Show CANAl ZONE DEfENSE TO BE STRENGTHENED l Big Gun Crews to Be Doubled Fortifications Rapidly Nearing Nearing Nearing Near- Near ing Completion Washington Aug 28 Tho Tha Tho coast artillery artillery ar ar- ar- ar tillery force torce on duty at the tho Panama canal will bo be Increased to full of ot companies or about 2000 men it was learned today the former policy of at maintaining tho the big gun cre crews 8 at about half halt strength in i peace time having Ing been abandoned Fortifications of ot the canal zono ono are arel l Q 1 In 1 r r T-rt T t l Inn nl 1 to It W was S planned to man them with fourteen fourteen four tour teen companies under the theory that It was improbable that tho the defenses at both ends of or the waterway would bo be attacked simultaneously and tho the canal and railroad made rapid shifting of or tho thOl forces to the tho danger point pos pos- sible Under the general gene readjustment plans of the army full tull garrisons for forthe tho the canal defenses have havo been determined determined determined deter deter- mined upon and it Is considered certain ceri i tam tain that a a. big increase In tho the coast artillery corps will be asked for tor when Congress Cons reassembles as tho the doubling of the canal force torce will wIn materially re reduce re- re duco duce this force torce in territorial United States Plans aro are now before the tho army fortifications fortifications forti forti- board for tor the tho equipment of at new fortifications of or the tho first class with inch 16 rifles having a range of at about twenty miles It Is not proposed proposed pro pro- posed to substitute these gigantic weapons for tho the present 1 12 and 14 Inch batteries but In all 1111 new neyr works and n tho smaller guns are ar worn out and and the discarded Inch 16 rifles willbe willbe will willbe be Installed Changes of gun Un carrIages carriages carriages car car- magazines and other equipment equip equip- ment for tor handling the bigger guns would make mako the tho cost of ot substituting for tor the tho present t and fourteens almost prohibitive One inch 16 rifle rUle built bunt several years I ago aso has been ordered installed In the canal ZOI zone zono defenses It Is understood however that a n. newer typo type of or gun has hIlS been developed b by army engineers with Increased range and striking power |