Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 57, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 October 1914 — MUST SUPPORT FORTS [ARTICLE]

MUST SUPPORT FORTS

To Increase Forces at Panama and in Hawaii. European War Transforms Policy of Department In Planning Protection of Canal. Washington, Oct 20—The futility of depending solely upon fortifications for national defense, as demonstrated by the European war, has transformed the policy of the war department in planning the protection of the Panama canal and Hawaii. The mobile army w ill be given /a more conspicuous place in these defenses than hitherto was contemplated.

The theory that a nation can build Its fortresses so strong that it can retire into them and defend itself against an Invading force is exploded by the progress of the European war. It has been demonstrated that It Is impossible to build a fortification so strong that it can resist modern artillery. Therefore this country must possess a strong and efficient army to support its coast defenses, experts say. The large fortifications can successfully defend the larger harbors a»d waterways against a naval attack, but it has been demonstrated again and again that when a nation obtains control of the sea it can land a force in a smaller harbor or evea on a rough seacoasL

\\ itbout a mobile army to support them the fortifications for the canal could not be built strong to provide ample protection for the great waterway.

They are strong enough, however, to defend the entrances of the canal from an attack by sea, but the war department has gone farther in providing a mobile army to support the fortifications. The army is for the purpose of preventing the landing of troops.

The same policy is being pursued in providing for the defense of Hawaii. Here even a larged force of troops is necessary. r The authorities of tl*e war department therefore plan t!b increase the mobile army at both places as soon aa the troops can be spared. Delays in carrying out this policy are regarded as positively dangerous.