The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-25
One Hours Ammunition.

One HOURS ammunition
In the debate upon the fortifca-
tons bill in the House Mr.. SHERLEY
OF Kentucky said that the American
people pursue peace as a passion
That is an oratorical way Of saying
that the American people cannot o n
ceive Of the United States being en-
gagged in a great var and that they
regard peace as the destiny Of the
country because IL is 5000 sea miles
from Europe and 5000 sea miles from
Asia. Complscency is not passion.
SO 1t becomes necessary az times
t o rouse the American people TO an
understanding OF the contrast between
their available military and
those OF powerful nations with whom
war Is a means of territorial aggran-
dizement and economic expansion.
Given the provocation or excuse for
hostilities. one OF these nations might
decide overnight to take advantage Of
the unpreparedness Of the United
States and teach II n lesson In modern
warfare. Mr.. SHERLEY was quite right
when he said II know of no time
when there is more need for sober
thought. for serious thinking, than
there Is to-day" But what n confess
sion Mr.. Shelley had TO make when
he admitted that for the central
United States the estimate for am
munition was of sufficient amount TO
supply all the Tcoast artillery guns
for n hour Of fire" While 1t may he
granted that the need would not arise
for all the coast defence guns to be in
action NJ the same time, the statement
is nevertheless disquieting. for a very
serious shortage OF ammunition IL con
fessed. Fortifications and cannon con
sumo in the making a vast amoun of
money, and ammunition is cheap In
comparison. What egregious folly Il
is. then, TO have on hand no more
shells than would suffice for a few
hours Of defence.
Representative SHERLEY himself IL
i'i ~ W dNihf ~ tue bi'hM warn
state Of the country's defences. II
his eyes were wide open and hts
senses alert he would no. talk thus:
Even assuming that a hostile feet
could dispose OF our naval forces, put
our submarines out OF business and
clear away mines, it IL possiol. that .,
certain cities they might be able, II they
got in at a certain place on tho map
where there IL wa'er enough to float
them. 10 lombard a par, OF a city and
he out OF range Of our guns
This IL the sort OF logic that makes
efficient army and navy officers grieve.
What bearing does 1t have upon the
stock Of shell ammunition which the
Notifications should have? our coast
line Is Of vast extent and the fleet
cannot be ubiquitous. our subma-
rlnes are far from what they should
be in construction and equipment,
and the training Of the submarine
personnel leaves a great deal 70 he
desired. Clearing away mines j. the
business Of a modern feet, lombard
meut of fortified coast cities by a
resourccful enemy is therefore prac-
ticable. Mr.. SHIRLEY is reasoning In
a circle with his eyes half closed.
The obligation of Congress to pro
vide the coast artillery with shell,
not for an action of one or two hours
hut for days of hard fighting, cannot
no evadcd by prcSuming that the
UnitOi States fleet will always he
on the spot to whip the enemy, II
should instead he assumed that the
enemy will arrive in force 10 begin n
bombardment Of any fortified coast
city within the range of its guns, n
consideration thai calls for an ampl"
supply Of ammunition AT all times
for an emergency. If il is not TO ne
provided there would seem TO he no
sound reason for keeping M the forti-
ticatiOns. What a penny wise pound
foolish scheme has been our policy
of preparedness for defence!