The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-22
Congress Will Be Asked to Put
FOrtifcatiOns in Repair
at Once
War Department in Special Re-
port Urges Immediate
Action in Matter
Declares Oriental Power"
Could Invade Country, Using
San Pedro as Base
Big Guns and Forts for UnprO-
tected HarbOr Sought by
Army Staff
s. DC % The CeIIl


XVTAsHrNGrON' Jan. Alt !" un-
w deri'ood that tomorrow the
w WAR department. viii send to
congress n special report urg-
ing that all the coast defenses of the
Pacific cOast from san Diego north be
put IN effective repair. If this report
proves true il will be regarded as an
unusual proceeding in time of peace.
A report calling for an immediate
appropriation Of $3.655,OO0 for fortify-
ing san Pedro harbor was sent to
congress today by the general staff
II the army. Coming as it does when
there is more. or less talk Of possible
trouble with Japan it is considered TO
be almost sensational in its insistence
Cor early action and in its conclusions
that unless san Pedro be fortified an
enemy might take the harbor and use
IL for a base of operations against the
entire Pacific coast and the Panama
canal The report distinctly mentions
"a certain oriental power" without Civ
ing the name OF that poweEsg
Gould Land Arm.
The report says that. unfortified as
ii is, san Pedro offers an excellent
opportunity for an enemy to operate
against the Pacific coast
Recent study discloses the eact,"
says the report. that. assuming there
was no effective naval opposition, a
certain oriental power could. within a
month Of the time its hostile inten-
tions began to be even strongly sus-
pected Ia formal declaration of war
would 10 doubt come good deal Iater)
land on our Pacific coast an expedi-
tion of an estimated maximum Of about
100000 men; and that such a force
could be augmented by the end of two
months more 10 total OF possibly
100000. The case with which San
Pedro lsrbor unfortifed. and through
il the entire Los Angeles country could
be seized, is apparent"
The report lays stress upon the rich
ness Of the country adjacent to the
harbor and declares that it could sup
port a population of 10000 600. 1t is
pointed out that Unalaska or Pearl
Harbor, both OF which could be seized
by the enemy from the orient" are
within striking distance of san Pedro.
Good Base for Enemy
1T is apparent that so far as location
p Is concerned" continues the report.
san Pedro would be a good base for
an enemy to operate against our Pa
cifc coast"
That it would be practically impos-
-sible for the United States to regain
possession Of the country after its
occupation by the enemy is pointed out
j. and maps are submitted TO bear out
this claim
Without fortilcation." adds the re-
port every addition TO the existing
breakwater. every increase in the width
and depth OF the inner harbor and
every improvement in the wharf and
railroad facilities is just so much pro-
vision for the enemy TO take possession
and TO maintain himself in such pos
session"
Defense Is Urged
Reference is had to a report made
by what is known as the Taft coast
defense board Of 1905. and in this con
nection the report says:
"rhe changed conditions since the
Taft board report that now render the
fortihcation OF San Pedro harbor i'm
perative may be summed up as fol-
lows:
Il. The development of San Pedro
harbor.
y. The great potential strength as
an enemy which a certain oriental
power has recently acquired.
LAS an additional argument in round
ing out this report. it may be stated
that the suggestive effect. Of public dis
cussion Of war contingencies upon the
Pacific coast has undoubtedly been to
provoke international antagonism of
the gravest character.
Adequate fortihcations at San Pedro
would certainly remove one now con-
spicuous cause Of that kind of agitation
that leads to unfortunate discussion OF
our foreign relations. and it would
thereby promote that appearance Of
friendliness which the United States
desires - ,>4ADtsla toward it's neigh
b