The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-06-16
REoPENING OF THE
SOUTHERN NAVY YARDS

washington. Staff Special 10 the
Evening Telegraph of Philadelphia.)
1t is a moral certainty that the
Philadelphia and New York yards are
to lose some of the work they are now
doing, SO that New Orleans and Pen
sacola may perk up. In fact, Secretary
Daniels has almost determined to re-
move what is known as the Advanced
Base Organization from the Philadel
phia to the Pensacola yard That is
the outfit that hurries southwark
whenever the garlic republics get to
cutting too many didoes. 1t consists
now of the marines stationed at the
Philadelphia and Norfolk yards. If it
is ever brought to proper point it
will consist Of mine-laying and tor
pedo experts, with proper ships for max
ing it impossible for an enemy to come
into a harbor that has been seized by
the advanced base corps without bring
ing a larger force to bear than can
be easily carried on the ships Of
fighting fleet.
Purpose Is to Lead Way.
The purpose of the advanced base
outfit is to lead the way in the event
of hostilities, and be independent OF
battleships and army. For instance,
il war with Mexico should be inevi-
table, the work of the advanced base
outfit would be to seize TampicO or
any other port pointed out to it, put IN
defensive mines and torpedOes and be
be delivered against it by a hastily
gathered force. In addition, it would
be expected to prepare the way for the
coming of the army.
In 1898 the marines landed near
Santiago and went into camp weeks
before the army under Shafter- was
ready to move. While they did fine
work. they could have made the way
for the army much easier if they had
been better equipped for that partiCu-
lar kind of work.
The plans which Editor Secretary
Daniels is considering contemplate the
creation of real advanced base eXpe-
dictionary force. one that will be all
that its name implies.
One of the assertions made in con
nection with the plans is that there is
not room at the Philadelphia yard Cor
a. sufficient force of marines. \ sufft-
cient force is said to mean 1000 men.
In addition it is asserted that it would
be dangerous for such force to en-
gage in mine laying and torpedo prac-
tice work in the Delaware river. That
is why PensacO is under COnstdera-
ton as the home for such a force.
To Keep Southern States Solid.
Now here is the political aspect Of
the matter. Florida is going to be hard
hit by the tariff which puts pineapples
ucts either on the free list or OF
greatly reduced dutiable basis. It has
been hard for Senators Fletcher and
Bryan to suppress evidences of dissat-
isfa ction from appearing in an IN
pleasant sort of way.
OF course, how hard Louisiana is to
be hit is one of the national economic
scandals, All the democratic leaders
ADMIT that the half-million people de
pendent upon cane culture for q living
must get into some other kind of bust
ness. the wise men Of the party having
decreed that II is too expensive for
Americans to have their sugar pro-
duced a home.
The people of Pensac ola and New
Orleans have been very sore about the
efforts Of Secretaries NewberTy and /
Meyer made to close their navy yards. /
1t has not hurt their poCketbooks so +
much as il has wounded their pride. |
They believe that it was narrow sec !
ti0naI prejudice that caused those pre-
decessors of Secretary Daniels TO de
cree the closing of those yards
reopening will attract almost as /
much attention in the tariff afflicted /
cities of the South s would be a de |
termination by President Wilson to re- /
rede from the radical free trade posi- /
ton he assumed with regard TO sugar /.
and other food products. Announce /
ment that Pensacola and New Orleans /
Yards are to be reopened would have |
an effect upon the public sentiment of /
the far South out Of all proportion to |
the economic value of the fact that a /
few hundred men are to be given en- /
pioyment.