The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-21
FOREIGN nations
MAPPING alaska
Coal Fields There Would Be
Extremely Valuable in
Wartime.
BY JACK %JuNeMEYER.

BY JACK JONGMeNEH.
SEWARD, Alaska, Aug. 21-Alaskan
coal, a big national asset, is also o
grave national menace.
Unless properly protected at Resur.
roction Bay and Cook Inlet, the fine
steaming fuel of the Matanuska and
Nenana fields tapped by the govern.
ment railroad will be rich bait for an
invading enemy.
A hostile fleet from the Orient would
want no finer base OF operations
against the Pacific Coast than Resur.
rection Bay, large and deep enough
to float half a dozen navies.
Linked with coal mines by rail. such
a harbor becomes o tremendous war
factor.
Confidential agents of every foreign
government interested In the Northern
Pacific have been closely watching de.
yelopments on the government rail-
road here and preparation to tap this
new coal supply.
Japanese, Russian, English and Ger.
man agents are known to be here now
completing the most detailed surveys
of the entire region.
Within a few months steel will have
been laid from Seward to Anchorage
to the Matanuska coal district, and
terminal facilities provided the wharv-
es.
Alaskan coal thus becomes the key
to the preparedness program for the
West and North coasts, not alone as
a ource Of supply for u own navy,
but as a prize that must be protected.
Fortified possession of Resurrection
Bay as a naval base whence submar-
ines and, fast cruisers might issue
f%ull.fueled would make the North Pa
cific u%ntenable for any antagonist.
Seward will either become a we'll
fortified navy base for Uncle Sam or
for his enemy in time Of trouble.
Fertilization problems, according to
government officers with whom I have
talked are not particularly difficult.
Upper Cook Inlet, where the United
States railroad skirts tidewater, Us
we'll as the entrance to Resurrection
Bay, would have to be mined and pro-
tected with guns.
Glaciers, impossible for an army
afford flank protection on both sides
for Seward.
It is considerably nearer Seattle
and San Francisco than is Pearl Har.
Dor, the Hawaiian naval base. And
Its natural, inexhaustible coal supply,
only 200 miles away by rail. makes 1t
much more important point than Pearl
Harbor, government men assert.
Japan, in case Of friction with the
United States would undoubtedly send
her crusier fleet eastward along the
Aleutian Islands, planning to mike
her first supply port at Dutch Harbor
and thence striking at Resurrection
lay for a base from which to harass
Washington, Oregon and California.
Dutch Harhor, with Its deep wafer
port, fresh water supply, dock. ware
houses, coaling facilities and strategic
position In guarding the eastern Aleu-
tian passes, is another important link
in American coast defense.
It lies about half way between Japan
and California.
The property Of the North Ameri.
can Commercial Co., Dutch Harbor is
today a deserted "ghost town. Of Ber.
ing Sea.
The we'll preserved buildings, dock
and entire property could, I am 10
formed, be purchased by the govern.
ment for about $50, 900. Within two
weeks 1t could be converted into a
better supply base for the navy and
coast guard service than can be found
west of the mainland.
The navy already has q big wireless
station here.
During the last Japanese scare the
North American Commercial Co., want.
ed 100000 for its property.
Dutch Harbor. too, will become eth.
er the fortified naval base Of Uncle
Sam or Of his enemy In time of war.
That Is certain.
Coal business has ushered in the
need OF preparedness for Alaska not
alona to protect fts vast riches. huf RI