The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1919-08-08
PROTECTION TO
PACIFIC
BY BIG FLEET

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 8 (by Assoc
ciated Press .-DivisiOn of the Unit
ed States navy and dispatch to this
coast of the Pacific fleet marks the
end of a long campaign that has been
waged by officials and citizens of Pa
cifc states for what they termed
adequate naval protection"
The Pacific coast attitude has been
that great possibility of attack men
aced the Pacific states unless the ma
ton sent westward large fleet.
Active campaigning for big Pacific
naval force began with the close OF
the Spanish-American war. It was
urged that the Philippines and other
Pacific islands possessed by the
United States should be protected
Governors, congressional representa-
tives and other officials made strong
representations in the months follow.
ing that war for increased naval
strength on the Pacific.
After the building of the Panama
canal many men in public life asserted
that in case of attack from the Pa
cif1c and destruction of the canal, the
largest part of the country's naval
force would be kept away from the
Pacific for long period, during which
the Pacific states would be open to
invasion.
Public men and newspapers of the
Pacific coast were practically a unit
for naval expansion and ultimate sta
tioning of a large force here. Plans
for curtailing naval expansion with
the signing of the armistice in some
quarters were countered by many in
sistent demands from this coast that
the full building program be adhered
to.
The announcement Of Secretary
Daniels that the navy was to be di-
vided and approximately 200 ships sta
toned in the Pacific was hailed with
delight.
Personnel of Fleet
Many officers of the new Pacific
fleet formerly were stationed at West
ern ports, according to officers at
Twelfth naval district headquarters
here. Among them are:
Admiral Hugh Rodman, chief in
command of the fleet, who came first
to the Pacific as an ensign. He has
been West many times since. Ad-
miral Osterhaus gave him command
of his first ship on this coast.
Captain William A. Moffett of the
Mississippi was executive officer of
the Maryland, now the Huntington,
when it won the gunnery pennant two
years in succession ten years ago, and
in 1912 he was lighthouse inspector
for this district.
Captain W. H. Stanley of the Vir-
ginia was in charge of the hydro
graphic office here several years ago.
Captain Carl T, Vogelsang of the
Idaho has a brother, Charles A. Vogel-
sang, living in San Francisco.
Captain James H. Tomb of the Aros-
took also had charge of the district
photographic office here.
Captain Leigh G. Palmer of the
Georgia was here in 1914 as aide to
Secretary Daniels.
Other commanders of the vessels
include:
Captain Arthur L. Willard, New
Mexico; Captain H. H. Christy, Wyo-
ming; Captain Louis Steigner, Arkan-
sas; Captain Nathan G. Twining,
Texas; Captain William V. Pratt, New
York; Captain Percy NJ Olmstead,
Nebraska; Captain Walter R. Ger
hardi, New Jersey; Captain Walter L.
Crosley, Rhode Island; Captain Ed
ward D. Fenner, Denver; Captain Ed
ward S. Jackson, Tacoma; CAPTAIN
Frank L. Pinney, Cleveland; CAPTAIN
John R. Y. Blakeley, cruiser Seattle.
For Pacific Coast Naval Academy
A campaign for the establishment
OF second United States naval acad-
envy on the Pacific coast is being con-
Quoted by local newspapers and Of
hc1als. Attention is drawn to the