Wants Canal Impregnable.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 25, 1913:
Representative Tribble Would Build Fortifications Second to Gibraltar.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    HAVANA, March 24.— The members of the House Naval Affairs Committee have arrived here from Guantanamo and Panama. They are apparently all in favor of mating the canal impregnable, if possible, but most of them refuse to express their opinions regarding Panama.
    Representative Samuel J. Tribble of Georgia said: "With the exception of Gibraltar, which can not be duplicated, the Panama Canal fortifications should be made the strongest in the world, so as to resist any world power. There may be many emergencies arising, not so far distant, that will justify this expense." When asked about Col. Goethals's request for a garrison of 25,000 men, he said: "I believe that Congress should place a force adequate to garrison the zone for all purposes, regardless of the number that may be necessary."
    Mr. Tribble's sentiments seem to be those of the rest of the committee.