Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-04
ASKS $4,000 TROOPS
TO GARRISON CANAL
Says Strip Would Be at Mercy
of Enemy Other
wise. BIZ.

The Panama canal is at the mercy of
foes of the United States unless this
country maintains an adequate mobile
force on the isthmus for its protection.
Brig. Gen Clarence r. Edwards. COM
handing the canal garrison. told the
Senate military affairs committee yes
terday. He said that fixed fortif1ca-
lions, no matter how strong. could not
guard the Canal Zone, and that at least
rs, 200 men, or more than one-fourth
of the present strength of the regular
army, would be needed for it's protec-
ton. He said:
"At a distance of from seventeen to
twenty miles from the axis of the canal
on the Pacific side the country is not
only free from jungle and the ordinary
tropical growths, but it is as open as
are parts of New Mexico and lower
California. There an enemy Is onered
every facility for landing mobile troops
and reaching by easy marches the vitals
of the canal-the Mirafores and Pedro
Miguel locks. The most casual refiec-
ton by any military student familiar
with the facts should show that we
must never let an enemy approach
within ten miles of the locks.
Would Enlist Civilians.
THE contemplated permanent force
of civil employees is from 1000 to $500
whites and 10000 blacks. In the event
of war likely to involve the canal 1t
is probable that many of them would
volunteer I recommend legislation.
therefore, that shall require all male
civilian employees of the canal of suit
able age and physical condition to oD-
ligate themselves to volunteer, and IN
preparation for this to oifer them 1aseths:
training during the first two years OF
their employment and Thereafter LOT
ten days each year"
Taking up the question OF coast oe-
fense Gen. Edwards said:
Existing fortifications cover many
places where no possible enemy would
attack; places liable to attack are GOV,
Improperly armed All these useless
fortifications should be abandoned.
Important harbors and cities like
Boston, New York. Philadelphia ana
be nut as far as possible beyond the
thought of capture. All others snould
be left undefended, so far as permanent
works are concerned.
Pacific Coast Defense.
ION the Pacific coast only San FRAN
c;sco and the Columbia river and Puget
sound region should be defended-but
these should be completely defended"
Gen. Edwards proposed total army
of 100000 regulars with the colors.
hacked I'D by a reserve system which
would bring 1t up to 100000 within six
years.
Situation in Philippines.
The Philippines could be seized by an
enemy with the exception of Corrigi-
dor Island, which would hold Manila
bay open to American ships and closed
to enemy craft, Gen. Edwards said.
Guantanamo. the naval base in Cuba,
he thought utterly indefensible from
land attack, and advocated strongly
fortified base at Stamina bay, Santo
Domingo.
Gen. Edwards proposed that enlist
ment in the regular army be on the
basis of two years with the colors and
four in reserve, but believed a soldier
should be able to earn his discharge
proved eficient. To provide an ade-
puate recruiting service he suggested
that postmasters be made recruiting
agents and roll keepers Of the reserve.
He was confident q force Of 100000
men could be kept filled up by such a
system.