The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-09-20
TO F0RTIFI CANAL
Taft to Ask Congress to
Start Work.
DOESN'T BELIEVE IN DELAY
The President Holds Government
Should Police and Protect Canal
by Fertilization at Each End.
May Cost s14,OOO,O0O.

Beverly. Mass, Sept. l9.-President
Taft in his coming message TO con
gross will give prominence to recon-
mendation that at least $2.OOO.OoO De
appropriated for immediate use IN De
ginning the fortifcations of the Pan
anna canal. II became known also here
that President Taft's economy plans
don't contemplate any interference
with the established naval policy OF
adding two battleships a year to the
American feet
President Taft believes that there
ought to be no delay in this govern
ments undertaking the fortiicauons
of the canal He recommended an ap-
propriation of 100000 for this pur
nose at the last session Of congress.
hut il encountered some opposition IN
the house and wasn't pushed.
The plans for the protection OF the
Panama canal as recommended by a
commission OF army engineers include
the erection of Notifications on the IS
thmus at each end of the canal and
also the fertilization OF group oil
small islands near the Pacific en-
france. The cost OF the fortiiications
has been yariously estimated as high
as $l4.0O0000.
President Taft holds that the United
States has ample power under her
treaty rights to fortify the canal. In
fact. the only way this government
can police and protect the canal, IN
his opinion. is by fortilying 1t ana ne
proposes TO exert his influence TO ac-
complish this at the earliest possible
date
Ii was learned that the administra-
ton in connection with the fortliica-
ton of the canal is also thinking OF
establishing a strong naval base on
Guantanamo Island. near Cuba. Sec
rotary Of the Navy Meyer will soon
take trip to Guantanamo for the pur-
pose of observing conditions tire. II
is the opinion OF navy experts that fu-
ture wars in which this country may
be engaged. If they ever come, will be
fought out in the neighborhOod OF the
Panama canal and II is in connection
with this opinion that Secretary Mey-
er is looking toward Guantanamo as
affording a base for an American fleet.
OF almost equal interest with the
news of the president attitude toward
the fertilization of the canal. was the
announcement OF the likelihood of the
negotiations of a reciprocity treaty
between this country and Newfound-
land. Charles Pepper, the American
tariff expert, is in Newfoundland now
investigating the tariff question with a
view to opening negotiations. the
drawing of this treaty would OF course
be in accord with the efforts that are
now being put forth to effect a similar
trade agreement with Canada New
foundland is a separate government.
II is understood that the prospects OF
favorable negotiations with Newfound-
land are as bright as they are in the
case of Canada.
The president left here for New
Haven. Mr.. Taft will leave New Hay-
en- at 8 O'Clock this afternoon after at
tending a meeting OF the Yale corpora
ton. He will 90 direct to Cincinnati
by way Of Springfield. Albany and Buf-
falo. The presidents three day cabi-
net session at the White House viii
begin a week from today 1t was
learned that the Ballinger case VIII
not be taken up by the cabinet.