Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-07
Britain Fortifying Jamaica.

In this connection attention is called
by members Of the committee to the
fact that Great Britain is at present
fortifying Jamaica, with view to MAX
ing it as nearly impregnable as modern
big guns will permit. Naval officers are
unanimous in telling the committee that
1t will not do to have such a strong forti-.
fication directly in the line of commune
cation with Panama, without having an
American force at both entrances to the
canal to meet any contingency that may
arise. This means, reduced to the termi-
nology of Congress, that provision must
be made by that body for additional
battleships and armament, and that de-
mands for these things are to increase
rather than diminish by reason Of the
canal construction.
Then there Is the we'll known fact that
service In the tropics means deterioration
for the troops, and that 1t is unwise to
keep men IN that part OF the world longer
than two years at a time. This means a
demand by the War Department for a
radical increse Of the size Of the regular
army, with the cost such a proceeding
would represent The army plans with
reference to Panama include the creation
of three tropical divisions of troops one
each for Panama, Hawaii and the Philip
pines. the first named to consist of 5000
men, the second Of 5000 men, and the
third of 10000 men.
This would absorb half Of the available
strength of the army on it's present foot
ing and clearly call for additional regi-
ments. II the regiments sent to the
tropics are to be relieved promptly. The
War Department plan is to have six con-
tinental DIVISIONS from which to supply
the three tropical divisions. This would
call for nine major generals and probably
for two lieutenant generals, all this
meaning expense.
Cannot Afford Free Tolls.
The public health and marine hospital
service. as another item of indirect ex-
pense. would require a large additional
permanent appropriation to cover the in
spection of all ships passing through the
canal and the maintenance of sufficient
quarantine regulations throughout the
entire Canal Zone.
The estimate, therefore, Is that the
indirect expense yearly Of operating the
canal would in time be as great as the
direct expense.
In view of all these facts members Of
commerce are asking whether the nation
can afford free tolls to anybody. even for
the important purpose of granting q
subsidy to the American merchant ma.
rine. Members of the committee who
favored free tolls for American ships
when they sailed from New York Deem
her W have come home opposed to free
tolls. AS stated above. nearly every
member Of the committee who made the
trip takes this view. the other members
did not go. and who as yet have not
had access to the testimony taken by
the committee while on the isthmus.
1t seems that every year one of the
interested in the canal is trying to in
duce Congress to increase it's appropria-
lions. The army and navy have been
mentioned. as has the Treasury Depart
ment, Y hich has charge Of the public
health and marine hospital service. The
Department of Commerce and Labor Is
back of the proposition looking to free
tolls, which would enlarge its operations.
Free Tolls Widely Favored.
The reclamation service, in the Depart
ment Of the Interior, Is asking the free
use Of the vast machinery IN use In
canal construction. Such use would
greatly facilitate the construction Of
reclamation and drainage projects at
home
Bills are now pending in the House
providing that the several states, on
proper request. may use this machinery
without cost. A multitude of commercial
organizations, whose representatives are
thronging the hotels of the Canal Zone
and of Washington, are anxious to take
advantage of the opening Of the canal to
increase their business, through the fur
nishing Of supplies of various kinds to
ships using the canal The seekers after
various kinds OF concessions will become
more numerous In Washington as the
session advances.
The House committee on interstate and
foreign commerce is therefore realizing
that Congress must DO very careful in
matters Of canal legislation at this ses-
sion ii the prestige based on the freedom
of al canal work from extravaganza and
petty graft Is to be maintained.
within month this canal question in
its entirety will be before the House, and
ii is likely thai the committee will give
hearings to all persons who care to pro-