Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-01-15
GUAM FORTIFIED
MAY KEEP FOES
FROM HONOLULU

IF Guam were well fortified. the
idea of any nation taking Honolulu or
bombarding the coast might be dis
missed This is the opinion credited
to an officer OF authority in the coast
defenses by New York despatch.
The opinion came as an argument
for making Guam the strongest link
in the chain of defenses from San
Francisco to Manila. To make it i'm
pregnahle. it is said, would require
but 5000 troops and half dozen ID
inch rifles, the same number OF NOR
tar pits and "a ,12-inch guns. With
this garrison and equipment 1t is said
Guam would be another Gibraltar"
Speaking of the defense of the Pa
cific, the officer quoted above said
1T is true that Pearl Harbor in the
Hawaiian islands has been strength
ened with Notifications so that It is
expected the troops there would be
able to hold out until aid reached
them from this country. Also that
Pearl Harbor, lying as it does midway
between Alaska and Samoa dominates
what may be termed the friendly
waters of the Pacific. .:-> :: &
But many Of us who haze gone
over the matter, and who realize how
much coast defense must denend on
the navy. feel that Pearl Harbor, be.
ing on large island where a landing
force may overwhelm the garrison by
superior numbers, is not quite strong
enough to be relied on absolutely as a
line of defense. And so we turn to
the island OF Guam, which is rrac,
tically the same distance from the
Philippines as it Is from TaHan. and
is, so situated that 1t would threaten
the communication of any force at
taking our Pacific coast or the Ha-
waiian islands. Also. nature has made
this island practically impregnable~ If
any serious attempt is made to defend
it. .-..--. - ...~..~. f..
Guam is only some 10 miles wide
and about 90 long Surrounded as it
is by coral reefs. ships and boats can
only approach il in few places where
streams of fresh water have cut chan.
nels as they flowed out II sea: Be
sides San Luis D'Apra there are only
three or four ports. none of which can
accommodate anything like n feet.
San Luis is protected by coral
reefs, which make the entrance to the
harbor exceedingly difficult even to
the pilot familiar with those waters.
Back of it is elevated land reaching
above 500 feet in height. On which
could be placed the big rifles and NOR
tars that would control not only San
Luis, but also the approaches from
the other side. Mortars in one or two
other places where: large shins might
come up would effectively back up the
coral reefs in preventing. their near
Ill. III. .:..
For the landing narties in small
boats field pieces could he used. Com.
could be established over
the island by means of roads. several
Of which are already built. Six
men would be ample for
every purpose. and in time OF war II
would be possible for them to procure
all the food and water necessary right
on the island. 49,. ~. .~=~=:.
But aside from the fact that it can
be rendered practically impregnable,
Guam eXcels as naval base because
Of its advantageous position. dominat-
ing the trade route between Hawaii
in its harbor could only be blocked
with the greatest difficulty. There is
no anchorage of San Luis,
and blockading SQUADRON would have
to sail up and down outside under its
own steam. There are no nearby ha.
vens Of refuge for ships. ..' h.. !.
Three Days From Manila. -. ~ i
The best way to realize the value