El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-08-18

man government is not acquainted
with this situation, even TO the
smallest details2 Be assured that the
kalser's military experts have 1T all
figured out In All likelihood they
have better and more complete maps
Of all parts of The United States
particularly Of our maritime lituoral
and adjacent territory-than our own
war department possesses
War. you see IS Germany's bust
ness. We are mere amateurs in the
art For the present We can escape
destruction by hiding behind the pro
fscuTe skirts OF our European allies
DO is only they who save us. But We
are wonderful learners This war may
last four OF five years longer, and. If
so. the United states viii emerge
from 81 the greatest military power
iu the world.
But let us take another look at the
American HelEolaud II is i miles
northeast of Montauk point. and. as
already said, lies IN the very Jaws
of Long island sound If our fleet
We're smashed. one Of the first things
the enemy did would he to occupy
Block island and utilize II as a base
for submarines and air planes from
which to attack New York IT is IDEAL
Is adapted for the purpose
This. mind YOU. is possibility that
relates only TO attack from the sea
II sUpposes that there is no question
Of landing an army on our SHORES
such landing would be entirely
practicable today, but there is much
comfort in knowing that few
months from now We shall have
trained forces amply sufficient TO
drive into the ocean any fore VINO
might attempt to gain a fOOthOld on
our coast
Naval Defence Inadequate.
Naval attack, however might
find us without adequate means OF
defence. our fighting power in bat
tleships being hardly more than two
thirds that Of Germany It follows,
then, that the principal strategic out
post Of our chief port should be
adequately fortified Modern hlgh
power rifles could make it impossible
for enemy warships TO pass Block is
land. and they would cover all ap-
proaches to Montauk point.
One thing fairly safe TO assume is
that the navy department IS already
making ARA gemenrs with a view 70
occupying Block island for its own
defensive purpOses-ln particular as
an advanced base for our submarines.
Probably DO viii be utilized as base
for a section OF five undersea
In the northern part OF the island
(Which is five miles long and four
miles in greatest BREADTH is q big
lake known as the salt pond. IT has
an area Of about two thirds Of
square mile, and opens into the sea
through an entrance channel that has
been dredged TO q depth Of p feet
No better place of refuge and supply
for submarines could be imagined
Good Submarine Base.
The Enlistment Of such base is
neither expensive nor difficult All
that is required is well equipped
machine shop. for repair work on the
boats when they need 1T; an electrical
plant Ito charge their storage bat
/ teries-thouEh when necessary they
can do this for themselves by reVers-
ing their gasoline enginesD. two or
I three big tanks Of fuel oil. and quar-
/ tiers on shore for housing the crews
Submarines. however, have not
proved effective in attack upon war
: ships during the present conflict
all events. not since very early IN
the war. If a German fleet We're to
approach the mouth Of the sound. IL
would be adequately protected against