The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-08-15
BY JOSEPH p. AMIN.

|
bardment from any fleet mounting
l5-inch guns such as the new British
and German superdreadnaughts carry
With these guns ships can stay out
side Of the extreme range of our out
| ermost batteries defending New York
harbor-Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook
and still throw shells into the United
States sub-Treasury building in Wall
street
This is the situation which coast
defense experts now face, and which
Congress will be strongly urged to
remedy at next session. Every ef-
fort has been made to conceal the
eruesome possibilities of the situation.
Another defect in our coast defen-
ses. and one which has been pointed
out and preached upon for years. lies
in the lack of protection of lower
Chesapeake Bay from attack by an
invading fleet. Because of lack of
Notifications. Cape Charles or Cape
Henry. the gateway to the inner Bay.
the vast railroad facilities and supply
sources around Norfolk can be de-
stroyed by An invading fleet without
risk from coast defense guns, to say
nothing of the opportunity to estab-
lish a base of supplies for an expedi-
tionary force of invaders within a
protected harbor.
Facts Kept Secret.
Bay has been known for years. the
vulnerability of New York to bonn
bardment by indirect fire is a COM
parative!y' recent development and
one which will be brought to the at
tention of Congress publicly for the
first time next winter. 1t was brought
to the attention of the military af-
fairs and Qualifications committees of
the House and Senate last session,
but absolute secrecy was imposed by
military officers, and the part of the
hearings which included this mill
tary secret was deleted when the hear
ings were printed.
The small armament leaders. among
them Chairman Hay, of the Military
Affairs Committee Of the House. in re-
fusing to remedy this defect adopted the
time-worn argument that our fleet could
prevent a hostile fleet from approaching
near to New York. The error in such
argument. according to military men. lies
to defend fortified points. but to prevent
l1iding of forces a unfortified points and
to maintain freedom of seas for COM
merce.
The theory of coast defenses Is to
render the points defended virtually in
dependent OF naval protection. except
through mines and submarines, thus CIV
ing the naval forces greater liberty of
action in defending unprotected parts OF
coasts and operating on the, offensive
gainst hostile fleets which, IL permitted
the sweep Of the seas, would effectively
blockade the country by destroying its
commerce
Generally speaking. there is less to De
done to bring the coast defenses of the
United States up to first-class state OF
than any other part OF our
defense, army or navy. Were
the two defects pointed out remedied.
very little money would be required to
make desired changes in other coast for
titications. provided-and herein is the
crux of the matter-the coast defenses are ,
to be depended upon only for such de-
Tense as coast defenses should be re-
quired to afford
Primarily. this consists in preventing In
invading force from utilizing protected
harbors and advantageous points In the
coast line for the landing of an expedi-
tionary land force. and the releasing or
the navy for offensive action against con-
voying fleets and lines Of communication.
But the theory of the coast defense In |
wolves as equally important parts suf- |
iciently strong and mobile army to resist !
the landing of an expedi- |
.ionary force. provided such a force can |
each our shores. and sumciently large
navy to throw the greatest possible diff /
iculties in the way of an overseas ex- |
oeditionary force.
viii Increase Range.
The problem involved in the Smelling |
II New York City does not necessarily |
INVOLVE the reduction OF the forts pro-
Getting New York Harbor. Despite the
discrepancy in the size and caliber OF
he guns, ordnance experts insist that
With changes which the War Department /
las determined to make in their carri-
lges. our Finch coast defense guns
ehind concealed Notifications can COM
'ete on equal terms with the big 15-
nch guns. The l5-inch guns have a
ormal conditions. This is a greater dis
ance than from the horizon to the tar
et, and in firing at a small target such
s a concealed battery, greater dis
ance than the percentage of possible
its would justify.
Our Pinch coast defense guns on dis ,
ppearing carriages are being remount- ,
d to add five degrees above the hori-
ontaI to their highest possible angle.
tilizing fof this purpose five degrees
Glow the horizontal which are not nee
ssary in view of the long range fight
lg which the big guns have brought in.
~ adding these five degrees above the
orizontal. the range Of the Finch guns
re increased to from approximately H.
% yards to something over 5000 yards.
hitch is regarded as the extreme range
I which a big gun. mounted on an I'M
table naval platform, can compete with
cast defense guns. and even at that
ange the advantage is with the coast
efense 12-inch gun. IL
This Is the lesson Of the Dardanelles
ampaign. but the sturdy resistance !
hich the land batteries In the Darda-
Giles have put up against the powerful
lied fleet does not bear any note OF re-
to New York City as far as =,
direct bombardment is concerned.
For while the curvature Of the earth's
lrface has the effect Of restricting the
lnge of fire between shore batteries and
ttacking ships and gives the advantage
the shore battery as presenting q =
mailer target and q steady platform.
lis protection does not apply where a 4
Zip out of range Of shore batteries and
it'll target rs lrage as the city Of A
ew York can be heeled over on Its side :,
nd throw shells at will by indirect FIRE
to an unfortified town. And that Is
hat is possible in the present situation, A
Thile an attacking feet might be un-
Die to capture New York from the sea s
de. It would be able to virtually destroy
e city without coming within range Of
re protecting batteries.
Garrison Gives Facts.
The attitude of the War Department .
ay best be taken from Secretary Gar.
sons replies to series of-questions on
u subject:
ct. thara an, ~,,r un>urt~A a. <h.t