The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-12-09

sible attack from foreign enemy we
would have lookout parties and scout
ing forces so placed as to warn us in
case of likely attack. The mobile
force would be moved to the point
where the landing was to be made and
repel the attacking party. There would
of course, be field batteries for use in
this work. The ultimate idea is TO
have a regiment of infantry and two
batteries of field artillery stationed per-
manently on this island but this force
will not be sent here Immediately. The
coming of this force will largely be
dependent upon the progress of the
fortificatiOns as well as other consider
atoms.
'The policy which would be observed
in regard to this island is to have a
force of perhaps 1UvU regular troops
stationed here and then to rely to an
extent upon the local people to assist
in defending the place from attack.
You have quite an excellent regiment
here already and in addition. a force
from the other residents could be rails
ed, so that a force of about 5000 men
could be depended upon to defend the
island. In such a case of attack the
advantage must rest with the defend
ing party. There are comparatively
few places about this island where
landing parties could land successfully.
Nature has done wonders for the ISL
and in this respect. The coral reef
that surrounds this island is in itself,
a source of defence. 1t is only through
certain openings and channels in this
reef that landings of an enemy could be
accomplished Naturally it would be
at those places that the defending
forces would be stationed to repel the
nhN tn trac ha
so much in favor of the defending
party that they would probably be able
to repel a force at least five times as
great in number. Should it come down
to an academical proposition that the
defenders could repel only two for one.
it would require very extensive fleet
to bring a landing force of 5000 men to
defenders could repel only two for one,
Harbor made impregnable and such
mobile force available, this island could
be held against almost any force that
would ever attack il.
''These facts are of great interest to
the nation and especially to the people
who reside here and I consider that
they should be stated so as to enable
your people to realize the position in
which they are situated and the way
in which they are regarded from a
military standpoint.
1T is one of the most important prin-
ciples of war to have a strong point of
concentration in the center of your
adversary's positions. The Hawaiian
Islands are in precisely such position
They are the key to the Pacific. With
this place strongly held it would give
the United States a great advantage
over any enemies or combination of
enemies that might arise against her.
A nation so situated would possess an
immense advantage over any enemy
that had to operate from any particular
point of the arc of the circle of which
these islands are the center.
"On the other hand should these ISL
ands not be held their capture by an
enemy would place that advantage
with him. While we naturally con-
slider our navy strong enough to sweep
any possible attacking force from the
seas, still the island should be made so
strong as to enable our vessels If over
whelmed to seek refuge at Pearl Har-
Dor and be protected from attack. Ac-
cording to the plans, there will prob
ably be shore batteries at the en-
trance of the harbor as well as sea
batteries The system of fortifications
and batteries will protect the entire
coast on both sides of Pearl Harbor
and also protect Honolulu harbor from
attack by an enemy's feet There VIII
of course, be protective batteries on the
hanks. The object of the mobile force
would be to protect the island from at
tack by landing forces