The Washington herald., 1906-12-17
TAUGHT BY JAPAN
Science OfAttack and Defense
Shown by Recent War.
COAST DEFENSE IS URGENT
The Hitting Capacity of the Big
Guns and the Precision of Our
lions Asked for HarbOr Search
IfEhts-Mines Indispensable.

II is significant that in many Of the
official reports issued from the War and
Navy Departments this fall certain
phases of Japan's operations against Rus
STA are shown to be constantly in the
minds of our war officers.
This is true of the chief of artillery,
who. IN his annual report just made pub
lie, impresses on Congress the imperative
necessity of completing the elaborate sys-
TEN OF coast defense.
Speaking Of the esta blishment of a rapid
and accurate range-finding system, estl-
mated to cost over $S.OOO,OO0, attention is
called to the results of the naval battle
between Japan and Russia in the Tushima
Straits.
With this illustration before US" the
report continues. there can be no pos
sible excuse for a failure TO provide ev-
cry means for the development Of the hit
ting capacity Of these guns and mortars
to the greatest possible extent"
Powerful Military searchIights.
The estimated cost of searchlights nee
essary for the gun defense Of all fortified
haTbors Of the United States is placed at
a little less than 100000 las it would
take several years TO manufacture these
necessary lights, were funds for their
purchase available now" the report says.
the necessity for an appropriation to
cover their purchase IS apparent"
The report next touches upon the recent
war in emphasizing the value of sub
marine mines as an element of harbor
defense. The terrible destruction wrought
by submarines at Port Arthur and other
places is noted. II is estimated that a
little more than $3.5eo,OO0 will be required
to complete the present system.
When il is considered" says the re-
port, that If the mine defense Of the
country Is thus completed the navy
would be comparatively free TO perform
its true function of seeking the enemy
at sea, unhampered by the thought Of
poorly protected harbors at home, Il Will
be apparent that this completion should
be accomplished at the earliest possible
moment
More than this, we cannot afford 20
wait for war before completing our mine
defense. but must be prepared before
hand. for. unless we are thus prepared
no amount Of money made available at
the outbreak of the war could procure
mine material in time TO be Of service in
mine defense against an active. enterpris-
ing enemy. If confronted suddenly by
war. only such mine material as is on
hand can be utilized for immediate mine
defense and if any essential part Of the
mine system is lacking the whole mine
defense must fail
Fear of Sudden Attack,
If tie enemy is aggressive. an attack
on a harb0r may even precede a formal
declaration of war, as was the case in
the attack on Port Arthur in February.
1904 To meet such an emergency, the
complete mine equipment Of every har-
Dor to be mined should be kept on hand.
ready TO be planted. and Il should be
made possible 10 mine effectively every
harbOr within forty-eight hours
The total estimated cost OF completing
the defense Of all insular ports is SleS73, -
S95. which includes almost 10000 for
ammunition.