The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-06-09

Pensacola as the home station for
the advance base outfit," which would
include 1000 marines and about three
Transports is the plan of the navy de-
partment, according to a staff special
sent from Washington to the Times
Democrat. At present the headquart-
ers is at Philadelphia. but the fact
that Pensacola is so much nearer the
Panama canal as well as countries
where trouble is liable to occur has
caused the navy department to con-
slider turning the Pensacola yard into
headquarters for the outfit" and IL is
intimated that the visit here this
month Of the Board of Inspection OF
Shore Station is for no other purpose
than to report upon the advisability
of bringing about such a change The
article sent from Washington, dealing
at length with the matter, is as fol-
lows:
AN ambitious plan to make the PEN
sacola navy yard headquarters for an
expeditionary force Of marines mine
layers and torpedo experts is under
consideration by Secretary Daniels. At
present what is known as the "ad-
Vanced base outfit" is stationed a { the
Philadelphia navy yard That place,
however, Is too crowded. Pensacola
has much room and would be able to
accommodate at least 1000 marines.
R,bioh the r-s2raarpe taa wGs4l9 be
attached il the plans now In process
OF formulation were carried out
me me objection to Philadelphia lies
IN IIe Iact-that in the crowded river
and it is % daneeroaifsp ifspF FFoto torpedo exercises.
experts to undertake operations calcu-
lated to make them efficient. II is felt
that there would be more opportunity
for proper exercises at or near Pen
sa cola.
"The advanced base OUTFIT Is in
RI Va he na
ever expedition this country might
have to send to any part OF the world.
For instance, whenever 1t has been
necessary, TO occupy any point along
the Caribbean marines have been
rushed from Philadelphia and Norfolk,
which are 1900 miles farther away
from the scene Of operations than PEN
sacola. would be.
VISIT OF SURVEY BOARD.
The Board Of Survey Of Shore sta
tions, which is going 10 make a survey
of the yards at Pensacola and New
Orleans, is expected to look at the Pen
sacola. yard with a view to the execu-
ton Of the plan. although 1t is not ad-
mitted that 1t has any such instruc-
tions.
The idea is that the advanced base
outfit shall be q self sustaining unit
ready to move at the shortest possible
notice and to take position wherever
reeded in advance of the coming of the
the presence of any part Of the army,
then to act as an army Of occupation
in disputed territory or to act as a.
punitive or peace making force, such
as may he needed In Central America
at any time.
AT present there are about 500 ma
rines at Philadelphia, but the pan ia
to have an expeditionary force OF about
1000 men ready for such duty as that
IN order that such a force may be col
ected, it will be necessary TO remove
the marines from battleships, thereby
up that dispute again.
'If the plan is carried out, three
will be kept at whatever
point the marines are stationed. The
Prairie and the Dixie have been used
'or such service. Together they are not
enough to carry 1000 men, unless great
changes should be made in their in
crior arrangement. The navy is build
ng a transport, which, with one Of the
,ider transports, will enable the whole.
proposed corps Of 1000 men to ne
embarked and sent away at the same
ime."