Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-02-28

wa nlnKtOn WITHIN sixteen hours
after 1t pushed its nose past CLpe
CLar.es and Cape Henry. 1t wou d
be literally capturing the United
States Government II would para
lyze the nation at its nerve center
A national humiliation OF this type
n view OF our long standing boast
At geographical conditions gave
complete immunity from the at
aok OF invading hosts, would be
~'tfu Baltimore would also be al
nercy.
a war scare article has it'll,
Farm for the American public be-
cause nothing can shake its asnss
OF alb dilute security. In this cock
suredness," danger threatens. Mil
AIRY men hold no Illusions abou.
victory perching 81 the America.
az as the inevitable climax OF com
bat with European power The
prefer to face facts and conditions
1ther than 10 seek support in the
oricu traiitoas OF the sarytce
e know that luck is ways oil
.he side OF the largest battlesh -.
and that naval warfare is merely {
question OF the survival OF the fit
test
The Nationa Coast Defen
GARD, Of which President Taft, VIII,
is been Secretary OF War, wa
resident. developed extensive plan
the creation OF a Gibraltar a
he mouth OF the Chesapeake Ba
They advocated an expenditure
nearly 100000 for this work. Al
ter giving vigorous smphs 10 to IL
nadeQuacy OF the present fort'ncs
{ rs, the Board declared:
Commercial ly and strategical
hesapeaks Bay 10 today, as It alway
has been, OF the very fret impo
CIV unfortihed. hostile nee
should 1t gain control OF the St
night establish, without coming III
er the fire OF single gun, q ba
IN It's shores, pa in and out
p easure, have access to large quaint
les OF valuable supplies OF all kind
and paralyze the great trunk lin,
crossing the head OF the bay"
In support OF this statement 70
i mer President Roosevelt once mad
the following declaration:
THE importance OF securing III
ntrance OF the Chesapeake Bay
ape Henry as an outer line OF dc
Zen 20 Baltimore, Washlngto
Newport News. Norfo1 and II
'reat railroads crossing the Susqu
Hanna river at the head OF the be
annot be exaggerate Any expend
'ure. however, is justifable for IT,
protection OF such vast Interest,""
a large quota OF our present nav
"ould be necessary to defend Ches
cake Bay SHOULD an invader q.
,empt 10 enter II. Practically o.
entire Atlantic feet would be en-
barred from all plans OF aggres 10
md OF striking at the enemy on h
one shores, because OF our insd.
nate coast defenses The nsval a.
Noritie could plan no strategy
comprehensive scope; our battle
hips you'd be powerless 20 strlk
rfectively, but would be compete
% walt until tho enemy came vi.
n range OF our coast II may be
rape be maintained that our nav
IS built merely for purpose OF d,
Zen 2, but its efficiency Is woefu
decreased when It is reduced TO IN
merely guard for our eastern ,ea
board
A comprehensive plan OF defens,
FOR Chesapeake Bay has been drawn
\ big artificial island fort between
Cape Henry sAd Cape Charles g,
handing the entrance to the bay
VIII be built as soon as Congrest
sees ma make the necessary appro
priation. This island fort will be
built OF concrete, with walls al
proEimately 30 feet in thickness
The Armament will consist OF dlsap
caring guns or turret guns. The
Coast Artillery officers have not We
made definite decision on this
ONT.
Ce'pt W r. Boutwell,, who
President OF The Virginia PioIots' IA
ISOLATION and vel informed on IN,
-ubiect Of the required defense o,
chesapeake Bay has this 90 say 70
gardihg the pre- ent conditions
III We scrutinize our coast from
Maine 70 Texas, from lower Cali
'ornia to tho northern most limit,
~ WashlnR,on- We can End M r..L..