The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-03-01
MOTOR PATROLFOR
COAST ADVOCATED
Franklin D. Roosevelt Says Two
Months Work viii Give
Some Protection.

That work should begin at once
on the organization and training
Of coast defense patrol service IL
the declaration which has been made
by Franklin d. Roosevelt, Assistant
Secretary Of the Navy.
To develop a patrol which would
provide a reasonable measure Of pro-
lection to five OF the chief lanes Of
travel from Atlantic ports OF this
country would require two months OF
the hardest sort OF preparation, says
Mr.. Roosevelt.
To develop a patrol which will pro-
tect the entire Atlantic coast win
take certainly not less than six
months. IL adequate preparedness
for this defense is neglected then the
only course open is to leave parts
of the coast exposed and the lesser
ports closed while the defense patrol
is concentrated upon the major trade
routes.
The trade channels from Ports
mouth, Boston, New York, Norfolk
and the Gulf ports probably would
be selected for protection first-that
Is, IL no time avails before an energ-
ency to develop a complete coast pa
troll.
Prussian Schemes Known.
Mr.. Roosevelt refuses to discuss the Z
question whether naval experts ex-
pect. submarine activities within
American waters or when. 1t Is known
however, that the British admiralty
had knowledge Of the intention Of
the Prussians to operate submarines
in American waters before the U-53
appeared at Newport.
The British admiralty had knowl-
edge OF the merchant submarine
before she arrived, al
though they did not know that she
would prove to be a merchantmen.
They expected a submarine cruiser,
as in the case OF the U-53.
Warning Has Been Given.
The warning has also been given
that the Prussians will, when wealth
err and other conditions permit, OBJ
crate submarines in American waters.
That this would be an easy and profit
able thing for the Prussians to do Is
conceded. In the absence of an anti
submarine patrol on this side Of the
the Prussians could, by
sparing only a few submaeines from
the British war area, play such havoc
with shipping on this side OF the At
Iantic as to prove of the greatest
against England.
For instance, one or two such sub
marines could enter New York har-
Dor equipped with mine planters.
which can be used under water, and
jeopardize all shipping from New
York until mine sweepers could be
brought into play The operations of
the U-53 on Nantucket lightship
could be duplicated in a surprise at
tack, and the important commerce
from the Gulf, especially the fuel oil
shipments to England, could be raided,
FooIhardy to Delay.
With such a prize to play for and
with the feasibility OF the undertake
ing already tested, 1t is considered
to ignore the warning that
his program will be carried out by
he Prussian submarines. These sub
marines have entered British harbors
lar better protected They have
,trewn mines in the British lanes of
.ravel.
While Mr.. Roosevelt does not spe-
.ificaIly mention these dangers and
ldvocates his project only as gen.
,ral measure OF naval preparedness,
[ has been ascertained from naval eX-
,erts that such operations could be
.arried out. In entente quarters and
With many American naval officers
I is the conviction today that they
will be carried out.
The coast patrol which Mr.. Roose-
relt is striving to develop would con-
list of a mosquito fleet for submarine
hasing, of mine sweepers, for which
everal types of vessels in New York,
Baltimore, and Norfolk are available,
md Of general patrol vessels. From
he date that boats and men were OBJ
aimed for such an organization IL
would require two months, says Mr..
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