Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1910 — TAFT WOULD FORTIFY THE PANAMA CANAL [ARTICLE]

TAFT WOULD FORTIFY THE PANAMA CANAL

President Will Ask Appropriation ol $2,000,000. President Taft, in his coming message to congress next December, will give prominence to a recommendation that at least $2,000,000 be appropriated for immediate use for beginning the fortification of the Panama canal. It became known that the president’s economy plans do not contemplate any interference with the established naval policy of adding two battleships a year to the American fleet Mr. Taft believes that there ought to be no delay in this government’s undertaking the fortification of the .canad. He recommended an appropriation of $2,000,000 for this purpose at the last session, but it encountered some opposition in the house and was not passed. Mr. Taft holds that the United States has ample power under her treaty rights to fortify the canal In fact, the only way this government can “police and protect” the canal, in his opinion, is by fortifying it, and he proposes to exert his influence to accomplish this as soon as possible. It Was learned that the administration is thinking of establishing a strong naval base on Guantanamo Island, near Cuba. Secretary of the Navy Meyer will take a trip to Guanatanamo for the purpose of observing the navy experts that future wars in which this country may be engaged, If they ever come, will be fought out in the neighborhood of the Panama canal and it is in connection with this opinion that the secretary is looking toward Guanatanamo as affording a base for an American fleet. Of almost equal interest, With the news of the president’s attitude towards the canal, was the announcement of the likelihood of the negotiation of a reciprocity treaty between this country and Newfoundland.