The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-04-06

as: mortars, 40S. Total, 1898.
1.-THE mine defenses are elaborate
and practically completed for all ex
listing fortificntions and provision
will be made for mine defenses II
connection with new Notifications n.
soon as the emplacement OF guns
| make such action desirable"
Reserve Ammunition.
As to reserve ammunition the re-
port says:
IA review OF the subject in the
light OF the European war caused
the board to very greatly increase the
amount Of such reserve ammunition
thought to be requisite. and II has
submitted this year an estimate oil
three millions OF dollars, with con-
tract authorization Of three and one
half millions to be expended toward
securing new reserve. The COM
mittee has allowed in It's entirety the
estimate submitted, making an
appropriation in effect Of six and
one-half millions for this purpose,
as against previous annual approprt-
atoms Of 100000"
In addition to the new guns. the
bill provides for the expenditure OF
$750.0O0 to purchase the rights Of
the radio-dynamic torpedo control
devised by John Hays Hammond, Jr.
Acceptance is conditioned, however,
on the report Of Joint board Of
army and navy officers after q test
for which the bill provides.
Gun Emplacement.
The report shows that four OF the
new sixteen-inch guns will be en-
placed at Cape Henry, Va, two at
Rockaway Beach, N. Y. others nj
San Francisco and San Pedro. Calf.
Long range twelve-inch guns will &c
to New York. Boston and either Port
land. Ore. or San Francisco.
The full estimate for the insular
possessions were allowed by the COM
nittee as were the war departments
figures for additional mobile artil-
lery including field guns. In addition
the committee inserted an appropria-
ton for $1.O00.000 to provide tools
and fixtures ~ commercial plants
to equip them for the manufacture OF
government ammunition. It Is pro
vided, however, that the prices paid
for ammunition or other material
purchased shall not be more than
twenty-five per cent in excess OF the
governments actual estimate cost Of
manufacture.
Explanation Made.
Chairman Sherley presented the
following explanation Of the purposes
of seacoast defenses in his report:
ut Is the popular belief that our
Notifications are designed to protect
all the shores Of continental United
States and the insular possessions
from invasion by hostile force and
that they are adequate only to the
extent that they would prevent such
invasion. No greater misconception
Of their function could be had. The
author of this report Is unaware OF
any responsible military authority
ever suggesting such purpose. Ger
tainly the cost of such numerous for
tifications to accomplish such pur-
pose would be beyond the purse Of
even this the richest OF all nations.
"But though this Is known by all
students of the subject, criticism Is
continuously aimed at our system of
fortifications because Of the absurd
assumption that they should accom-
plish the impossible; while many,
properly believing that our fortifica-
lions are excellent but with the same
mistaken view as to their purpose.
fail to appreciate the need for other
means OF defense.
Chief Purposes.
1.-THE chief and real purposes to be
served by our Notifications are to
protect from bombardment lare CEN
ters of population where the damage
that might otherwise be inflicted
could not be thought from q military
point Of view admissible: to protect
from destruction establishments OF
military value, such as navy yards,
coaling stations, arsenals, etc.; to
deny to an enemy the use Of import
harbors as pnse for offensive op-
erations against either our fleet or
land forceE; to preserve such har-
bors as a base OF refuge for our own
feet and permit 1t to be used in Its
most efficient way by seeking out and
Engaging the enemy; to afford refuge
and protection to our shipping; and
to compel the enemy In order to
achieve results of Importance to re-
sort to an expedition involving the
transportation of troops across the
seas and effect their landing at some
place not possessing the strategic
value had by the places fortified.
"Of necessity many coast towns
would have to be left without such
defense, where the damage that
might be done In the event Of con.
troll OF tho sea being lost by our
fleet, would be deplorable but would
mot be OF such character as would
really impair the nations well-beins
or resisting power.
Qualifications are deemed suf-
fcient when they serve these pur-
poses and the prevention of invasion
then becomes the duty Of the mobile
army. They are deemed sufficiently
strong II they compel the enemy tc
land In order to effect their cap
ture."
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