The Washington times., 1914-12-18
PHILIPPINES WEAK
IN LAME DEFENSE
Vice Governor Martin Does Not
Consider Islands Strongly
Prepared on Military Basis.
By John SNURE.

The recent utterances of Congressman
Hobson before the House Naval Com
ruittee of threatened trouble with Japan
in 1913, and preparations made at the
time TO defend Correeidor Island. at the
entrance TO Manila Bay, with the state
ment that CorreCidor was provisioned
for a two-year siege, have called atten-
ton again to the weakness of the Philip
pines from the standpoint of military
defense. Vice Governor Henderson Mar
tin before the Philippine Committee,
has also made it plain that he does not
consider the islands could be defended
as a military proposition.
Corregidor has been called the Glib
raltar of the East and there IS no
doubt il is "A strong fortificatiOn, &C.
cupyiur an excellent position. 1t stands
squarely in the mouth of Manila Day.
The defenses are modern, and ample
provision for munitions and provisions
% stand a siege have been made. 1t Is
doubtful if naval vessels would either
attempt to attack Corregidor or to en-
ter Manila Bay and reach Mania,
Besides. Manila Bay could be mined,
and tho War Department has made ar
Judgements for this: When Dewey en-
tered Manila Bay sixteen years ago II
was feared the squadron would encoun-
ter mines. 4 small number OF mines
had been planted, but they would not
work.
Guns Inadequate.
Furthermore, the guns of the SPAN
iards on Corregidor at that TINE were
With a few exceptions. entirely made
duate for the purpose of blocking en-
rance.
Corregidor, in case or war by great
rowcr DESTROYS of seiZing the Philip
zines, would be useful II would shield
he bav of Manila from entrance by sea,
aud would prevent the city Of Manila
from captlIrc by combined naval and
and force operating in the bay. In other
words. il would shut hostile forces out
IRON entrance BY direct route. Should
the American feet be hard pressed, II
would be enabled to take refuge in Ma
Mia bay, and the guns Of Corregldor
would hold off the enemy's fleet
Corregidor is a healthful island, hlSh
and rocky Troops with provisions ana
ammunition there could probably ho!d
out indefinitely. But Corregldor would
be no real defense against the capture
Of the Philippines Military men know
his well, and so do our naval men.
The only real safeguard the Philippines
would have from capture in case OF war
,--ouId he the American fleet. II this
rountry lost control of the PACING
through destruction or partial Cestruc-
ion of naval vessels in the racine
nIteTS. II WOuiu Dt lAllAo'aoibAC ~ --o-N
The Philippines if the opposing power
Jared to exercise sufficient energy or
go 10 sufficient expense to take them
Direct Attack improbable.
But there would probably be no direct
tack on Manila For years, army men
nave recognized tbs fact. What would
Probably occur, if the enemy controlled
The sea. would be to send foEce OF
transports 10 the east SIDE Of the island
~ IJIzon, on which Manila is located.
The troops could be landed on the cast
.,csst and then could be thrown across
he island toward the west striking
Manila from the rear and IRON the
and side. Trails over the mountains
make il practicable 10 move trooIs
9-ainst Manila in this fashion. Amer =
an army officers understand this; rere
IS no doubt the war offices OF such other
lowers as are in the Philippines also APP
rrecfate conditions. Manila Is not for-
tifed 10 resist an attack from the land
=ide nor does this country keep suidclen'
-:rrison there or elsewhere in the
LANDS apart from Corrgider to MAKE q
,.-otracted resistance against large
rodies OF inVa ling troops