Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1905 — COAST SAFE FROM ATTACK. [ARTICLE]

COAST SAFE FROM ATTACK.

American Forts Would Repel Any Foreign Fleet. “No foreign power could successfully assail our seaboard cities. With the present efficiency of our forts, rendered impregnable by the fire-control system, sweeping a zone that would bring annihilation to any fleet within range of the batteries of big guns, the seaboard cities are safe from foreign invasion,” said Secretary of War William H. Taft in New York the other day. He had just returned enthusiastic from his visit to Tort Hamilton and Sandy Hook. “To be sure a squadron could approach under the cloak of fog,” he continued. “In San Francisco, particularly, where fogs and dense weather prevail, the situation would offer more advantages to an attacking force. With the development of the torpedo and submarine systems, however, Pacific coast cities will be safe even should the elements f» <»r the approach of an enemy. There are plenty of guns on the Atlantic seaboard to defend it, bus there must be no diminution of artillery or change made in the plans to increase its strength.” Secretary Taft said that he would start about Nov. 1 on his trip to Panama. He said the first thing to be done down there was to see that the workmen were housed properly and provided with amusements in their leisure hours.