Evening journal., 1918-07-22
WANTS MORE FORTS
ON delaware BAY
Senator Freylinghuysen Ap-
peals to the Public
Against Neglect
SAYS PHILADELPHIA
COULD BE SMASHED

WASHINGTON, July IA demand
for the immediate erection OF adequate
fortineatlons at the entrance OF Della
ware Bay for the protection Of cities
and war industries around Philadelphia,
and especially the Philadelphia Navy
Yard, was voiced on Saturday by Sem
ator Joseph s. Frelinghuysen, OF New
Jersey.
Senator Frelinghuysen's attack on the
War Department for It's failure TO act
for the defense OF Delaware Bay was
prompted by the destruction Of the
cruiser San Diego at the gateway TO
New York, following so closely on the
heels OF the submarine operations at
the mouth Of the Delaware. He de-
clared his hope to be that public opln-
ion would be aroused sufficiently TO de-
msnd immediate action.
The statement from the senior SEN
ator from New Jersey disclosed that
when he inquired OF the Ordnance De-
partment relative to steps for the for
tiflcation OF Delaware Bay, he received
the following reply;
. Nothing Is known in this offlce rela-
tive TO present or future plans in re-
gard TO the coast defenses."
For months, indeed, ever since the
beginning OF the war" said Senator
Frellnghuysen, Il have been impressed
with the startling inadequacy OF the
protection afforded TO the shipping
within the Delaware Bay and River and
the stupendous shipbuildlng and munl-
tions plants located on the river, not TO
mention the Philadelphia Navy Yard and
the great industrial plants at Philadel-
phia, both above and below that city
on both sides OF the Delaware.
''Tha tthe Delaware Bay should be
entirely undefended, except at its head, |
was a marve Ito me, In view Of the Op-
portunity thereby afforded to an enemy |
feet 20 enter the bay and land an army |
either In New Jersey or Delaware, with /
a railroad Immediately at hand In either
case and with every opportunity TO !
launch aircraft at will
should such an attack prove success
ful, in view Of the vast enterprises in
volved and their special character, this
country would, at single stroke, prac-
tically be put out Of the war, at least
for the time being
1T was with this thought in mind
that, September .26. 1917. addressed
TO the board Of ordnance
and fertilization, War Department ask
Ing what had been done and was con-
templated with reference 10 this i'm
pOrtant matter. The reply I received
was TO this effect.
=" Nothing Is known in this ONCE rel
stive 70 present or future plans In re-
gard TO the coast Defense
ION April Q, 1918, | addressed the Sec
fetary OF War upon the subject, and he
wrote me that some steps were being
aiken TO fortlfy the Delaware side Of
he Delaware Bay, but nothing had yet
been done so far as concerns the New
Jersey side, though something was
In that direction also.
"The mouth OF Chesapeake Bay Is
about ss wide as that OF the Delaware
Heretofore Hampton Roads has been
protected solely by Fort Monroe. which
IS situated on the mainland side and
not at the entrance OF the harbOr. Now, L
However, the Government is construct.
ne a modern system Of forts at Cape
Henry whereby the entrance 10 the bay
will be commanded by our guns, as (
will the adjacent waters OF the Atlantic
Ocean.
why should not the entrance to Del
,ware Bay be similarly protected? II
leems amazing 70 me that no question
las heretofore been raised, especially /
3y philadelphans, As TO the adequacy
If the defenses provided for the great {
on the Delaware River, so
,ital to a successful prosecution OF the {
var.
DUPONT and Mott Not Enough.
"Whlle Forts DUPONT and Mott are
equipped with modern ar
nament. feel persuaded that the loca-
ion OF these forts IS not sufficiently {
ar away from the stupendOus Indus
ries on the lower Delaware TO meet
wentieth century conceptions Of war
are. especially the increased range OF
modern guns.
aside from the efficiency Of our navy
largely 5000 miles anywhere IS
nothing whatever to prevent a hostile {
leet. with or without an accompanying |
irmy in transports, from entering Dell I
WARE Bay and operating from that Z
,ase without hindrance.
ADEQUATE fortincations should be .
rected at the mouth OF the bay which {
would sweep the ocean for twenty or {
more miles seaward, would defend the I
delaware Breakwater and thus protect /
he cities on the Delaware River ana I
he immense plants situated thereon (
including the Philadelphia Navy Yard J
whose preservation Is so essential to
he very life Of the nation. c
Even though previously any ques-
ION existed concerning the necessity
or action in this direction, all doubt y
vas removed during the recent visit OF
he German U-bOats TO this coast. Al
most within range Of human vision r