The Washington times., 1907-01-28

Lack OF adequate coast defense 10 hold
at bay the waTEhips OF any OF the great
ratlons OF the world. has come TO be the
cause OF considerable feeling Of IN
rest in the army, and on the part OF
State Department officials Ofielals OF
the War Department. including Score
tary Taft and the chief Of artillery
have besOught Congress for two years
for appropriations 10 strengthen the
defenses OF the nation, with the result
that only a small part OF that which
they think IS really needed is promised.
The President himself has brought tie
matter before Congress without the de-
sired result
A striking article showing the IN
preparedness OF this country against for
eign ships OF war, demonstrating that
New York. and Other great harbors OF
the country might be easily entered ana
portraying the dangers 10 which the
indifference of Congress has subjected
the country. appears in the current
number OF RidgWay's. 1t IL written by
William n. siasOn. Washington repre-
sentative OF the Army and Navy Jour
nal, and a recognized authority on
military matters. produces some start
ling facts and diyuiges much surprising
information as TO the weakness or the
American harbOT defenses. which the
War Department officials have endeAV-
ored 70 keep from the knowledge or
foreign nations
Fleets Pass New YOTk's Forts.
According to SIR. Mason, II would be
easy for the powerful feet Of an ener-
getie enemy 70 get into the haTDor OF
nearly any one OF the principal elites
on either the Atlantic or Pacific coast
The fact that the vessels OF the navy OF
the United States. In joint maneuveTs.
have managed TO run by the forts
guarding the entrance TO Long Island
sound, without even theoretically being
sent 70 the bottom, thus laying open
comparatively easy way into New YORK
harbor, Is known 20 nearly every ar
tulerv officer, he declares Attempts
have been made 10 keep these facts q
secre, and the uselessness OF such a
policy has only recently become ap-
parent.
The striking development in warfare
shown by the struggle between Japan
and Russia is the submarine, yet the
United States possesses neither mines
nor miners. This dangerous situation
has recently been dicovered by repre-
sentatives IN Congress from the Pacific
coast. since there has appeared 10 be a
possibility that Japan might In the not
far distant future become hostile 20 the
United 5ta,es.
with sublime faith in the invulner-
ability az our military and naval forces.
which always has characterized our
people, the true situation with regard
10 tie sea-coast defenses Of the c0uu-
try Is not known 70 one man In q thOus-
ana Mr.. Mason says The fact that
should war suddenly occur tie country
would be caught with 40 mines FOR the
harbors and only a sufficient number Of
trained artillerists 20 man one-third OF
the big guns and mOTtars already en-
placed, Is a matter which may only be
IealiZed a hen IL Is too late and may
entail the loss OF one OF more Of the
big coast cities and temporarily paralyze
The entire country.
with perfect confidence that no one
having knowledge OF the situation viii
be forthcoming with a denial, the asseF-
ton Is made here that there IS no rea-
son today why a powerful and ener-
gctic enemy could not toss shells from