The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-09-19
FORTS FOR
Big DITCH
Continued From Page One.

by some that $40, 600, 900 will be nearer
the final sum required for the defense.
The plans of President Taft call for
Ten 4-inch rifles, twelve 6-inch rifles,
twenty eight 12-inch rno-tars, besides
an elaborate system CT submarine de-
lenses
Six OF the 14-inch rif1es---the most
powerful gun in the world--will be
placed on the Pacific coast, and four on
the Atlantic in pairs.
Principal Coast Defense.
Althouh the greatest secrecy is
maintained concerning the fortification
plans, 1t Is known that the main fort
defending the Pacific entrance will be
built on Sosa hill and armed with
four 14-inch rifles, six 6-inch rifles and
eight 12-inch rnortars. This will be
named Fort Amador, after the first
president OF the republic of Panama
Two other 14-inch rifles will be plac-
ed on Ancon hill, with smaller artillery
and the islands OF Naos and Perico in
the Bay OF Panama will also be forti-
fed with the object Of enabling an
American feet to pass through the
canal and form In line of battle on the
Pacific side, outside the range Of any
gun on ship that can come within
range of the guns on the islands. which
in turn will be protected and COM
manded by the guns of Sosa and An
con hills.
This plan was adopted on the sug-
gestion OF Admiral Evans, who pointed
out that no matter what Notifications
were built feet passing through the
canal would have to come out one by
one and II would be impossible for
feet to pass from one ocean to another
IL there was hostile fleet awaiting 1t,
sells as they came out.
Original Plans Changed.
Further the original plans for the
Pacific end of the canal have been en-
tirely changed for stra tegical reasons
The locks were to have been built at
Sosa, thus affording the greatest pos
sbble convenience to commercial ship
ping, but Colonel Goethals has moved
them several miles inland to a shelf
cred position at Kilierfos, where they
are comparatively safe from the fire
of any warstips in Panama bay.
The defense on the Atlantic side
will consist OF two twin emplacements
of the 14-inch rifles, each reinforced by
61inch rifles and 12-inch mortars; so
that there will practically be four
forts in aR-two on the Pacific and
two on the Atlantic side. AS on both
the Atlantic and Pacific sides ap-
proach to the mouths of the canal is
only possible to large ships through a
dredged channel, 500 feet wide ex-
mi cYv4 ~ VI,
protection of these channels by sub
marine mines in each is deemed ne
| cessary.
On the Pacific coast side 1t is also
intended to mine the passages be-
tween the islands of the Bay of Pana-
ma, SO as to prevent an enemy's ship
taking refuge behind them. Admiral
| Dewey, who, as senior member of the
Joint board of officers of the army and
navy appointed in November, 1909, to
report on the fertilization of the Pana-
| ma canal. approved the above arma-
ment, is on record as opposed to the
! principle Of fertilization. He said in
an interview some time ago:
'Fortiticatiens? Why, OF course not
AS / understand it, the canal Is to be
and should be a neutral commercial
pathway between the two great
dreams. To fortify 1t would simply re =
suit in making 1t a battle-ground In
! case OF war. Fortifcations would be
enormously expensive and ought not
to be erected
Discredit Bryce Run1or.
London, Sept. l9,-The report that
Ambassador Bryce. upon his return
from the Isthmus of Panama, will in
form Secretary Knox that Great Bril-
tain prefers tEat the United States
shall fortify the canal liz not credited
here. Since President Taft in his
message to congress In Aptil said that
| thet United States shoald fortify the
canal the foreign ott1cc has been en-
gagged in the matter. As result AM
bassador Bryce's visit to the isthmus
| was decided upon and an exchange OF
views with the powers took place. 1t
iS understood that the powers have
agreed that the free and uninterrupted
navigation of the canal ar all tmea,
with Its freedomS from Instructions
! damage by acts of war, are matters
OF importance TO all nations.
No representations have been made
to the American government nor will
any be made unless the congress of
the United States takes any action in.
compatible with the terms of the
Hay -Pauncefote treaty.