New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-05

ACCORDING N present pians, lnc
American feet is to start from Guam
tanamo early in March for the naval
display attendant on the opening Of
San Francisco's Panama Exposition,
hut the possibility of a postpoLement
OF the cruise in view OF what Colonel
Goethals said was discussed here to-
night.
"In case of war. would this condition
prevent the passage Of our big battle
ships from one coast to the other?"
asked the Tribune correspondent Of
Secretary Garrison.
"Yes," he answered, "their Passage
would be prevented while these slides
last and until We had time to Gig them
out. This may take day or two days.
While these slides continue il il i'm
possible for any one to prophesy. Ths.
is all there is to it."
Colonel Goethals will appear before
the House Appropriations Ce 'mittee
tomorrow, and he will then p asked
about the stability Of the car the ex-
tent of the slides and the possibility
that American dreadnoughts may not
be able 20 use it, either in war time
or in peace.
Though the great earth slides az
Cucuracha have apparently been con-
quered, according TO Colonel Goethsls's
report, earth movements continue in
the neighborhood of Gold Hill. At
that point the superintendent masses
Of earth on the side of the canal by
their great pressure are continuously
forcing rock and soil in great qusnti-
ties into che canal prism.
While this can be obviated to mees
the needs of the number and size OF
vessels that are now applying for pas.
sage. Colonel Goethals was sure that
he could not guarantee that there
would be channel broad enough and
deep enough for the dreadnoughts Sc
lected for the naval parade BY the date
they are expected to arrive at Christie
bal next spring. 1t is considered only
Il question of time, however. when the
earth will find II equilibrium.
Representative Swager Sherfey,
chairman of the subcommittee OF the
House Appropriations Committee,
which has charge of the fortifcations
Of the canal, expressed surprise to-
night at hearing that il was likely that
ships would not be able TO pass through
tn. canal in March. Mr. Sherley, who
recently visited the Canal Zone, said:
81 cannot discuss the matter in de-
tail without knowing Colonel Goethals's
full views on the subject; but the
statement reputed to have been made
by him is surprising TO me. There
was no indication Of slides when | was
at the canal. 1t is possible. OF course.
that slides may hinder navigation for
very brief period, but they can be
dug out within forty-eight hours and
there is nothing alarming over the
prospect. When Colonel Goethals sp-
pears before the Appropriation Com
mittee he will be asked about his pur-
ported statement and will then be in
a position to discuss the subject more
intelligently.'
Senator 0'Gorman, chairman OF the
Senate Committee on Oceanic Canals.
said:
"The Interoceanic Canals Committee
has never considered the question Of
slides at Panama, although we have
recognized that they occur from time
10 time. ! did not know that there
was serious prospect of an Interrupt
ton Of navigation, but | am not suf-
fciently familiar with these subjects
e discuss just what inconvenience
may be caused. expect to 90 through
the canal in March, and would regret
&c think that slides could cause any
delay either 10 our ships
at that time or any other time. The
slides, | believe, are generally removed
within a comparatively short time"
Representative Thetus w. Sims. a
member of the House Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce, who
has visited the canal upon several oc-
casions, admitted that there was pos
sibility at any time that slides may
Cbstruct the canal.
"Sldes at the canal can no more BE
prevented than earthquakes" said Mr..
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