The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-04-01
UNITED STATES NEWS
American Battle Ships May Not 90
Through the Canal to Expedition
Earth Slides Interfere with Plans.

Earth Slides Interfere with Plans.
washington.-Effor to obtain ap
preparations for a large navy will be
made during the next session of Con
Canal is a failure as a great navy ad'
junct When the building Of the canal
was proposed II was asserted that II
would multiply the efficiency OF the
United States navy by two, as II would
permit the quick transfer Of the en-
Now a number of Congressman, in
Guiding Representative Stephens, OF
California, are coming forward with
the assertion that this multiplication
Is rather a sentimental consideration
and that the only way to protect both
coasts is TO have two large and eff.
cient fleets. The theory that the
building OF the canal would make II SO
easily possible for the battleships to
go from one -oaGRn to the other and
that o single feet would do the service
OF two, In the opinion OF Stephens
will not be borne out.
One evidence of this is the fact that
the slides in Culebra cut are interfer'
ing SO seriously with the traffic
through the canal that the plan to
send a great armada of battle ships
through the canal 10 the Pacific to at
tend the San Francisco Exposition is
not likely to be carried out.
II is clear that in the present un-
certainty OF canal traffic no reliance
can be placed on the free or safe
movement Of the dreadnaughts OF the
Atlantic feet from one ocean to the
other, but further excavation in Guile
bra cut may remedy this situation
Stephens, at the hearing before the
House Naval Committee, compelled
the Navy Department officials TO ad
NIT in effect that In a time OF public
danger II would not satisfy the public
to have the big battle ships assembled
In one ocean, leaving one side OF the
country unprotected. Secretary Dan
!els admitted that he would not fee
comfortable on the Atlantic Coast In
time Of war II the feet were on the
Pacific Coast.
Two Americans Hit by Stray Bullets
Bullets Of Mexicans
Washington, March SO.-F1erce night.
ing. which is now certain. between
che opposing forces at Matamoras,
Mexico. just across the border line
from Brownsville. Tex. prompted
the war department to make arrange
ments TO rush additional American
troops TO Brownsville to protect life
and property there In the event OF an
emergency arising as result Of the
battle on Mexican soil
That the operations in Matamoras
menace life in Brownsville Is indi
Gated in dispatch received from Gen
eral Funston to the effect that al
ready two persons have been wound
ed in the streets of that city by STRAY
bullets from across the border. Gen
eral Funston has been instructed tc
warn the Mexican commanders that
they must prevent firing across the
international boundary line.
Orders were issued for one regi
ment Of infantry, stationed at Texai
City. and three batteries OF artiller,
at San Antonio. to hold themselves IN
readiness, II called upon by Genera
Funston. who Is In command OF the
United States forces on the border. Il
proceed at once to Brownsville.
There are stationed At Brownsville
at present one squadron OF the Third
cavalry, a machine gun platoon and |
battery OF the Sixth Field artillery
Up the Rio Grande. within one hun
dred miles. there are two squadron
Of the Twelfth cavalry and additions
troops at Fort Mcintosh and Fort San
Houston. which could be landed a
Brownsville in less than twsntyfoui
hours.
In an ofnciai quarter IL was SAID
that II shots are fred across the Dor
] der at Brownsville that the American
forces have no authority to reply Il
kind without specific instructions from
(coniinusd on psss rwsl