The Washington times., 1915-11-14
CHAIN Of FORTS TO
GUARD new YORK
First Line Of Defense at Nor.
toms Point, Coney Island,
and Rockway Planned.

NEW YORK, Nov. 14--One Of the
Arst movies to be made by tfe war
Department after Congress acts upon
the many national security questions
will be to strengthen the harbor de-
fenses of New York, It was learned
here. 1t is considered almost GER.
tain that new fortthcaticns will be
constructed to flli up the gaps now
existing In the metropolitan defense
chain. The most likely locations for
such forts--and recent Government
activities bear out the information
received yesterday-are Norton's
With every new clash Of ships and
forts or ships and ships in Europe,
New York has awakened to the full
s(Gn:cance of the new long-ranGs
lighting. 1t has turned this city from
a walled Gnd turreted fortress into .
community almost at the mercy Of
any modern battleship which might
see Mt to appear Off Far RoclSaway.
Department Admits Plans.
officials of the War Department at
washington admitted that estimates
are being completed for one of the
most powerful fortifcations in the
world for the protection of the city of
New York and adjacent cities and vii
lages. ...
Il was said that ffteen-inch guns
with range Of twenty-one miles will
make the hhrbor impregnable to any
hcet ..r,' which may may. be brought against It.
knock out any battleship built or build
ing was the manner In which one Of
iiciul described the power and range Of
the armament designed for New York's
defense.
The range not only is greater than
the range of the largest gun mounted
by any ship In the world. but the land
guns always have the advantage in ac-
Some mystery was made by officials
Of tho location of the new guns. One
official. however. went so far AZ to say
the site would be somewhere near
Plumb island, which the Government
Plumb Island is situated between the
eastern end of Coey Island and the
mainland. The Government also has
been negotiating some time for land
near by. but It could not be learned IL
the deal has been completed.
Brig. Gen. l.. NJ. Weaver, chief OF
the coast artillery division. will furnish
the estimates to Secretary Garrison for
submission to Congress. They are said
but this could not be confirmed. The
number of guns also is u matter Of
doubt.
Appropriations for the fortiacations
u
the Sso.Ooo.OOo coast defense expenditure
recommended by Secretary Garrison for
the next four years, S20.0o0.OO to be
expended annually.
Eye On Coney Island.
II Is this state Of affairs which has
caused the authorities, as we'll as those
civilians striving for better defenses
to urge the often-discussed proposal of
more forts for New York. The Press
has information that this time the
question has received earnest attention
by those In whose hands the affairs Of
defense lie. and that II impending leg
islation Is propltious, New Yorkers may
count on new locks to their front door
leading TO the sea.
Entirely In keeping with the reported
plens for New York's first line Of de-
fense. Army engineers and experts Of
the Coast Artillery Corps recently have
along New York's coast line. The sur
veyors have been particularly detailed
on Coney Island. and, although the men
doing the work will say little concern
ing 1t, 1t has been determined that the
section Of Coney Island from Twenty
third street to Nortons Point. in Sea
Gate. Is of especial interest to the en-
gineers.
Brig. Gen. Harry f. HidGcs, chief OF
the Northern Atlantic Coast Artillery
uiftIiGt, WOulu Sds
army's plan for New York harbor de-
fenses when seen last night.
He made It plain he was not in a
position to discuss the situation end re-
fcrred questioners to Maj. Gen. Leonard
Wood. commander OF the department
o. the East. General Wood. who Is out
Of town. could not be reached last night
Other coast artillery officers questioned
gave as an explanation Of the work
going on at Sea Gate that the military
maps of New York's vicinity. and es-
pecially OF the approaches to the har-
Dor forts. need correcting.