The Delta independent., 1917-05-04


States coast guard service, contain
true stories of valiant deeds, written
briefly and without boasting, thai
equal any recital of stern duty well
done in the records of either Of the
great armed services of the country.
Harder Than in Spanish War.
The work which the revenue cutters
are doing today Is much harder than
that which they did so valiantly and
effectively when this country was Al
war with Spain. In that conflict al
few of the cutters were used to guar
mine fields laid in the approaches tc
our harbors, but most of them were
used for patrol and in part blockade
service of the coast of Cuba. Today
these cutters, which in 1896 because
of their service were compelled to hug
the shore, are now in the open sea
watching for submarines, ready to give
them battle and at the same time 70
notify by the air routes the destrOJers
and the battleships of the approach OF
the enemy.
These cutters of ours that are pa
trolling the seas are taking chances.
1t has been asked whether or not they
will be effective against enemy sub
marines because the cutters. some OF
which are as ancient as they are hon
orable, are not as fast as the law OF
Logging it, on the seas demands in this
modern day.
There seems to be little fear IN
Washington that these vessels will not
do their duty up to the handle, and lit
tie greater fear that one of them will
not be able to cope with a submarine
If II appears above the surface to give
battle. One of our coast guard v'>s-
sells can stand a good many shells
without going TO the bottom unless, Of
course, one of the projectiles shall hif
vital place below the water line.
When ii is travelling on the surfacc
submarine uses its guns, and not its
torpedo tubes, which are for service
under water While the coast guard
vessel can stand up after being wound
ed, such is not the case with the sub
marine, for the U-boat is frail ceea-
ture and one small projectile well
placed will do for it. Moreover. s,pw
as the cutters are they can make as
good time as the average submarine
can make when travelling on the sur
face. The speed of a submarine uh-
der the water is four or five knots less
than when travelling above it.
Count on Much From Alaska.
Alaska, as the Ordinary geo
graphically located" resident of the
United States looks at IT, is n long way
OFF. but out of Alaska the war depart
ment expects much to come in the way
OF high-class men and material for the
great army which is to be raised for
service in the present war.
Alaska Is hardy country. The
men who live there, or who have seen
service there. are men who have met
life in both Its harsh and in Its ap-
pealing features. Alaska, however, is
recognized as being rugged rather than
harsh and rugged characteristics are
soldier-making characteristics.
The government has been ut work in
Alaska for a great many years. 1t has
been represented there by soldiers and
civilians. Men of the service and of
civil life together have built roads and
trails through the great territory in
order to make the means of communi-
cation easy through country the face
Of which ut one time seemed to be
set forbiddingly against access and
transportation endeavor.
For twenty years in Alaska an army
officer has been stationed and for the
greater part of that time he has been
at the head of the board of road COM
missioners engaged in the construc-
ton of wagon roads. bridges, trails
and military and post roads under the
direction of the secretary of war.
Col. Wilds p. Richardson, U. s A..
has been president of this board of
commissioners for long time. Now
with war upon US Ii seems certain that
the field of operations of Colonel Rich
ardson will be changed from the great
territory of the United States to the
field of military operations. Nearly
all the colonies of the United States
service today before long will be wear
ing the stars of brigadier or major
general.
Men Alaska Can Furnish.
The nature OF the Alaskan territory,
like that OF all virgin and semi-virgin
NpuhtiieS' hhuhes u u hhe utiu lof III"
fostering of manhood. 1t seems likely
that from Alaska there will come min
ers. and road builders. blasters. trench
diggers, chasm spanners, and men gen
orally used to the overcoming Of nat
ural obstacles. to n service already vir-
tually equipped without much prelim
mary trimming for that kind of field
work which seems to be inseparable
from the methods of modern warfare.
IL Is to he Wnndnrnd Il tho A An,nrI-