ia Lake NeadaEna or Lake
has sometimes been suggested. II enemy be
dangers of being @ bottled uP are too great The
canal is simply link in chain OF communication
II as you will. the weak link in a war with
he transported across the continent by rail,
communication il Is badly located when considered
IN q var with superior naval Power Instead OF
of defence. il is out beyond the skirmish line
THE QUESTION OF DEFENCE.
An adequate defence Of fortified Isthman canal
Gsn be - aGs IN no oSer Wy ~ Snap Py al
either terminus With such a navy at our com
number ~ battleships. cruisers. etc. would be
necessary 70 accomplish this end we DO not Zee ieeI
experts to determine.
Suppose. on the other hand. the canal were neu-
traI II would then become a prize uf wsT
Neither the maintenance Of army to protect y
nor ~ fleet 70 keep open communication with it
would be necessary Great Britain might possibly
send ships through IT, but even that .s doubtful
The most hat could be galned oy 1Sing 80
might be an important matter But the naval % pre- pre-,
would oe of less importance to her than 70 US 1t
Is scarcely probable that II would ever De so I'M I'M
OF sending fleet through a canal under American
control ,, -, -, 4. - -.
value to the United states than 10 other ma,
tion- To keep II and the approaches open az an
ment But no amount OF fortincations along the
line Of the canal will afford safe passage 10 snip
across the Caribbean sea
NEUTRAL WATERWAYS ADVISABLE
1t Is believed. I'm consideration OF the freedom Of
the canal extended by the United States TO the
ships OF al nations those nations w"nid agree 70
and large OF the sea at each terminus should
larger these areas ~ neutrality the better But In
view OF the benefits 20 mankind which the United
canal there ought to be no serious difficulty IN
securing areas OF the bounded by OF cir
cles described with radii OF say one hundred miles
or more. Should such agreement be violated
by any nation that is IS a party ., 70 H. the United
20 render II impossible OF being used against
use the canal for any other than peaceful pur-
poses Of commerce and as she probably would
way II Is not why such agreement might
not he made. How such status OF the canal and
statecraft TO settle. The object OF the foregoing
remarks is 10 endeavor to show that neutral
terminus is. I'm the existing status of the naval
1 T~vfta Cfafaa mill