Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-22
Will Be Fertilization Of
San Pedro Harbor
In View Of Its Edsiness Of
Access by an Enemy.
A Matter Bearing Directly on Our
Relations With 0rientals.

recently President Roosevelt sent to
Congress a report by the general staff
of the army, which became public to-
day recommending Notifications for
San Pedro harbor, California, was
made the basis for suggestions that
such decision was reached lately in
view of possible trouble with Japan.
At the war department this inference
was given a most explicit denial. There
it was said that the general subject
of the Improvement of San Pedro har-
Dor had been under consideration more
than two years, beginning before there
was any thought of any dispute be-
tween the United States and Japan.
1t was taken up as natural military
problem involving the necessary pro-
lection Of the Southern California
coast from foreign invasion and with
out reference to any particular couh-
try or enemy. The defence OF San
Pedro was considered just as import
ant as any harbor on the Pacific or
Atlantic coast would be, it was eX-
planned.
The report shows that the general
staff made a most comprehensive study
of the whole question of the necessity
for adequate Notifications at San
Pedro. analysing in detail the posi-
bilities of the use of the place as -
naval base and the landing of an army
by an enemy and at the same time
pointing out the well-nigh impregna-
bility of an enemy in the Los Angeles
country, once he has taken possession.
Considering existing conditions and
frp hn
velopment which will unquestionably
take place, both in the immediate vi
cinity of San Pedro harbOr and in the
Los Angeles country generally before
the earliest date when proper fortl-
fications, with their armament and
accessories can be installed, the report
says it believes that the immediate
fertilization of the harbor is desirable,
if for no other reason at least as a
provision of local insurance.
AS a purely naval base the general
staff thinks that San Pedro offers to
an enemy considerable advantage. its
use for this purpose being with view
to operations against other points or
the Panama canal.
The general staff's argument, in this
connection. assumes that an enemy Is
coming from the Orient and the state
ment is made that so far as location
is concerned San Pedro would be a
good base for an enemy to operate
against our Pacific coast. The report
speaks of the region Of Los Angeles
and. saws the general staff: when
thinks of the great extent of this
country, its immense wealth, takes in
nli,,, of ~ |. n &
it one of the most attractive dwelling
places in the world no effort of the
IMAGINATION is needed to realize the
temptation it offers to those Oriental
powers whose population is pressing
hard on their means of subsistence
Under the head of ease of con-
quest" the report says that recent
study diccloses the fact that, assuming
there were no effective naval opposi-
ton, a certain Oriental power could,
within a month of the time it's hostile
intentions began to be even strongly
suspected Ca formal declaration of war
woul,. no doubt come a good deal lat
cry. land on our Pacific coast an ex-
petition of an estimated maximum
OF about 100000 men, and that such a
force could be enlarged in two months
to total possibility of 100000 The
ease with which San Pedro harbor I'M
fortified and through it the entire Los
Angeles country could be seized is ap-
parent
From ii defensive point of view. the
report points out the Pacific coast
country is divided naturally into thrcce
grand divisions. While complete each
areas are yet so related to one anOth-
or as readily to permit of progressive
occupation by an enemy. provided he
acted quickly. AT the same TING. the
board points out the ease of retaining
possession and the conclusion Is
reached that sea, mountain and desert
combine to make the position of the
| invader, once he has taken possession
Of the Los Angeles country in force.
well nigh imprcgnable.
Reference is had to q report made by
what is known as the Taft coast defence
board in 1906 and in this connection the
report says
1.-The changed conditions since the Taft
| board report that now render the forti-
| fcation of San Pedro harbor imperativ"
| may be summed up as follows:
| "1)-The development of San Pedro
harbor.
| "2)-rhe great potential strength as an
| enemy which a certain Oriental power
| has recently acquired.
| las an additional argument in rounding
out this report it may be stated that
the suggestive effect of public discussion
| of war contingencies on the Pacific
| coast has undoubtedly been to provoke
! international antagonisms of the gravest
character Adequate fertilization at San
Pedro would certainly remove now con
spicuous cause of that kind of agitation
which leads to unfortunate discussion OF
our foreign relations. and it would there