The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-17
Fortify Cape Henry,

Fortlfy cape Henry.
The ..ioint army and navy oxercIscs,
have SO far demonstrated two things
first, that searchlights are OF incalcula-
BILE value as means Of defense, and sec
ond. that the present system of mines
used by our army is far ahead Of any
system that has heretofore been oper-
Hted in actual warfare. The American
harhors are now. or soon will be, pro-
tccted by mines that are exploded either
by contact or "judgment,''' and con-
trollcd as they are from the shore, they
are not menace to friend as we'll rs
foe. In the war now In progress in the
East, both the Japanese and Russian
navies suffered heavily from loss or
wnrships blown up by their own mines.
Under the United States army system OF
mine planting this could not happen,
S for every mine is controlled from a forti-
fled position.
The exercises? have also proved that
Richmond. Norfolk, Newport News, tho
navy yard and the shipbuldng plant
are absolutely safe from the attack OF
hostile fleet OF almost any strength,
and that Hampton Ronds is a refuge for
merchant marine in times OF war. Forts
Monroe and Wool Grip Raps) control the
entrance to Hampton Roads, but that is
all. AS a protection FOR Washlngton,$
Annapolis, Baltimore, West Point and the
many thriving towns upon chesapeake
Bay, they are as powcrless as IL they
never existed
A hostile fleet under our present de-
lenses, is able to steam through tho
Capes and on towards any city on the
bay or on the rivers that empty into
it, without coming within fifteen miles
Of Fort Monroe whose great twelve-
inch guns are not effective beyond seven
miles, whose mine field does not extend
beyond onessixth of the distance and
whose great sixty-inch searchlights could
not pick up" a ship passing SO far
away.
1t may be said that the cities of the
Bay and its tributaries should be forll-t
fed. IN way this has been done, but
coast defense experts say frankly that
neither Washington or Baltimore arc ade-
Quately protected, whilo the other cities
are without defense of any sort.
They further say that If this country
were t war tomorrow there Is no reason
why "the enemy should not land forces
at any point touching on Chesapeake
Bay. Baltimore and Washington could
be bonlbarded, and, indeed, the Bay would
be a source Of endless danger TO the
country.
There is a simple remedy for this men
ace and the government has already
practically determined to apply it. For
tify Cape Henry and by means Of n
single strong defensive position. control
absolutely tho entire section approached
through the Capes.
The cry has gone up that the cost of
such a defense will run up into the
millions. but the answer is that nothing
Is cheaper than safety; nothing is more
conducive 10 prosperous peace than pre-
paredness.
The maintenance of such fort would
be nil when 1t is considered that, on
account OF It's protection, half dozen
small forts Will either be entirely aban-
doncd or reduced to nominal posts.
Ills but eleven miles from Cape 10
Cape with Il channel only four miles wide
running close TO the Cape Henry shore
Across on the Cape Charles side there is
also an UNCERTAIN channel. through which
In favorable weather and at nigh tide
a battlesh!p might pass. This channel
being permanently obairucled, sixteen
inch guns mounted at Cape Henry, ana
mine field planted IN the entrance 10
Chesapeake Bay would prove so form!da-
bio that no navy in the world would dare
attempt the passage.
Tha constructing Of this fertilization
would, II goes without saying. &c Of
great advantage in every way 10 the
Stale or Vrglnla. This 10 true, but no
less true Is 4, that Cape Henry, fortified,
VIII be an immense protection 10 the
whole country ppen!ns the whole area
touched by chesaptake Bay as supply
ha.e In timc or war,
The army board has recommended that Il