Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-20

tee on military affairs That committee re-
ported that they had examined into the
state of preparation, naval and military,
made to receive the enemy, and are salts
fled that the preparations are, In every
respect. adequate to the emergency, and
that no measures are necessary on the part
of the House to make 1t more complete"
There is no doubt that the committee re-
ceived the information of the prepare
ton made to receive the enemy from the
War Department. 1t was the belief of the
Madison administration that the British
would not attack Washington. The Presi-
dent and the War Department did not
have a comprehensive grip on the situa-
ton. The defenselessness of Washington
and the neglect of the most ordinary pre-
caution for the safety of the city were
due, it is believed, to the understanding, or
misunderstanding, in the highest offices of
the government, that the enemy would con-
fine his depreciation to the Chesapeake
country and would limit his operations to
the regulation and control of the com
merce of those waters" All this is shown
by message which President Madison sent
to Congress July 20. 1913. five days after
the Stuart resolution, In which he recon-
mended to the consideration of Congress the
eXpedency of immediate and effectual
prohibition of exports. limited to convent
ent day In their next session and removable
in the meantime in the event of ceSsa-
ton of the blockade OF our ports.
The craftsmanship of the famous embargo
has often been questioned. There never
was a severer or more logical opponent of
the embargo than John G. Calhoun. whose
effort was strongly instrumental in bringing
about the repeal of the measure.
Following the embargo the depredations
of the British in Maryland and Virginia, all
most within modern gunshot of Washing
ton We're increased. And still the idea that
Washington might be surprised never seems
II have occurred to the administration. Not
a single measure was taken for the defense
of the capital. There was not a company of
regular soldiery in Washington, not field
piece, not company of adequately armed
or equipped militia. Fort Warburton, now
called Fort Washington, mounted few
small cannon and company of artillery
was stationed there. There were no earth
works on any of the approaches to the city
on May II, 1914 the brig Ida, from Ro-
chelle. arrived al oBSton and brought the
news that the allies had entered Paris. The
ship Fair American, from Liverpool, reached
Sandy Hook May 10, bringing the same It'd
ings The French minister at Washington
also received the news by official dspa tches
American representatives abroad advised
the State Department that several of Eng
LANDS veteran regiments had embarked on
troopships and. under convoy of Vice Ad-
miral CoChrane's fleet, had sailed for Ches-
apeake bay. Still the administration slept.
1t was not until July /, 1914 that Presi-
dent Madison called meeting of the cabi-
net to discuss plans for the defense of
Washington. Gen. Armstrong, Secretary of
War. telling of this meeting, said:
THE President, officially informed on the
Goth of June of the pacification in Europe,
and aware of the great disposable force this
event would give to Great Britain in pros
ecuting her contest with the United States
the heads of the departments and the At
torney General were convened on the LIST of