The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-17

CITIES ARE UNPROTECTED Z; ! E:

4 Tiines-D Dispatch Nine Months Ago
Advocated the Plan and Urged
An Appropriation.
The rumor sent out from Baltimore
and Norfolk OF the proposed plan to
construct fort at Cape Henry, which
will. With long range guns and mines,
guard the entrance to Chesapeake Bay,
and SO protect Richmond, Newport News.
Norfolk. Baltimore. washington. iAnnapo-
/ lis and other cities on the bay and It's
tributaries, Is In direct limo with a move
mcnt begun by The Times Dispatch. for
during last June this paper told the whole
story while the army and navy mane,l-
;vers were in progress in Chesapeake Bay,
and cdltorially advocated the plan. which
means a having OF All imlnense sum an
Snually to the government.
On June 18th The Times Dispatch
printed n special from Old Point. which
said In part: Fl
can officer of high rank is authority for
the statement that behind these Joint
exercises is more than the public knows.
II has been given ont, and there Is no
doubt OF tho. truth OF the assertion, that
the occasion, Is for the practice of the
coast artillery. This is true absolutely.
but, 1t is said, the occasion goes beyond
this, in an endeavor to ascertain Just
what protection Fort Monroe Is TO the
cities of Annapolis, Baltimore and Wash
ington, and whether It is necessary to
erect powerful fort at Capo Henry.
no Ia
the meat in the cocoanut of these Joint,
army and navy exercises. no
IF Cape Henry Is fortified, lit will mean
that Virginia will gain the most splendid
artillery post in the world. and that
many millions Of dollars will be spent
within the State.
THE matter Is. of vital Importance to
the city of Norfolk, which will profit
immensely II the scheme Is carried out.
Army people are not eager to discuss the
question, but it seems to DO the opinion
OF artillery officers that there should
be a defense ut the Capes, no matter how
great the cost may be.
This is the secret reason for the
maneuvers in Hampton Roads. 3 ana il,
the Importance oft the question, at Issue
Is the reason why such absolute
secrecy is maintained and why such
strenuous activity prevails" M
Urge Further Protection.
On June 18th The TImes-D Dispatch
printed the following editorial:
The exercises have also proved that
Richmond, Norfolk. Newport News. the
ravY-yard and the shipbuildng plant are
absolutely safe from the attack of hos
tile fleet OF almost any t,strenGth, and
that Hampton Roads is a refuge for
merchant marine in fines Of war. Forts
Monroe and Woolr:,Rin Raps) control
the entrance to Hampton Roads, but THAT
is all. AS a protection for Washington,
Annapolis. Baltimore. West Point and the
many thriving towns upon Chesapeake
Bay. they are as9powerless as II they
never existed. AIR. ~
y hostile fleet, under our present dee
lenses, Is able TO steam through the
Capes and on towards any city on the
bay or on the rivers that empty into
1t, without coming within fifteen miles
OF Fort Monroe, whose great lively inch
guns are not effective beyond seven miles.
whose. mine field does not extend beyond
one-sixth Of the distance, and whose great
sixty-nch searchlights could not "pick
up a ship passing SO far away,
1t may be said hat the cities OF the
bay and its tributaries should be forth
coast defense experts say. frankly that
neither Washington or Baltimore are
adequately protected. while the other
cities are without defense OF any sort.
They further say that II this country
were at war Tomorrow there is no rea-
son why the enemy. should not land
forces at any point touching on Ches-1
/ apeake Bay. Baltimore and Washington
could be bombarded. and, indeed. the bay
would noe source OF endless danger to-
| the country. sgss..15ff5S &, 81 - ~
There is n simple remedy for this men
ace and the government has already
practically determined to apply 1t. For
tify Cape Henry and by means OF a
single strong defensive position. control
absolutely the entire section approached
through the Capes.3
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 I han safety; nothing is more
conducive to prosperous peace than pre-
| 5pardeness. s a
The maintenance OF such fort would
be nil when 1t is considered that. on
account OF its protection, half dozen
small forts will either be entirely aban-
doned or reduced to nominal posts.
| 1t Is but eleven miles from Cape to
! Cane, with q; channel only four miles
| mide running close to the Cape Henry
there is also an uncertain channel,
through which in favorable weather. and
at high tide, al battleshpH might pass.
This tchannel being permanently OBJ:
structed, sixteentincl guns mounted at
Cape Henry, and n,ne-feld planted in
the entrance to- Chesapeake Bay would
prove 30 formidable that no navy in the
world would dare attempt the passage,
The constructing OF his fertilization
would, it goes without saying, be ofgreat
advantage in every. way TO the State OF
i Virginia. This is true, but no less true
4 Is It that Cape Fl enry.. fortified. will be
an immense protection to tile Whole
country, opening the whole area touched
\ by chesapeake Bay as; al supply base
\ In time OF war. 81
The army board has commended that
tho work be done, and the matter Is nov
being carefully considered by the Score