Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1916-01-29
Million Men Needed to De-
fend Atlantic Coast From
Invasion; War Depart
ment Very Frank in Sen
ate Committee
NAVY NOW USELESS
TO STOP INVASION
We Couldn't Hold Sea 80
Days; Pacific Coast Eas-
ier to Defend, But Needs
Six Divisions; Outside
DefenseS
lRepublican A. p. Leased Wirel

WASHINGTON, Jan 2S.-Whv a
force of at least 1,025,0O0 men would
he needed to protect the vital areas"
of the United States against a strong
enemy was detailed to the senate
military committee today by Lieuten-
ant Colonel W. G. Haan. member
of the war department board which
spent several years working out de-
fense plans.
The board visited and studied mi
nutely every part of the coast line
1t reported in 1913, but it's findings
have been held confidential by the
department.
TO protect the various areas. from
Portland, Me, to Norfolk, Va. Colonel
Ham added, the board had concluded
that total of 3S0.00O mobile troops
would be necessary, exclusive of the
coast artillery supports and battery
personnel
The needs of the Pacific coast he
gave as three divisions in the Puget
Sound region; one at the mouth of
the Columbia river: three at San
Francisco and one at Los Angeles
and San Diego Six divisions should
be held in reserve. he said
How large an army would these
plans involye?" asked Senator Cham
berlain.
"One million and twenty-five thou
sand men to protect the critical
areas Colonel Haan replied.
Ships could lie outside of Boston,
Colonel Haan said, in discussing har-
Dor defenses, and destroy the navy
yard. the state house the Fore river
works, and the business district with
out being in range of the American
guns, He recommended that eight
l6-inch rifles for direct fire and 16
12-inch long range mortars be added
to the defense there, all with a range
of more than 10000 yards, against
the maximum range of $4,000 yards of
the present guns.
House Committee
Conclusions of the general staff of
the army as to the countrys require
ments for adequate defense were de-
lineated by its members today before
the house military committee which is
considering the administrations army
increase measures. They held that one
million men-500, 600 regulars and 500,-
GOO would he needed along
| the Atlantic coast and the Gulf from
Penobscot Maine to Mobile Ala that
If takes a vear to train = soldiar. tbo+
arsenals and sunnlv denots sbould he
situated well in from the coasts and
at least 200 miles away from Canada or
| Mexico; that the Philippines were not
essential to defense; and that the dan
ger points from foreign eXpeditions
were the North Atlantic cities San
| Francisco and Puget Sound
"The United States sbould whin an
enemy at the waters edge" Major An
| drew Moses told the committee sJf
a foreign power believes we can do so
the chances of war are less There
| should be one million men urenared
as a defending force for protection of
| the coast against invasion. prenared
| against possible loss of control of the
sea Great Britain's navy would 81
| outnumber us now that we would lose
control of the sea very soon. With a
combination of the navies of two now
! erful governments against rs we would
not be able to hold the sea thirt,
| days"
! Major Moses and other general staff
! officers favored universal training il
| peace time and universal service ir
war time.
''In event of war" said Captain c. E
kilbourne, sit is not likely that ther,
! would he any landing of troops stimuli
| taneOuSly with the outbreak of war
| If we had war with England we would
| have very little time: Germany. a long
| er time: France. whose navy is a, littl,
ahead of ours-well, we'd have hope.
| Frances navy might never arrive. Bu
now ana ior some time TO come th'