The Monte Vista journal., 1907-07-13

Natsonat Legislature to Organize
Defense with Great FiotiIla Of Tor.
psdo Boats-Assertsd That Such
Engines Would Mean "Liberty Of
the seas"-pemonstartion Of Their
Power.
New York.-Prophecy rests in every
line Of book yellowed by century
In which are set forth the views of
Robert Fulton on the submarine war
fare Of the future. Attention has been
called to the old volume just at the
time. when tests OF under.sea craft
are in progress. under the direction
Of the United States navy. Hardly
an element exists OF the art Of attack
and defense now used in that warfare
beneath the waters but was recog-
nized by the genius to whom the
achievements Of steam navigation are
due.
Coincident with the celebration OF
the centenary OF the day on which
Robert FultOn's first steamship trav-
ersed the waters Of New York harbor
his almost clairvoyant insight is veri
fed. The volume in which he out
lines his plans is entitled Torpedo
Wsr and Submarine Explosions. by
Robert Fulton. Fellow Of the American
Philosophical Society and OF the Unit
ed States Military and Philosophical
Society"
1t was printed in 1910 In this city
by William Elliott. Of No. ia Water
street. On the title page. serving as
= text are the words The Liberty Of
the Seas VIII BE the Happiness Of the
Earth
Not only did the inventor foresee
practically all that would GOMEZ pass
In warfare. but by 4 hundred years he
anticipated the arguments which are
now being made by the advocates Of
peace against the use OF the subma-
rine vessels.
Were he here to-day face to face
with the members Of The Hague peace
conference he would be In . position
to meet every argument which they
might make against employing craft
which, by sending out torpedOes. deal
out death unseen.
To Prssidsnt Madison.
His pamphlet Is In the form Of an
uaofmcial report directed To James
Madison. president Of the United
States. and ITO the members Of both
houses OF congress- In It's opening
pages Mr.. Fulton invites them to fol-
low the origin and progress Of torpedo
warfare In order that they might form
. correct judgment Of the propriety Of
adopting II ~ q means Of our national
Defense"
He speaks frankly Of the difncultiex
and embarrassments which he had
undergone and gives the Impression
that be realises that the campaign for
the adoption Of such method Of war
faro Will Be besst with obstacles of
every kind.
Although he does not mention II In
this work. he never was able to put
Into practice the far.reachinG schemes
for the building U submarine boats
which he had in mind. His protO.
type of the craft which are now BE-
Ing tested was called the Nautilus. II
vas refused In turn by the govern.
n,ents Of the United States. OF Great
Britain and Of France.
- believe that Il IL generally known
that endeavored for many years to
get torpedoes introduced into practice
10 France and England" he writes.
which. though unsuccessful. gave me
The opportunity Of making numerous
very Interesting experiments on =
large scale. by which ! discovered er.
rors In the combinations Of the ms-
chinery and methods Of liking the tor.
pedoes to 4 ship. which errors In the
machinery have bes.n corrected. and I
believe ! have found means Of attach.
Ing the torpedOes to 4 vessel which |
will seldom fail Of success. II 10 the |
result Of my experience which now
submit to your consideration. and.
hoplng you will feel interest In my In
veatioa. I bsg for your deliberate ~.
rusai and reflection" ...
Desuitory efforts to nse torped0es In |
ssval warfare had been made ~ early
% The sixteenth century. but NO mill.
tasy or naval authorities even . hun.
,1vUd years ago believed II woulA ~
dusibie To Introduce so irregular =
plan Of go Aghting.
ot,hls Pirst Experiment. %
Robert Fulton was working In Hng.
lasd .under the patronage Of two no.
biemsn when. after much nesotiation.
- Induced some Of the authorities to