The Harrison times., 1915-02-06
GREATEST OF GUNS
Weapon Is Part Of Defense of
Panama Canal.
Army Officers Declare 16.nch Gun Is
Biggest Weapon Of offense and
Defense In Existence In
the World.
BY EDWARD B. CLARK.

ny ED"NND D' ShNl'N
(star Correspondent Of the Western News.
paper Unlon)
Washington--It is probable that the
16inch gun made in America" and
intended to bear its part II necessary
in the defense Of the Panama canal,
already is properly emplaced on its
carriage in fortiAcation on one OF
the islands guarding the Pacific APP
proach to the great waterway.
This gun, the manufacturing and
testing Of which were supervised by
Col. E, b. Babbitt Of the ordnance
corps OF the United States army, Is
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
lGinCh 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 tho
outlying fortIAcatlons Of Panama Col
George w. Goethals has Just told
committee OF congress that the great
waterway IL today in condition Of
defense strong enough to protect II
from the assaults Of war vessels, the
only way in which II can be assaulted
with heavy artillery,
II is asserted by some Washington
officials that the Notifications In the
continental United States are not
properly manned and that there is not
q sufficient quantity OF ammunition for
the big guns, The question naturally
concerns Itself here with a seeking
after reasons why everything 10 ready
for a perfect defense Of the Panama
canal while the delenses 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 BontImen.
tally inclined toward the great water
way, The consistent favorable action
OF congress IN matters relating to tho
canal work Ia viewed In Washington
as proving that senators and reprosen'
tNtyos recognize tho yNluo and
strength Of sentiment,
There has been no charge Of graft
In connection with Panama canal con-
strueton or with the work Of building
its defense, The only suspicion Of
anything improper in connection with
the isthmlan project was the charge
mndo that civilian purchaser OF
supplies accepted some presents from
contractors,
Congress- has voted money for the
canal and lta deienses 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 dofenseB for the canal
zone and the detenBos were supplied
and Il Ia said today that they are per-
hapa tho only coast defonsea which
we have which arc or soon viii bo In
perfect fighting condition
Army officers are making q point Of
this canal defense matter and OF the
willingness with which congress has
voted supplies, 10 ask that the same
kind Of treatment DO accorded other
dofenaea OF tho country II Ia pos
aibe, perhaps probable that an a 70,
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, II IL also said that there
Ia n 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
kVopH iIhn npbd ia far man and am.