The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-28
NATION TO FORTIFY
NEW JERSEY COAST
Submarine Base Believed TO he
Part Of Defence Plan I'm
Barnegat Bay.
BIG GUNS FOR SEA GRIT

LAKEWOOD, ". j., Dec. 27.-Certab
discreetly pressed activities on the part
Of Government surveyors along the Jer-
sey coast recently have led many per
sons who nave had excellent facilities
for observation to believe that the
United States Government IL undertake
ing the first steps OF n new coast de-
fence plan which would make New York
and Philadelphia and the coast line im-
pregnable to a landing party.
Since nothing, relative tosthe supposed
new defensive measures has been an
nounced from Washington. and since
the indiv .duals whose surveys and ex-
aminatione have been presumably for
the War Department have not talked
about their work. the whole matter Is
still within the realm Of speculation.
Some features OF the supposed plan,
however. have seemed to be quite pDia
to persons familiar With the work goins
On at Barnegat Bay, Sea Girt, Port r..
public and other pc nts that might be
OF tremendous strategic value.
Az tho matter stands. the guess IN
that the Government ls getting -cadv to
establish a submarine base III Barne-
gat Bay, to provide an aviation base
near Lakehurst, to for:ify Sea Girt with
big guns and TO equip similarly at least
one other coast pos ton between Barne-
gat Bay and Cape May, and to con-
struct such a system of military high
ways AS would connect Barnegat win
Cedar Creek and Lakehurst with A.
sion. and to improve other roads In q
/ way that would make them available
/. (-N NH ..aa " h. gN.....s V..A-
sons along the coast who ave followed
developments are correct in their as
/ sumption. the beginning has been made
IN a military and naval defence plan
Of Importance.
! II H. said here that the War and Navy
departments have had under considera-
ton for a long time the necessity at es-
tablishing bases for submarines AMI
aerial craft at such points as would
permit OF a rapid defence of both New
York n Philadelphia. The Govern
ment H. reported also to have an especial
interest In the extensive clearing ana
building operations near Ltkenurst,
where hundreds Of men are at work IN
munitions plans for the Eddystone Mu-
nit'ons Corporation and the du pont In
terests have been busy.
In line with all Of this H. the fact mat
Col. Edwin Stevens of the New Jers,r
State Roads Commission has announced
the result of n conference in Washington
with Maior-Gen. Leonard Wood and
Chief OF star Hugh L.. Scott and officers
Of the Engineering Corps as 10 pressing
needs In the way of military roads and
substantial highways from Iatkchurst 10
Atsion and from l,arnegat to Cedar
Bridge. Such roads would connect Lake
hurst with the main state road between
Philadelphia and the southern coast aud
would connect Barnegat with excellent
roads leading to both New York M
philadelphia. \ Lakehurst-Ats!on road
would parallel the New Jersey Southern
Railway and also the coast line.
Fort Republic, about five miles north
OF Atlanti City. was the piece speciH-
cally named by Cot. Stevens a. the
southern extremity OF q now unprotected
stretch of coast thirty -siN miles long
the northern point Of which r. Tome
River.
. All In all, various activities AMI ie-
~velopnents have induced speculation
that probably the pan of tn. Govern
mept Is to supplement the SANDY Hool-
fortitications with heavy coast mortars
at Sea G!rt. with Il submarine base IN
Barnegat Bay. with adequate defence
In Delaware Bay. with a fortified J-oiu'
near Atlantic city. with an aviation bas..
well back from the coast but within
quick dying distance OF New YORK.
Philadelphia, lantic city and cap,'
May and with such a system ot roads
~ would make for effective ana speed
mobilization OF troops.
WAsHINGruS, Dec. 27.-War Depart
ment officials denied tonight the story
Of military steps at Lakehurst. Tive
recent report on coast fo~rtitications con
tanned no recommendations Of this char
aCter. II such a thIug were contemplated
nothing could h. lone without the au-
fnoriZation OF Congress.