The Washington times., 1904-07-03

on the western slope. while the heat Is
dissipated- When the air currents at
last succeed in crossing the mountain
chain they are dry and cold. with nc
nourishment to bestow. That's why the
country finds It necessary 20 spend nnIi-
Hons IN irrigation.
''The economic value Of such a eli
matte change is practically inestimabie.
II would spread a mantle of luxuriant
vegetation a thousand miles inland and
add millions-perhaps hundreds OF mil
lions-to the value OF the agricultural
products Of the United States
"a great mountain range TO the north
would proz=-.y affect the cold waves
that swoop down on the Western States
from that direction. How great the ef-
feet would be Il Is hard to say. but some
protection would unquestionably be fur
nished. While the cold waves Of great
est intensity would stln find their way
south. others would probably be retarded
and kept near to the points OF their
origin"
The maker Of mountains was not in
the fertilization business and probably
did not dream OF the restless days and
sleepless nights he was about to give to
British and American strategists when
he planted the Rockies IN a north and
south line. where they proved an almost.
insuperable barrier to railroad engi--
neers.
With the Rockies planted along the
northern border of the United States a
few thousand high school graduates
would doubtless have taken Beyond the
Rockies Lies Canada" for their grad
uating Grafton text. and the Alps would
have been allowed to lie IN obscurity.
Napoleon crossed the Alps. Hannibal
was successful IN leading armies through
dangerous mountain passes, and Araeri-
can and British officers would doubtless
have led armies through the Rockies
had they been placed in the country
where the forces Of the two nations have
met. No mountain chain is formidable
enough to prevent the advance OF an
army, but mountains like the Rockies
are almost impossible for a large force.
Their location on the northern boundary
Of the United States would be balm 70
the nerves OF Irish-Americans who fear
an English invasion, and would quiet
the fears Of Canadians who apprehend
trouble as the result OF the colonization
OF British Columbia by staIwart citizens
of the United States.
Even the Fenians would not have been
adventurous enough TO attempt an in
vasion of Canada had Pixies Peak been
dropped down on the Canadian shore
somewhere near Buffalo. Civilized man
shares the ignorant East Indians fear
OF a great mountain and a wild stream
and win seldom make any attempt TO
shake off the awe of nature which Is
implanted in his breast
with a less friendly power than Eng
land in control OF the country north Of
US. the open border would be the source
OF constant trouble" said a prominent
army strategist. "Of course, the day is
over when nations erect forts along their
borders and expect their enemies 10
come 20 the forts before attempting 10
give battle. A modern army can make
its way across any border. regardless |
OF the obstruction II offers. but a noun |
tain chain like the Rockies is a great |
obstacle to the movement Of troops and |
would simplify the defense Of the border /
ITO a general leading a large army, |
he Rocky Mountain system would offer /
The same difficulties which railroad en-
sineers had to overcome Bridger
long and patiently before he
'ound the pass through which the
Union Pacific runs. The search for the
asses through which the Northern Pa
;ihc and the Santa Fe cross the CON
mental divide was equally difficult The
Rockies afford so few good passes that
few forts could be placed TO excel
ent advantage. and would greatly limit
he possibility of INVASION
Canadian policemen guard the south
I'm boundary OF the great dominion
lorth of us, but the United States has
lone little TO protect its border. The
sreat Lakes offer a barrier 20 any foe
hat might seek 10 march into this
ountry from the north. by way of the
Eastern and Middle Western States.
5ut the northern boundary OF North
Dakota. Montana, and Washington. the 4,