South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-07-30


Cambridge. Sir John Lintorn Simmons and
other officers were Of the same mind.
But thirty years has worked a revolu-
ton. France and England are friends and
there are British and doubtless French SOL
diers who think it would be an excellent
thing If the British expeditionary force
could be promptly despatched to the Con-
unent at need. Possibly there are sea Of
ficers who would be glad to be relieved
Of some of the responsibility for protecting
food supplies-if. in time Of war. the CONT
nent could spare any. On the whole. Brit
ish naval opinion is likely to be against the
proposal. because Of the possibly reduced
value which the public. relieved OF some
anxiety about its food supplies, might set
upon the service.
NOW QUITE PRACTICAL.
Major ". H. Gastrell. NJ. p. for North
Lambeth, is enthusiastically in favor Of a
channel tunnel
The advance in electrical science makes
the project far more practical than for
merly." said Major Gastrell. Moreover,
it has largely removed the danger from
such a tunnel in time OF war. IT would
not be necessary now to blow UP or flood
an immensely valuable piece of property
Either nation could prevent the passage
of trains simply by cutting off the power
in its half OF the tunnel"
AS indications Of the wonders that have
been wrought in recent years through cleo
trio railways, Major Gasken cited the
Bakerloo tube. which runs near his house
in Clarence Terrace, Regents Park
Houses in Baker street which used to rent
for $3.50 a year now bring $500, and the
entire character OF the neighborhood has
changed. Electric railway connection be-
tween England and France would have an
equally stimulating effect. he thinks.
With an electric railway under the
Channel 1t would be possible TO go from
London to Paris in five hours. and travel
would increase by at least fifty per cent
In its food supply England would benefit
decidedly by a tunnel. Fruits and vege-
tables which now arrive after a slow pas
sage by boat would reach us fresher and
with less loss in transit. Produce could be
packed in France in the morning and sold
in London the same night.
I'VE do not want any government
money he continued. Let permission
be given to construct the tunnel and it
can be financed in twenty-four hours
NO DANGER OF SEIZURE.
Mr.. Russell Rea, NJ. p, said he was one
OF those who had been IN favor of the
project since it was first suggested
The arguments raised against such
tunnel from the military standpoint al
ways seemed absurd TO me-" ne said.
and they are still more so to-day In view
of the progress OF electrical science. II has
been said that hostile fleet might cap
ture the English terminus of the tunnel
and then bring troops across into British
domain with no one e stop them But
control OF the tunnel can extend farther
than the English terminal. There IS moth
ing TO prevent electric connection with
London itself. I am not an engineer, but
know enough Of electrical possibilities
TO realize that II would be simple to pro-
vide equipment whereby the tunnel might
be closed, or part of it flooded or blown
UP. If necessary, by merely pressing a but
ton at the War Office"
Mr.. Rea was asked II he believed. with
Lord Rotterdam, that Great Britain's in
sularity was no longer an issue because
1t had already been destroyed by the aero
plane
That may OF may not be So" he an
swered ANY one who wants to believe
it is welcome to do so. I don't care by
what mental processes others convince
themselves Of the wisdom OF q Channel
tunnel, just so they favor IT."
Mr.. Rea said that engineers did not
think that a Channel tunnel presented any
particular difficulties from the standpoint
Of construction The tubes would pass all
the way through a workable clay. Pres
ent experience in yentilating long tunnels
was such. he thought. that air could be
provided for a stretch OF twenty miles as
easily as for shorter distances In existing
tunnels
1 Mr.. Rea said that the provisional COM
mittee. which is now considering the
project in the House OF Commons, repre-
sented all shades Of political belief and II
was the purpose to make the issue a non
party question. Owing to pressure Of bust.
ness. it was not likely that the matter
could be brought up at the present session
Of Parliament but it was the hope OF
friends of the project TO pledge enough
members 10 its support so as to insure sub
Isequent passage OF law permitting the
construction OF a tunnel
The Hon Walter Guinness, NJ. p. saht
that he was stin OF an open mind IN regard
to the proposed tunnel There could b.
no doubt of its advantages commercially
and as a guarantee of food supply in cas-,
OF war. and the only question was as t
: whether Il would be menace from tn,
standpoint OF national defence.
IF the War Office is satisfied that
tunnel would not be a danger from tn,