The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-02-27
FORTRESS MONROE is
THE ONLY GUARDIAN
If American Fleet Was Avoided
and that Stronghold Re-
duced, the Capital Would
Fall Easy Prey.
(American News Service)
BY SIDNEY ESPEY.

IlOn CdpltdI lies pTrIlCdlly uuQeIenu-
ed against the magnificent ornaments
which the scientific militarism of the
present age has achieved, it is high
time for that nation to shake off it's
apathy and grid itself for the possible
contingencies of warfare. The city of
Washington can today claim no great
Or protection against the invasion OF
hOstilo<fleet than in the year of 1912
relatively speaking, and in that unfor-
tunate episode the white house was Of
fered up in flames by the Britishers
and a score of rude indignities were
heaped upon the capital city of the
young republic.
Should war be declared tomorrow,
and an enemy's fleet dart into Chesa-
peake bay without being intercepted
by defending squadron. Washington
would unquestionably fall. One sec
ondary line of defense might offer a
feeble Observation-Disclosures Monroe
but it must be remembered that this
historic citadel does not command
Chesapeake bay. but merely Hampton
Roads, which is an entirely different
proposition.
TAFT Saw the Danger.
1t is little wonder that President
Taft took occasion on his visit to Nor
folk to the Deeper Waterways Con-
gress some months ago to make Wig.
orous plea for an impregnable fortifi-
cation at the mouth of the Chesapeake.
He is not an alarmist and he INDUCED
in no speculation regarding possible
disaster. He said:
You are here at the end of Chesa-
peake bay. which is the greatest stra-
tegical point of naval rendezvous in
the United States. We have a very
heavy and very formidable coast de-
Tense at Fort Monroe and all about
here, but If we want to protect this
coast we ought to protect with as much
emphasis as possible the entrance to
Chesapeake bay. Now. that can be
done in one way-by erecting an is
land on the middle ground and plac-
ing thereon fort that shall be impreg-
nable. That is what want"
Key Of Defense System.
The president might have added that
Chesapeake bay is not only our most
important naval base, but that it is the
Tense. The enemy's fleet could anchor
within firing range OF Washington
within sixteen hours after it pushed its
nose past Cape Charles and Cape Hen
ry. 1t would paralyze the nation at
its nerve center. A national humilia-
ton of this type, in view Of our long
standing boast that geographical con-
dition gave us complete immunity from
the attack OF invading hosts would be
pitiful. Baltimore would also be at
its mercy.
A war scare article has little charm
for the American public, because moth
ing can shake its sense Of absolute Sc
curity. In this cock sureness, danger
threatens. Military men hold no illu-
sions about victory perching on the
American flag as the inevitable clim-
ak of combat with q European power.
They prefer to face facts and condi-
lions rather than to seek support in
the glorious traditions Of the service.
They know that luck Is always on the
side Of the largest battleships. and that
naval warfare is merely question OF
the survival OF the fittest.
Planned a Gibraltar.
The national coast defense board, OF
which President Taft. who has been
secretary Of war was president, devel-
oped extensive plans for the creation
of a Gibraltar at the mouth Of Chesa-
paeke bay. They advocated an ex-
penditure Of nearly 100000 for this
work. After giving vigorous empha-
sis to the inadaquacy OF the present
AH~ ~
Commercially and strategically.
Chesapeake Bay is today, as 1t al
ways has been, of the very first I'M
portance. With the entrance as 1t Is
now unfortified, a hostile fleet. should
It gain control Of the sea, might es-
tablish. without coming under the fire
of a single gun. base on its shores.
pass in and out at pleasure. have &C.
cess to large quantities Of valuable
supplies of all kinds. and paralyze the
great trunk railway lines crossing the
head of the bay"
Statement by Roosevelt.
In support of this statement former
President Roosevelt once made the
following declaration:
The importance of securing the en-
trance of the Chesapeake Bay at Cape
Henry as an outer line OF defense to
Baltimore. Washington, Newport
News. Norfolk and the great railroads
crossing the Susquehanna river at the
head Of the bay cannot be exaggerat-
ed. Any expenditure, however great.
is iustifiable for the protection OF
such vast interests"
A large quota of our present navy
would be necessary to defend Chesa-
peake Bay should an invader attempt
to enter it. Practically our entire
Atlantic fleet would be enbarred from
all plans Of aggression and OF strk-
ing at the enemy ON his home shores.