The Washington times., 1915-02-24
SEACOAST DEFENSE
IS J|NX FOR HOUSE
Aore hpprehensive Members
:.Want to Be Shown" in
Argument Over Guns.

The possibility Of the bombardment
Of the seasoast cities Of the Usited
States Is the specter constantly held up
before the House in it's debate on the
fortifications appropriation bill now
pending.
Despite the reassurances of members
IT charge Of the measure. the more ap-
orehensive legislators want to be
shown in the argument concerning
seacoast guns and the twelve-inch range
Of the guns aboard the modern dread
naught
Congressman Gardner Of Massachu-
sets started the discussion in his
speech two days ago. when he inti-
mated that the Appropriations Com
mittee had failed to publish all of the
testimony taken before 1t regarding
garded 1t as entirely probable that q
foreign vessel could lay of Rockaway
Beach and lombard New York.
During the debate late yesterday Mi
nority Leader Mann, although not re-
garded as an exponent Of the Gardner
views regarding a big navy and an
army. engaged in lively colloquy
with Congressman Sherley, who has the
Notifications bill in charge.
Situation Not Alarming.
Mr.. sherley admitted that there was
some shortage of ammunition at the
seacoast defenses, but he said he be-
lieved the situation was not alarming.
as not all the guns would be engaged
at once. and ammunition might be
rushed to any point attacked. He ex-
planned that 1t was proposed to have
ammunition for one hours firing for
all guns, and Mr. Mann asked:
Suppose the invading fleet was on
the Atlantic ocean at some place and
We might know not just where. and Il
should suddnly appear off the coast Of
New York or Chesapeake Bay, or some
other place. what good would 1t do to
have a lot Of ammunition here in
Washington or elsewhere?"
We'll. do not thing it would do any
good. I don't think we ought to have
any at Washington" responded Mr..
What good would 1t do to have it
anywhere except at the point where the
feet appeared?" persisted Mr.. Mann
That would depend on how soon the
smmuniti9n ann ,tIp could be gotten there and
Mr.. sherley. If you mean to imply
that YOU think there should be a suf-
ficient quantity at each place. except
points where nobody expects attack.
without reduction of other forts. then
agree with you"
Il have not been able to figure out
what advantage it is to have lot of
ammunition at San Francisco with the
fleet at New York. for instance said
Mr.. Mann.
Would Know In Advance.
''The theory upon which the allotment
was made" said Mr.. Sherley. was not
80 much the transfer of ammunition
from point to point. as it was the trans
fer Of ammunition from one coast to
Ia hot hofo
attacked We would know. according to
the country you are having war with,
what coast was going to be involved.
.,,SS., Nov I am Is, free TO. to admit do not
think. perhaps. that General Weaver's
position Is the sounder one, and I am
inclined to believe the total we ought
to have is total M 50 that; when we
We have a supply for two hours con-
tinuous firing. and I believe when the
matter is reviewed that will probably
toucse~ Se fhe jadsment jths mattef that will prevail
On the question of ammunition Short
age, Mr.. Sherley made the following
frank statement:
For continental United States the es-
hour Of f IRE. 81" we ~" have sun' Of lGr tSst Sae
amount that is deemed requisite some
nn,.rs 1hlnE over 6s 7s per cent .f for guns and
we have over 100 per cent. for the light
er, guns it runs down.
=. For the 1i.inch guns the ammunition
Is nov under manufacture, because
there have been no H-inch guns vet
mounted in continental United States.
We have but one 16-inch gun and the |
carriage for It will be finished this SUM
that is altogether most desirable sit
uation regarding ammunition
Underestimate Amounts.
Mr.. sherley said 1t was possible that |
the amounts asked for ammunition were
not large enough. but again we are
presented with relative propositions and
the things hammered at the COMMITTEES
as being the most important have been
those relating to mobile artillery and |
ammunition. aanna and In regard to the de-
phppnes ne W. have ishss uaderaken ana the ts
follow the judgment Of these men as |
to the relative Importance Of matters"
On On the whole Mr.. sherley contended !
States afford reasonable protection, and
that this country Is as we'll fortified, |
all things considered. as any other AS
to the feared bombardment Of cities. he |
we have not fortified all Of the
cities. and probably shall never do So It
would be possible for an enemys fleet
to to-, nombard them, Providing you as
posing of our naval, forces. putting our |
ing away our mines''
s,a, Insisting that the people Of the United
matters affecting the army and navy,
and that this will never become a mill
tary. nation. Mr.: sherley said he took |
nor was he in sympathy with the ex.
tremists who demanded militarism for |
this country.