The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1942-06-25
War Speeds Road
To Alaska

Events since the treacherous attack
on Pearl Harbor have focused world
attention on our Pacific defense tri-
angle of Alaska, Hawaii, Panama and
California Most exposed and least
prepared point in this strategic group
is the territory of Alaska. Because
the Alaskan route from Toxic to Cali
fornia is 400 miles shorter than the
better defended Hawaiian route and
because Japan's great naval and air
base at Paramushira is only $50 miles
from our Aleutian Island bridge,
the danger of direct attack is proba-
bly, greater from that direction than
from any other.
Alaska is closer to Asia than any
other American point. The peninsula
juts westward to within 81 miles Of
Siberia. Only eight miles of water lie
between Americas Little Diomede Is
land and Russia'a Big Diomede. The
Aleutian Islands stretch out to with
in $50 miles of Japan's naval base
at Horomushiro Over the North Pole,
Alaska is closer to the continent of
Europe than any other part of the
United States and air flights across
the top Of the world are today feast
bic. For these reasons Of location and
bases, Alaska is the best route for
an eventual American offensive
against Japan. The neighboring chain
Of Soviet bases and air fields in
creases the offensive value of Alaska,
in case Russia. is later able to fight
Japan, in addition to driving back
Hitler.
In recognition of these vital facts,
the United States is spending ten
times the $7,20O,OOO purchase price
paid for the territory in 1867 to add
strength to Alaska Air, submarine,
and naval bases are being built and
enlarged by the army and navy. To
supply these bases a land connec-
ton is now essential. Until the pres
ent time practically all traffic be-
tween the United States and Alaska
has moved by sea. No road or rail-
road existed. The traffic by sea can be
maintained only so long as we have
sure control of the surface and under
waters of the Pacific. Danger that
surface craft or aircraft or subma-
rines operating off our coast may
make it impossible to transport the
needed supplies for the full equipment
and expansion Of our Alaskan mill
tary and naval expansion has has
tened work on the long planned high
way to Alaska.
Long negotiations between the
United States and Canadian Govern
ments were climaXed early in March
with the announcements that the Ca
madam cabinet had approved the pro
ject, already recommended by the
United States Canadian Joint Defense
Board. U. S. Army Engineer troops
established at Dawson Creek, British
Columbia, the first main base for sur
vey and construction of pioneer road
over the nearly 1500-mile route. That
job completed, the Public Roads Ad-
ministration will build a crushed-rock
motor highway "a feet wide over the
same route. For defense or for offense
it will prove a powerful weapon in
the hands Of the United States.
Over this road will travel military
trucks, bringing essential supplies of
food, clothing ammunition, gasoline
and oil required by our enlarged forces.
In emergencies, the military could be
transported by land instead of by
sea. Naval vessels and planes could
be based advantageously to keep en-
emies away from continental shores
and patrol large areas of the Pacific.
In addition to its outstanding mil
itary significance, the Alaskan high
way will have greater economic value
in peacetime. The territory's great
handicap has been the lack of trans
portation facilities, as there is only
one railroad within it's boundaries and
highways are few. The defense high
way will serve as a nucleus for an eX-
panded road system through the ter