The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-31
Government Will Rush
Work on Panama Ca
nal Fortifications.
THEN IN POSITION
TO SAY "TOO LATE"
Anxiety of Officials to Put Final
Touches on Defense Plans Is
Result of Hint From Eng
land That Controversy
Might Be Re-
neWed.

t'peSidI 10 ne
Washington. December 3o.-Stirred
by the renewed restlessness of Great
Britain concerning the Panama Canal
fortifications, the War Department is
straining Its energy to complete it's
work in advance of a formal protest
from England
Should England decide 10 follow it's
tint Of objection with a formal diplo-
matte note, this government wants to
be In position to answer that the
fortification is already complete and
That the protest comes too late.
1t has leaked out that the board
composed Of the highest officials and
iortihcauon experts in the army, named
last saturday by Secretary Garrison
to put the final touches on this canal
1ortifications. Is tho result of tho hint
from England that the fortification
controversy might be renewed
The chairman of the board is Major
General Leonard Wood, chief of staff
with Major-General Wotherspoon. as
sistant chief Of staff and recently head
CT the War College. next in line. The
other members of the board are Brig
adler General Crozier. chief of ord
nance; General Erasmus NJ. Weaver.
chief of Coast Artillery, and Captain
Harry s. Knapp, L. S. N; Colonel
George ". Goethals, Corps of Engi-
neers; Captain William r. Shoemaker
U. s. N; Colonel Edward Burr. Corps
of Engineers: Lieutenant Colonel Will
liam G. Haan, Coast Artillery Corps;
Major William Chamberlain c. ~ c.
Officers Pick of Army.
These officers are the pick of the
army and We're selected with the spe-
cial view Of rushing the forti;icati ton
work.
1t has always been intended at the
WaT Department th,te the fortifcations
be completed at the opening OF the
canal but the plan now is to finish
the work at the earliest possible date
The canal is practically complete now
Tor emergency purposes.
From the beginning. the war officials
have maintained secrecy concerning
the defense plans. Neither Americans
nor foreigners are permitted to visit
the fortification sites at the canal No
reports have been made public as tn
the progress of the armament for the
iorts, although 1t is understood that
several twelve-inch mortars for tho
canal have already been tested at
sandy Hook, and the sixteen-inch Gun
there shortly Will be sent to Panama.
Al the State Department there is
scarcely any further attempt TO con-
ceai the fact that this government is
making a close inquiry, not only con-
cerning the pact of Germany and
Great Britain not to exhibit at the
San Francisco Exposition. but to GET
.. me potion OF the whole German
English commercial combine against
this country.
me government officials were espe
ciaily interested in dispatches quoting
'he Lohoon Times as saying that the
press and the United States govern
ment drove Lord Cowdray from the
Colombia oil fields, but that the adon-
Nt .aof
Is predicted after the coming presi-
Dental elections in Colombia.
dispatches from Mexico reporting
that Lord Cowdray has obtained q loan
OF Si2,5OO.000 for the Huerta govern
,neht M, were also read with interest by
ehe state Department officials
Immediate ReprisaIs.
There are to be Immediate A,noric,
reprisais against the British Germon
combine. it was said to-day. Washa
lnstoh representatives of foreign
steamship lines are seeking to verify
d teport emanating from Indiana that
pelitions. were about to be circula ted
calling on all Americans not to natror'
iNe any steamship lines to Eurone
owned or backed by governments which
ala not participate in the San Eran.
cisco exposition.
Ihe successful carrying out of this
plan would enormously boneat tns
French steamship lines. at the nSnoao o
OF lines of other countries which did
not take part in the exnosition
Among the officials who deal With
commerce of the United States ~
British German combine is looked unnn
as somewhat Of a stimulus 10 A,nar
'can industry. 1t is declared that ..
VIII put American business men ~
thelr mettle, result in tho "a
hablntatfon of the American mercbant
marine and the establishment ~
American marine insurance concerns -
take care OF this country's sbinni,,,
surance. VI IN
One striking suggestion is that IN
answer to the alleged attemnt of en- IN
many and England to cripple tho ex
position there will probably bo
strong movement to divert tho traya1
OF americans to the West instead Of
20 europe. thus cutting off tho r,nh
Picklngs which tho Old World has en-
pountifully had from this country ,nd
keeping the American millions at
home at
There liz apparently no limit IN m
portunity for reprisal, and Washinpton
onicials are confident that IL Will MOI.
DO America that Will suffer from tha
trade war which Germany and Eng
iand seem bent on starting.
Urges Repeal OF Free Clause.
Ispsciaisto The TimesSDispatc6.
washington. December 30.-tInder
cover OF dtplomatic secrecy England
mas been quietly urging tho repeaI
or the free Panama Canal toll clause
OF the canal act upon the present adj
'ninistration, 1T was admitted here to-
day.