Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-02-04
PLENTY OF Guns
PROTECT CANAL

COL. COCKTAILS CONFIDENT.
Builder of Great Waterway Tells Con-
gress Committee That Big Guns De-
Tending 1t Compare Favorably With
Best on Any Foreign Warship-Equip-
ped With Five Modern Forts.
Colonel George w. Goethals, builder
of the Panama canal and governor of
the canal Zone, told q subcommittee of
the house committee on appropriations
that the guns defending the canal were
the equal of the best guns on any for
eign warship. He denied the assertion
that foreign ships could demolish the
Panama forts while keeping out of
range of the guns mounted on the ca
nal d%efenses. High ranking officials Of
the army sustained his statements.
Colonel Cocktails appeared before the
subcommittee with Major General j.
T.. Aleshire. quartermaster general;
Brigadier General William Crozier,
chief of ordnance, and Brigadier Gen
eral Erasmus NJ. Weaver, chief Of coast
artillery. to discuss the items in the
appropriation bill having to do with
Notifications. Representative Fitzger-
aid, chairman of the subcommittee,
conducted the discussion on canal forti-
tications.
The statements by Colonel Goethals
were made in executive session behind
closed doors, and in the hearing it was
enjoined on those present that what
he said was to be regarded as conf
Dental.
The subject of chief interest was
whether the canal could be defended
against attack i'll the emergency of
war. To questions asked in a long and
painstaking series by Chairman Fitz-
gerald. Colonel Cocktails told the com
mittee that the plans for the protec-
ton of the canal were ample to make
its defense as sure as was humanity
possible.
Five Modern Forts.
There are five modern forts there,
constructed from plans made by the
engineer corps. With the strongest work
known in modern defense construction
The placing OF these forts has been
the study OF joint boards of army and
navy officers OF the highest expert
standing. In these Notifications, wher
complete, are to be one ~SiXteen-inct
gun, ten f~ourteen-inch guns, twenty
eight twelve-inch mortars and twelve
siX-inch guns. In all there are EN-
braced in the plan for the defense OF
the two approaches to the canal zone
tifty-one guns, all of the highest power
employed in coast defense.
The six inch guns are placed where
they serve as auxiliary to the mine
field. a very important element of de
Tense at both approaches. These si1
inch guns are to be used to command
the mine fields and drive off small
boats that might attempt to SWEEP
them.
In all his statements in regard tt
the Notifications at Panama Colone
Goethals had the assistance Of the gen
eral officers who were with him. A
the outset Of the hearing Chairman
Fitzgerald old them that they were al
responsible for the work to be done or
the bill and that every item should
have their joint attention and mos
painstaking care because of the vita
Importance Of the canal as a military
base entering into the strength and eff
fective operation of the feet.
The matter of trails along the zone
so that cavalry, field artillery and in
fantry might move rapidly for the pro
lection of the canal from attack by
land; the placing of more searchlights
to make the coast artillery guns more
effective; the development Of the tor
pedo defense Of both Colon and Pana
ma; the provision OF larger and better
equipped yards for submarines and the
%stationinS Of a larger fleet Of these
vessels at both ends of the canal were
fully discussed. and provision for them
it is declared, will appear in the bill il
dAupIc dluOuulS 1OT all WOrk along
these lines that can be accomplished
during the coming year..
To the question whether the runs
now at the canal would match those
that might be sent against them in the
event of "a Colonel Goethals replied
that he thought they We're equal to any
such guns.
DO you think" asked Mr.. Fitzger.
aid, that the big guns of foreign war.
ships could stand off and reach us and
demolish our forts and guns without
u being able to reach them?'
mo. | don't" replied Colonel Goe-
thals. Our guns are of equal range,
so far as our information goes"
Guns of Large CaIiber.
The explanation was made by Gen.
eral Crozier that the seacoast guns at
Panama were Of as large caliber as
~ <br% ,~@,l3 H. HILL = ---l