Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1915 — GREATEST OF GUNS [ARTICLE]

GREATEST OF GUNS

Weapon Is Part of Defense of Panama Canal. Army Officers Declare 16-lnch Gun la Biggest Weapon of Offense and Defense in Existence In the World. By EDWARD B. CLARK. (Staff Correspondent of the Western Newspaper Union.) Washington.—lt is probable that the 16-lnch gun "made in America” and Intended to bear its part if necessary in the defense of the Panama canal, already is properly emplaced on its carriage in a fortification on one of the islands guarding the Pacific approach to the great waterway. This gun, the manufacturing and testing of which were supervised by Col. E. B. Babbitt of the ordnance corps of the United States army. Is probably the biggest weapon of offense and defense In existence in the world today. ' Stories are told of bigger guns, said to be in process of manufacture on the other side of the water, but army men in Washington are Inclined to doubt the truth of the reports. The 16-lnch gun probably represents the largest type of military weapon which can be safe and effective at the same time, at least such seems to be the opinion of the experts. There are other big guns on all the outlying fortifications of Panama.' Col. George W. Goethals has just told a committee of congress that the great waterway is today in a condition of defense strong enough to protect it from the assaults of war vessels, the only way in which it can be assaulted with heavy artillery. It is asserted by some Washington officials that the fortifications in the continental United States are not properly manned and that there is not a sufficient quantity of ammunition for the big guns. The question naturally concerns itself here with a seeking after reasons why everything is ready for a perfect defense of the Panama canal while the defenses of our great cities are said to be far below the

plane of efficiency. Congress always has been generous to the Panama canal. The people of the United States have shown from time to time that they are sentimentally inclined toward the great waterway. The consistent favorable action of congress in matters relating to the canal work is viewed in Washington as proving that senators and representatives recognize the value and strength of sentiment. There has been no charge of graft in connection with Panama canal construction or with the work of building its defense. The only suspicion of anything improper in connection with the isthmian project was the charge made that % civilian purchaser of supplies accepted some presents from contractors. Congress has voted money for the canal and its defenses from year to year and has voted willingly and without delay. The members of congress took the word of the war department of the need of defenses for the canal zone and the defenses were supplied and it is said today that they are perhaps the only coast defenses which we have which are or soon - be in perfect fighting condition. Army officers are making a point of this canal defense matter and of the willingness with which congress has voted supplies, |o ask that the same kind of treatment be accorded other defenses of the country; It is possible, perhaps probable, that as a result of legislation soon to be enacted enough men will be added to the United States army to man all the coast defenses which the government has erected. It is also said that there is a likelihood that plenty of ammunition will be supplied for the big guns. The forts themselves are in good condition and there are enough powerful guns to do -the protective work. The need is for men and am, munition.