The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-03-01
TO FORTIFY
Chesapeake Bay Seems I'm.
probable At PfGSGEt
Experts Show How Army
Could Be Landed At Capital

Could Be Landed At Capital
Washington, Feb. 27-People who are
interested in adequately fortifying the
entrance to Chesapeake Bay, as one of
the defenses of the national capital,
failed again this session of Congress
to have inserted in the Notifications
bill such provision But they made
a stronger impression than usual on
the appropriations committee, and it is
probable that before many years have
gone by Congress will vote money for
this purpose. A good many members
of the appropriations committee were
interested in the question this year,
and the hearing before the committee
on this question was both interesting
and instructive.
The proposed fortification looks to
: the erection CT fort at the month of
the bay, equally distant from each
shore. A small island now occupies
this ground, and it is the idea to have
the island filled above sea level. The
cost for this part of the work would
run into hundreds of thousands of
dollars, but the army officers believe
the scheme has merit.
| Among those who appeared before
the committee in support of the plan
was General Crozier, chief of ord.
I nance, who said that 1t would be easi.
ly possible, under present arrange.
! ments, for an enemy with 100000
troops to get into Chesapeake bay, and
land at Annapolis, or at some other
point near Washington, and march
overland. A fortification in the lower
Chesapeake, he said, would prevent
such landing, or compel the enemy
to use the open sea. He said, In the
same connection tnat he believed
Washington could be captured with
in month, if any power, or combina-
ton of powers, of Europe, having the
command of the sea, should think it
worth while to try it." He added that
he was not an alarmist, by any means,
and then went on to say:
"They have the Atlantic ocean as a
splendid highway. Marine transporta.
tion is the very best kind of trans
portation that you can have. 1t is the
easiest, the cheapest, and the most
expeditions, If you consider large
bodies of troops, with large amounts
of material. The fuel charge for wat
er transportation in some good tramp
steamers does not amount to 1850 of
cent ton mile.
"One cannot help but be impressed
in our distant possessions with the tire.
mendous amount of people and forage
and food and clothing and blankets
thing of that sort which can come out
of vessel of very moderate tonnage
-20O0 or 5000 or 1000 tons. 1t is a
splendid means of transportation. The
distance is only 10 days for vessel
of very moderate speed, and you can
carry 1000 men on a vessel of 5000
tons capacity without any trouble.
There are any number of vessels to
| be had, and there Is no resistance on
this side against a well-equipped force
of 100000 men"
Gen. Crozier also expressed the
opinion that the 14-inch gun of the
present day, which penetrates IL inch
es OF armor at about $4,000 yards,
would serve as an admirable battery
for fort at the mouth of Chesapeake
Bay. He believed that four to six of
these guns with few mortars would
be sufficient.
1t Is said that proper fort at the
place in question would cost, all told,
about s3.000,000, which is one reason
the Democratic House, which is bent
on record of economy, declined to
consider 1t at this time. The fortica-
tions bill has been reported to the
House minus any provision for the
fort named The effort, however, is to
be renewed next session and ultimate.
ly there seems little doubt but the
appropriation will be made.
.--------->----,ff---
! Mr.. Noah w. Allen made business