The Washington times., 1915-03-30
GARRISON PLANNING
BOARD OF REVIEW
Favors Commission to Improve
Organization Of Scheme OF
Coast Defense of Country.

Revelations of the weakness of the
United States in respect TO coast de-
fcnses and the dcfcnses of the coast
fortifications from attacks on the land
side and O purpose to improve those
defenses are responsible for the or
ganization by the secretary Of war of
board of review composed of the ablcst
officers of the army.
1t Is the purpose OF the War Depart
ment under it's present head Mr.. Gar
rison. TO improve the coast defense sys-
TEN aud coordinate Its activities. The
board of review, which was established
by an order some weeks ago, is meet
ing weekly and is giving careful thought
to the problems of how to strengthen
the coast defcnses in themselves and
to make better provision for their pro-
lection from the land side.
Tho war has served to call attention
more emphatically than ever to this
countrys need OF keeping the coast
there has been much discussion whether
the coast defenscs were adequate.
Among army mon there is practically
but one opinion. That Is. that while
many OF til" coast defense works In
the enselves are in good shape they have
almost no protection against land at
tacks. Without such protection they
could easily Il" taken from the rear
Recent developments III lonE-ranSe
heavy ordnance, moreover. have raised
the question whether this country wr1
not be compelled to equip its coast
defcnscs with bigger and longcr-ranS
guns.
Also Canal Zone.
The board of review is giving thor
| ought study TO the defense system mo-
| only .of the coasts proper. but also oI
| the Canal Zone, Hawaii the Philippines
| and tho oNcrsea territory. The boarc
| is composed of the chief OF staff chic
| of the war college. chief OF the mobile
| army division. chief of coast artillery
| chief Of engineers. and chief OF ORD
| nance.
Secretary Garrison has referred tc
| the board ploblems relating 70 new oi
| modified projects OF coast defense, con
| tinental and oversee, The board is also
| expected to originate new projects. The
| objects of the formation of the board
however, are not limited to coast dc
Tense Improvement. Secretary CARR
/ son may refer to tho board any impor
tant army problems he sees fit.
| The national land defense board
| Fort Wadsworth. \. y, and seVera
other boards of similar nature, eaCi
| considering defensive problems In MN
tary strategy for the Coastlines. water
ways. and inland, have all been or ar ar
about to be disbanded and sent to III
scrap heap by Secretary Garrison.
Records Come Here.
The records and work OF all Of thes
boards will be sent here to be retaine'
in the files of the war Department
board Of review.
The new plan has the advantage tha
when the Secretary Of War wants ac
vice on any Of the big problems befor
tho army he may refer the matter I
the board of review. have II threshe
over by the board. and get rccommer
dation. This is deemed preferable
referring questions to individual officer
. When 1t comes to legislation for IT
reorganization of the army, that is al
; other matter. 1t will probably not I
| referred to the board of review. 1t
more properly for the consideration {
3 the general staff. The general STAFF
, now considering new and compr'
hensivc bill for the reorganization
, tho army at the request OF Senate
Chamberlain, chairman of the Senat
Military Committee.