New-York tribune., 1909-06-26
TO ABANDON OLONGAPO
NAVAL BASE IN MANILA
BAY PROBABLE.
Decision Upholding Army Engineers
Practically Reached by
President Taft.
IRON The Tribune Bureau ]

Washington. June 25-The President has
practically decided to abandon Olongapo, in the
Philippine Islands, as a repair station and war
base. Instructions have been issued to the Navy
Department to prepare plans and estimates for
such an institution on Manila Bay. and it IS be-
lieved that this new station will be established
near Manila. and not at Cavite, where there is
a navy yard. This will end a protraoted and
animated controversy between naval officers on
one side and army engineers and coast ar
tierists the other.
For some years there has been a grave ques-
ton as TO the relative strategic advanta ges Of a
station in Manila Bay and IN Subig Bay
The naval General Board has contended that
the ideal location was at olongapo in subig Bay.
and Rear Admiral William Swift, while he was
member of the naval General Board. was espe-
cially detailed TO prepare plans and develop
scheme by which Olongapo could be made the
principal naval base in Asiatic waters. He pre-
sented plans in detail which contemplated an
expenditure of about S3OOOo,O00-
The recommendations made by Rear Admiral
Swift and his associates on the board. which
were approved by Admiral Dewey, aroused the
ire of the army engineers md the coast artillery
officers who were familiar with the situation at
Olongapo. They sought TO have the recomnen-
dations set aside and interfered in material
the establishment Of a plant at Olongapo. In
the Roosevelt administration. however. some
progress was made on the work at subig Bay.
and certain allotrnerts were made and expended
in the erection Of buildings. with the intention
Of having well equipped plant for the repair
Of ships of war. The floating drydock Dewey
was sent 10 subig Bay. and is there nov
The army engineers and coast artillerists
have insisted that Olongapo. being at the base
of high hills was indefenshle. and thai it could
not be protected against an invading enemy.
It was described indeed. as another Port Ar
thur IN the weakness Of its possibilities of de-
fence from the land side. These reports did not
impress the naval officers. who have adhered 10
their view thar OlonEapo was the ideal loca-
ton.
Another objection advanced against Olongapo
was that il was far removed from the source Of
labor and the market for material More than
that II could not be approached bv railroad. and
ali the supplies would have to be taken in by
vessels. This feature. it was contendei. consti-
tuted further menace in time Of war. since
an enemy might easily waylay transports con
tairing men and munitions OF war and so seri-
ously interfere with the work Of repairing dis
abled feet.
The action is Of great irnportanc. as settling
one OF the vexatious questions which have pre-
vailed regarding military and naval policy on
the Asiatic station With the decision which it
is expected viii shortly he announced the
White House. II viii be possible for the Presi-
dert to urge Congress TO make definite apprO-
priatlons for big naval station in Manila Bay,
with the prospect that such appropriation will
he given. which was not the case when there
was difference of views in the service con
cerrtng Olougapo and Manila.