West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-09-23
Submarine the Basis OF Defense

WASHINGTON, II. c.. Sept. 2l.-
without greatly increased number
OF submarines for our navy the pres
ent movement for military prepared
ness In this country will appear to
the other nations OF the world as in
effective and absurd. according To a
statement OF the National Defense
League.
This in brief, ia the substance OF
tho Information which will DO given
President Wilson within the next fow
days, In connection with the effort TO
ascertain all things needed TO put this
country I'm state OF better pI eparcd-
ness for war. Primarily tho demand
for big increase In submarines
comes from the navy officers and
naval experts. but it Ia significant
that this request Ia backed by army
officers of high rank. Particularly
among tho coast artillery and the
coast fertilization experts is there n
strong demand for submarines.
The explanation of this lies I'm tho
fact that there are ut various points
on the shores of tho United States
portions of the sea which can be
protected only by submarines. This Is
because fortifications are not built 80
that tho guns may sweep those wa
ters. and the currents are 80 swift
and ungovernablc that mines can not
be placed In them with any hope of
definite results.
There has come about, therefore.
tho unusual spectacle of IA group of
army officers Joining navy officers I'm
the demand for n better submarine
protection. That this will have pro-
found effect upon the President I'm the
preparation of his recommendation
to Congress In behalf OF greater pre-
parednesB liz accepted as certain I'm
Washington.
big American submarine building
company according to reports roceiv-
ed here. Ia operating I'm Canada 10
successfully that. as soon as the sub
marines are completed for the Allies,
they are put into the water and sent
across the Atlantic under their own
power will full war equipment and
ready to meet the enemy. The build
ing I'm Canada which ia devoted 10
assembling boats of the Holland type.
Is made necessary because of the in
ternational law against building them
in the United States and then sending
them TO the Allies.
a submarine costs about half
million dollars Three hundred sub
marines flying the Stars and Stripes
would cost less than a week OF actual
war, the authorities estimate. and.
since "A submarine can destroy any
that floats. fiotilla OF 300
OF the undersea-craft would be an un-
failing insurance against invasion by
a foreign foe at any time.
The President will be told that now
is the time to engage the talent and
resources OF the American submarine |
companies 80 that not all OF their out |
put can bo sent to foreign countries.
The National Defense League which |
VIII hold great conference on Ma
tional defense I'm Washington, Octo- |
Der At, Immediately following the
Grand Army OF the Republic Encamp- |
ment, has for years persistentIy advo-
Gated large appropriations for subma-
rines. Some OF the officers OF the
league declare that the United States |
should have not less than 300 OF the |
boats
with 300 modern submarines the
United States could defy the world
to successfully land troops on Ameri |
can soil"
This statement was made recently |
by Lieut.. G. X. Morrison. chief aid |
OF the STAFF Of Rear Admiral Grant. |
commander of the Atlantic submarine |
hotilla and considered the foremost |
expert on under-sea craft.
There is not n foreign nation nor
even a combination OF nations. that
could successfully land sufficient |
troops on American soil to combat
even our present army" declared
Lieutenant Morrison
-h-
Calamity Item No. 1913.