The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1910-05-19
CANAL FORTFICAT|ONS|
Government WIN Spend Millions
to Guard Panama Property.
STRONG COAST DEFENSE
Government Cannot Afford to Leave $780,
100000 Investment to the Mercy
OiAn Enemy.

Washington, D. president Taft
has recommended to congress an ap-
preparation of $4,000,000 be made I'M
mediately available for the work OF
fortifying the Panama canal The total
cost of the work will be $14,000,0OO,
and it is to be completed in three
years and six months, at which time
it is estimated the construction OF the
canal proper will be completed.
When opened to navigation the ca
nal will bristle with the most modern
and powerful means of defense that
modern military strategists have been
able to work out. While the plans
for Che fertilization of the big ditch
can be given in only the most general
/ terms, enough may be set forth to
show that Uncle Sam is not going
to leave the work half done, or, in
other words. complete the house with
out providing for fire insurance.
In addition to the hidden forts with
their disappearing guns, of larger cal
ibre than any now in use; the subma-
rine Wisth the most powerful explos-
ives ever invented; the most wonder
full fire control to direct the shots OF
the battery; the instruments for tele-
phone, telegraphic and radio commu-
nication between the land and naval
forces; the most expert men In the
land and sea forces to direct the work
and handle the machines Of destruc-
ton, there will be called into use all
the modern inventions of aerial navi-
cation, including the aeroplane and
dirigible balloon, to watch out for
and report every movement of the
enemy, and to carry messages and
commanding officers from one vantage
ground to another.
No military man will contradict the
axiom that it is the man behind the
gun who wins tho fight. Realizing this
the military authorities have arranged
to place along the Panama canal about
500 coast artillerymen.
Every foot of the SO miles of canal
banks will be patrolled every hour OF
the day and night by these men who
have a thorough technical knowledge
of the defenses they are there to
guard. Under their feet and over
their heads will stretch telegraph wire
putting them in instantaneous com
munication with headquarters Almost
at hand will be men who could defend
against an army, or repair any seri
Gus breaches in the works of the ca
nal
Off the west entrance to the canal
and about three miles out in the Pa
cific ocean are three islands. On
these will be erected forts to com
mand the entrance to the canal On
each will be erected a hidden fort
manned by protected garrison -Four
great 14-inch guns are to be install
ed on these islands, mounted on dis
appearing carriages, and worked by a
perfect system OF fire control which
protects the gunners These guns are
now being proved at Sandy Hook
The 14-ineh guns will carry at least
10 miles, therefore, the western en-
trance of the canal will be protected
with a radius Of 13 or Ia miles, a
greater distance than any, from which
a modern battleship can make an Ell
fective fight
But in addition to the guns of the
forts on the island, the water be-
tween these outposts and the mouth
of the canal will be threaded with
lines Of submarine mines, some to be
worked by electricity from the forts.
Others which will explode by contact.
This system Of submarine defense
will be more elaborate tnan any ever
devised for the protection of a port
or harbor Two torpedo boats at each
entrance of the canal will be about
the only floating defense that will be
constantly maintained to guard the
canal.
On the Caribbean sea side. the east
ern side of the canal, the plans of de-,
Tense will not be so elaborate. The
inland forts will have, in addition to
the batteries of small guns, four Of
the great 14-inch guns. The system
Of submarine defense will not be SO
elaborate, nor will the range of eff
fectiVeness of the big guns be as ex-
tensive as on the western side of the
canal The torpedo boats and the
submarine mines will be maintained.
At the canal will be maintained air
ships to transport officers to danger
points; and swift launches to aid I'M
quickly mobilizing the army. The war
lords of the army and navy war col
lege hold that after the country
spends $500,000,00O on the canal It'll
should not be left at the mercy Of an
enemy.
GAVE FORTUNE FOR LOVE.