The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-03-09
ROOSEVELT URGES
COAST DEFENSES
President Sends a Special
Message TO Congress for
Consideration.
NEED A BIG ARMAMENT
He Says Toso's Victory in Recent War
Was Due Largely to the Effective
Coast Defenses of the Jap
anese Government.

aneSe government.
Washington, d. c., March 7.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt sent q message to con-
gress yesterday accompanying plans
for coast defense prepared by a joint
board OF army and navy officers In
which he emphasized the necessity
for further defenses. n reviews the
history Of the defensive works in
this country. The president calls es-
pecial attention to the recommendation
of the board that the entrance to
Chesapeake bay be added to the list OF
places in the United States to be de-
Tended. He says the insular possessions
cannot be longer neglected If the United
States desires to hold them.
DefenSeS are recommended for Manila
bay, Pearl harbor, Guantanamo. Guam.
San Juan and Honolulu because of their
strategic locations. Defeases are rec
commended for entrances to the panama
The message says:
Our coast defenses. as they existed IN
1860, were not surpassed i'll efficiency by
those of any country, but within a few
years the Introduction of rified cannon and
arInor in the navies of the world. against
which the smooth bore guns We're prac-
ticaly useless, rendered them obsolete.
For many years no attempt was made to
remedy the deficiencies of the sea coast
Notifications. There was no establish
ment in the country equipped for the man
ufacture Of high power rit 1f guns s. I y ere
Tense, and congress was reluctant to un.
dertake a work the cost Of which could
not be $ stated ! t.s,. even M, ap pro and f fae
as could be observation-disclosures the eX-
perimental stages.
lauds Recent Inventions.
The president then tells of the organ
ization IL report of the gun foundry
board" under the act of March, 1889. and
later Of the reports of the Endicott board,
organized under an act approved March
8, 1855. and shows where later improve
ments in gunmaking and in explosives
rendered necessary many changes in these
recommendations.
The president calls attention to many
Of the changed conditions under which the
work of fertilization must now be carried
on. and adds:
These considerations have led me to APP
point a Joint board of officers Of the army
a X " and no sn nes0 mobiIe to erp domam neb.
marine mines and all other defensive APP
pliances that may be necessary to COM
economical and advantageous expendi-
lures of money!" III board was further
Instructed Ito extend Its examinations SO
ns to include estimates and recommends
tons relative to the defenses Of the insu-
lar possessions and to recommend the
order IN which the proposed defenses shall
NC CoAAp1clSu EO lldl dlI Tie eleIneDtS OF
harbor defense may be properly and ef-
fectively co-ord.nated.'"
The board has completed its labors. and
Its report, together with a letter of trans
initial by the secretary Of war, is here
with transmitted for the Information OF
the congress.
Need of Fertilization.
The president mentions the new points
considered In need of fortAca,ions and
says:
,n Inc NECESSITY for a comEplete and ade-
today than twenty wears ago, for the in
creased wealth OF the country offers more
host3la f1ee an dsn rneas II to attack, and a
shorter period OF time. The fact thct we
now have a navy does not In any wise
but, on the contrary. that fact emphasizes
their value and necessity for their con-
struetion. 1t is an accepted naval maxim
vantage only when acting on the offensive.
and 1t can be free to so operate only when
our coast defense Is reasonably secure, and
so recognized by the country.
IT was due to the securely defended con-
clifton of the japanese ports tina the
Japahese fleet was free TO seek out and
f1eet-without fear OF interruption or recall
to guard Its home ports against raids by
me me n naidiv ,ook ,s squadron This; one of
IN the east, is worthy of serious considera-
tionby our country, with its extensive coast
lAI1S, I many important Qar0OrS and Its
many wealthy manufacturing coast cities.
The security ard protection of our inter
ests REQUIRE the completion of the defenses
merits and shoul receive the generous
support of the congress.
The Cost as Estimated.
In his letter transmitting the report
of the board to the president Secre-
tary Taft says the board estimates the
cost of completing the defenses at
$s0 $40 200 ny 900 COG COG lo.c ,Ln, .h1
sum proposed by the Endicott board.
The secretary says the growth of
the country, the improvements in the
ordinance and the increase in the navy
In the past two years have brought a
Encouragement of and additions TO the
board. The changes that have taken
place In the system Of defense have
been SO radical, he says, that the one
proposed in 1886 is not comparable
with the scheme as it exists today
The estimates for the ports added
since the Endicott board made its re-
port, Including Chesapeake bay. are as
follows:
Eastern entrance to Long Island
sound, Including $2.946,55 already ex-
pended, ss.021,2 63: Port Royal. already
expended. $132.1o1; Tampa. including
Puget sound. including s~4,2so.9l5 al
ready expended, $4,000, 1854; Chesa-
peake bay. $6.102,S71.
He estimates the cost for the defense
Of the insular possessions, including the
naval bases and coaling stations, at
SIG, $40, 1896, in addition to the $2,254,-
$50 already appropriated. The esti-
mated cost for the d~efenses on the
tsthmian canal. exclusive of the cost of
land, is $4,8B7,6S2.
Several Points Exposed.
The letter OF Secretary Taft sum
marizes a report of the board which
accompanies the message. "A consid-
cradle part of the report is devoted to
the necessity for defenses in the insu-
lar possessions and h isthmian ports.
NOR nAMMnMI InAnrna