The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-21
VALLEY COUNTRY OPEN
 TO ATTACK OF FOREIGNERS

New Orleans, June 20. Especial. )- Because the Naval Bureau at Wash ington has been hostile to the Missis- sippi River, the Federal Government has sadly neglected the defeRses of the valley country by leaving its gate way to the sea practically unprotected. Should such a policy on the part of the Government continue, in time of war, the enemy's warships could be kept out of the river only by destroy ing the jetty channel. This channel has cost much money and required many years to open up and might be closed indefinitely. Upon its integrity depends the commerce and cheapness of the freight rates from the valley to all foreign markets. With the open ing of the Panama Canal, the cities of the valley will begin the upbuilding of vast import and export trade.
 In order to place the facts squarelY before the people of the valley and to warn all concerned against the dam gers of an apathetic attitude. the com mercial bodies of New Orleans have adopted the subJoined resolutions, and have sent copies to all other Missis- sippi Valley commercial bodies for adoption:
 "Whereas, The completion of the Panama Canal, the two deep sea chan nels at the gateway of the Mississippi ftlNeT, NCOSJlnB the nhIlOH some SlD,- 000, ,000) with capacity for the largest vessels built or designed, in connection with the lakes to the Gulf deep wa terway, will inevitably locate the na- tion's great industrials upon the Mis- sissippi River, that national highway of commerce, which the farmer, miner, merchant and manqfacturer of half the States look to as the permanent dom- mating factor in regulating the cost nP tro a fnF their nrndV1rt q . and.
 Whereas, In order that this gate way be always kept open, during war or peace, 1t is absolutely necessary that 1t be effectively fortified and support dby a naval base; and
 "Whereas, With the exception of the present defenses, consisting solely of two ten-inch guns, in obsolete forts forty miles above the rivers mouth, and of such war vessels as could be spared when considered in conjunction with the defense of the Atlantic Coast, Panama Canal Pacific Coast, Guantan- amo, Hawaii Alaska, and Philippines, this great valley is at present absolute ly without defense against a single "Dreadnought," and.
 "Whereas, The War Department, (page 25, report Taft Board) ignores the defense of the Mississippi Valley until those of Chesapeake Bay, Long Island Sound, Puget Sound. Subig Bay, Guantanamo, and Manila Bay. are com pleted, and Is still maintaining this policy; and.
 "whereas, The Navy Department. (page 336, of 1908 report) says, "all appropriations for any improvements at naval stations Or for the defense of coast ports of the United States should give way to the establishment and defense of naval bases in the Philippines, at Pearl Harbor and at Guantanamo and
 "Whereas, The Government has near lv completed at New Orleans a naval station and dry dock capable of lift ing and repairing all ships of the navy now in commission. which indispens- able facility the Navy Department pro- poses to shut down and practically abandon: and.
 'fWhereas. A naval base at New Or leans offers proximity to Panama, strategic and defensible harbon and facilities unsurpassed, in area. depth fresh water anchorage, and wharfage with easy navigation to and from the sea at all times; unlimited supplies Of coal. fuel oil. iron, lumber. an abund- ance of skilled labor. with provisions of all kinds as cheap and plentiful as