The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-01-17
CONTEST
BETWEEN
WARRIERS
Annual ManeuYerS of Army
and Navy
Authorities Desire Their
Change to Faciflc Coast

AhA "eNNhPJ 10 bSlhb luaut W nave
the government hold the great annual
.maneuvers between the army and the
navy on the Pacific coast next year.
1t was learned at the Preside that
the Secretary of War and the Secre-
tary Of the Navy are to be communi-
Gated with In regard to the matter
and a request, backed by what are
deemed excellent reasons is too be
made that these officials order the
great mimic war to take place off the
coast of California. Army officers
here are enthusiastic over the propo-
sition, and will do everything in their
power to bring the matter to a sue
cessful issue. AS to the final outcome
Of these efforts, no one is prepared TO
say. To break in upon the traditions
of former years and ask the depart.
ments that the scene Of this great
event be shifted from the Atlantic to
the Pacific seaboard may cause Sc
we're shocl; TO the conservative East.
That is what officers out at the Pre-
sidio most fear when the fact Of their
request becomes generally known.
In speaking Of the matter an artil-
lery captain said that from a utill-
tartan standpoint this coast offered
great advantages. while II might
not be fair to state that no other sec.
ton is so admirably suited for the
maneuvers," he continued, Still none
can offer greater advantages than can
the Pacific coast The fortifcatlons
on this side are ideal for the purposes.
What a splendid and spectacular af.
'air Il would be to have the fleet at.
tempt to enter the Golden Gate or to
reduce the forthcations guarding 1t.
The navy would have an excellent
chance to make an attempt to dash
into the harbor under the cloak OF fog
that often envelopes the Golden Gate.
Great Aid to Army and Navy.
These maneuvers last ten days
and are the greatest lesson ever given
10 the army and navy The event OF
last year was of immense practical
benefit The officers and men are out
for ten days and nights with the guns,
and are called upon TO meet conditions
almost identical 10 those that would
arise during a time OF actual warfare
Indeed, some OF the officers engaged
in last years events told me that so
real were the situations that they ac.
tually forgot for the time being that
they were participating in a sham
battle.
But the maneuyers would probably
not be confined to the locality about
the entrance tothe harbor OF this city.
Tho army might be called upon TO de-
fend other strategic points. Giving
the feet a wider scope. failing In any
way TO endanger the city Of San Fran.
CISCO II might sail away south 10 San
Diego and endeavor to reduce the
Notifications at that point, and thus
break the chain of coast defenses,
Then, too. il would be necessary to
strongly guard the entrance to the
mouth Of the Columbia river The
feet might decide TO go north and re
iuce the fortiflcations there.
with all these interesting possibil
tiles in the way of problems TO be
worked out. and with the added fact
of the excellence OF the defenses all
along the Pacific coast I think there
Is good grounds to hope that the
officials will take favor.
able action on the request We have
1 very important military station here
and in tinme OF actual hostilities II
would be most likely that an enemy's
ieet would operate on this coast. as
soon as. or before. they would attempt
anything on the Atlantic side. or
course. this Is a prize worth striving
or. and many sections on the At
antic coast will do much to win IL,
,ut II the people at large are enthusi'
sstic II seems to me that we have an
wan chance to win"