Yellowstone monitor. [volume] (Glendive, Mont.) 1905-1928, 1909-05-06
WASHINGTON LETTER

1oarn with qualification OF the thorough
nreparation being made by the mill
+arv authorities in Washington for the
.dpouate protection of the Panama
Canal. The decision Of the War De.
nartment to install 14-inch guns il
the Notifications at either end Of the
canal will especially commend itself
10 popular approval. The investiga
tons of naval authorities, not only in
this country but in Europe as well,
have satisfied them that it is impracti-
cable for battleships to carry larger
type Of weapon than the twelve-inch
rifle now being installed on the latest
American battleships. The tremen-
dous weight, not only Of the gun it
self, but of the turrets, projectiles,
and ammunition hoists, required for
14-inch guns, presents an insuperabIe
obstacle to their use on board ships,
whereas, the additional weight is not
deterrent factor on land. Of course
the 14-inch gun has materially in
creased range over the 12-inch gun,
while the two inches additional cali
bre make possible the employment Of
a far more formidable projectile, and
an enemy's ships, compelled to use
Pinch guns in offensive tactics against
batteries provided with ID inch rifles
on disappearing carriages, could make
little impression. In addition to these
powerful guns, however, the War
Department proposes to install al
thorough system of submarine mines
and a number of submarine torpedoi
boats will be commissioned and placed
under the supervision of the Coast
Defense officer commanding the canal
defenses.
The remarkable evolution of the
marine torpedo has resulted in a radi-
cal change of policy on the part of
the naval authorities of this country.
When the range of this type of torpedo
was limited to one thousand yards
American naval experts deemed it of
comparatively little value, but now
that recent inventions have increased
the effective range to five thousand
yards the naval authorities are urging
congress to provide the funds with
which to equip all battleships with a.
lull quota of these formidable project
lies These recommendations, how
ever present a serious problem TO
congress upon which has been urged
'ne great necessity of economy, for
Tie modern torpedo costs not less than
I'VE thousand dollars. The increase inI
range has been effected very largely
ny simple device which lights an
a''0nol lamp under the compartment
III winch IS stored the compressed air
"'neh furnishes the motive power, /
S0en ignition being affected at the in Fl
'safl' the torpedo is discharged from
'''' Sessei,s side. This tiny lamp SO
:. the air as to afford propel-
mug power FIVE times greater than
.a8' derived from cold air. A recent T.
:. 5s''sn invention enables ship dis
-u8Fglng torpedo to maintain COM
s's control, by means of wireless
geography, Of its direction until the
.'''iieht OF impact. Practically speak
, = me Morse system is employee,
! 'S''es Of dots detecting the torpedo
49,, s'@s00ard and a series of dashes to
r,a Inc Assistant Secretary of the
taa sasufy has approved aplan for sys-
49, ''izing designs for United States i!
no ~ ~ ana coin certificates, thus mfg
r. s si'e''lVe a scheme of uniformity !
pots s0i'tal Il and general design fol.
each ss : o. the same denomination Of
- 80 '.ass' which embodies the ideas
bank sra of the Treasury Department.
BUSINESS men and currency