Evening journal., 1915-10-30
SATURDAY OCT. 80. 1915
SENATOR duPONT AND PREPAREDNESS.


THRouGH the observance Of Waterways and Ma
tonal Defense Day. the carnival at Delaware
City ceased to be local function and became one of
national and international Importance II was
raised to that dignity by the letter Of Col. Henry
dupont senior United States Senator from Delaware
and the addresses by Willard Salisbury junior United
States Senator from Delaware: Congressman Thomas
W. Miller Of this State and Congressman j. Hampton
Moore Of Pennsylvania. The committee in charge Of
the carnival is to be congratulated that it succeeded in
making what was originally meant to be munici-
pal frolic such serious useful purpose as
that which featured Waterways and National Defense
Day. The addresses delivered by Senator Salisbury
and Congressman Miller and Moore interesting and
Illuminating Not more So however than was the let
ter by dupont and read by the secretary
of the Board Of Trade. II listened to with cour-
eous attention and evoked many expressions Of favor
able comment
In that letter Senator DUPONT made It clear that he
is now. and always has been strong advocate OF the
adoption and the carrying of an adequate and
proper plan Of national defense, including the con
structon Of the shipgoing the Delaware
and the Chesapeake bays. Quite properly he called at
enton to the fact that in 1907 during his first term in
the United States Senate he before the Commit
tee on Rivers and Harbors OF the House Of Representa-
tives and made oral argument of the Della
ware and Chesapeake ship canal bill then pending
Many Deawareans who have followed the work OF
duPcnt called attention, in emphatic phrase to the
many economic advantages which would result from
the construction and operation OF such a waterway
Nor have such persons forgotten that the senior Sem
ator at that time laid special stress upon the great
value OF that canal in OF with foreign ma
ton In addition he spoke with forceful drectness Of
the deenceess condition OF the United States in event
Of attack by a hrst-class foreign Power THAT the
canal not acquired and enlarged at that time and
that proper steps not taken to put the national
defenses in proper condition was due TO no fault of
his II his advice had followed there would have
been soan excuse for the presentday agitation in favor
Of preparedness.
That Senator dupont like MANY other nuhlic mo,
Of prominence reioces that last public opinion is
neng aroused TO the necessity Of doing something
really worth while looking to national defense was
shown clearly by his letter the Delaware City Board
OF lfade which has had the carnival in charge His
whole-hearted sympathy with the inland ,atervo,s
movement was reiterated and emphasized
Without going into the details of the cost of con-
suncuon OF the proposed canal OF explaining ,,i
length the many commercial advantages which yould
accrue therefrom everybody must perceive at glance
mat the defense Of the Delaware would be immeasura-
py strengthened II the vessels of the United States
in the Chesapeake waters could pass through cana,
to assist in repeng attacks made on the Delaware
bay,r Senator DUPONT wrote in conclusion "In tim.
Of it could easily happen that ocean communica
ton between these two important estuaries might b,
Interrupted eel oy reason OF the absence OF our owl
feet In other waters because Of naval disaster
In either contingency any hostile expedition operating
either the line Of the Delaware or on that Of tn
Chesapeake could be met by the combined forces o
submarines and other naval vessels assigned TO tn
local defense Of each Of these great bays which wou
be quite impossible il canal in existence
When Congress meets the citizens generally of tn
States who specially interested upon economi
grounds and for patriotic reasons well thei
congressional DELEGATIONS in Washington should max
determined efforts to legislation for the con
struction of ship-going canal between the Delaware
and Chesapeake bays"
1t viii be seen. therefore, that eight years sena
or dupont pleaded the OF the canal and Of
uona preparedness in Washington. 1t is indeed
pleasing to note that Senator salisbury Congressman
@iher' congressman Moore and many others now are
out IN open advocacy Of the very thoughts he urged
inavaiiingly n 1907