Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-01-28
GREATEST OF GUNS
Weapon IS Part of Defense of
Panama Canal.
Army Officers Declare 1s-ineh Gun Is
Biggest Weapon of Offense and
Defense In Existence In
the World.
Nv EDWARD g. CLARK.

(staf Correspondent of the Western News
paper Union.)
Washington.-It is probable that the
16-inch gun made In America" and
intended to bear its part If necessary
in the defense of the Panama canal,
already is properly emplaced on its
carriage In a fertilization on one OF
the islands guarding the Pacific ap-
proach to the great waterway.
This gun, the manufacturing and
testing OF which were supervised by
Col. q. B. Rabbit Of the ordnance
corps of the United States army, &c
probably the biggest weapon Of offense
and defense in existence in the world
today. Stories are told OF bigger guns,
said to be in process OF manufacture
on the other side Of the water, but
army men in Washington are inclined
to doubt the truth Of the reports. The
16-inch gun probably represents the
largest type Of military weapon which
can be safe and effective at the same
time, at least such seems to be the
opinion OF the experts.
There are other big guns on all the
outlying Notifications of Panama. Col.
George w. Goethals has just told
committee Of congress that the great
waterway is today in a condition OF
defense strong enough to protect 1t
from the assaults of war vessels, the
with heavy artillery.
It is asserted by some Washington
officials that the Notifications in the
continental United States are not
properly manned and that there is not
a sufficient quantity of ammunition Tor
the big guns. The question naturally
concerns itself here with a seeking
after reasons why everything is ready
for a perfect defense of the Panama
canal while the defenses of our great
cities are said to be far below the
plane OF efficiency.
Congress always has been generous
to the Panama canal. The people Of
the United States have shown from
time to time that they are sentimen-
tally inclined toward the great water
way. The consistent favorable action
Of congress in matters relating to the
canal work is viewed In Washington
as proving that senators and rapresen-
tatives recognize the value and
strength of sentiment.
There has been no charge of graft
in connection with Panama canal con-
struction or with the work of building
its defense. The only suspicion of
anything improper in connection with
the isthmian project was the charge
made that civilian purchaser of
supplies accepted some presents from
contractors.
Congress has voted money for the
canal and its defenses from year to
year and has voted willingly and with
out delay. The members Of congress
took the word of the war department
Of the need Of defenses for the canal
zone and the defenses were supplied
and it is said today that they are per-
haps the only coast defenses which
we have which are or soon will be in
perfect fighting condition.
Army officers are making a point OF
this canal defense matter and of the
willingness with which congress has
voted supplies, to ask that the same
kind Of treatment be accorded other
defenses of the country. 1t is pos
sible, perhaps probable, that as a re-
suit of legislation soon to be enacted
enough men will be added to the
United States army to man all the
coast defenses which the government
has erected. It is also said that there
is a likelihood that plenty of ammu-
milton will be supplied for the big
guns. The forts themselves are in
good condition and there are enough
powerful guns to do the protective
work. The need is for men and am
munition.