The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1881-06-23
Thursday, Tune %. 1881.
CANADIAN TREPIDATIoN.

Col Strange and zen Smythe, OF the
Canadian army. are alarmed at the ex
posed and defenseless condition of our
neighbors of British Columbia. They
say that the cession to the United
States under the terms Of the Wash
ington Treaty, Of the Island of San
Juan. has always been looked upon.
from a military point If view, as a
gigantic English b.under, as it gives
the United States command to the
principal channel to British Columbian
rorts in the Calf of Georgia.
In the event Of an "unpleasantDess"
between the two countries. the British
would be confined to narrow channel,
only two miles vida in one place.
which Americans would be able TO
sweep with the fire Of two batteries on
j mes and Henry Islands There is q
channel close TO the Vancouver Island
shore by which thess batteries could
be avoided. but il is intricate and un.
suited to tho purposes Of general navi-
cation. Still more difficult would il be
for the passage Of crippled vessel seek.
ing craving dock or harbOr Of refuge
through the inland waters OF the Arch.
ipelazo or Gulf Of Georgia. At the
time OF the San Juan award there was
a good deal OF discussion as so how the
approaches to British Columbia by the
sea could best be defended. Addition.
al impetus was given to this discussion
when during the European complica
tions, which occurred under the lingo
rule in England. and when war was
imminent, a Russian feet Assem-.
bled in San Francisco, and while the
British squadron was engaged in
watching South Americln contest a
Russian man-of-war steamed up TO
Esquilnalt harbor and could have de-
siroyed the solitary gunboat lying
there before she could have got up
steam, burned the dockyard, and shelled
tho town. Since that time some land
defenses have been constructed, but
they are. according to a report made
upon them by military officer of the
highest standing. far from complete,
aud should be added to, much more
powerfully armed. and have telegraph
signals to give notice of approaching
vessels. The Russians have within the
past few years established fortified
base OF operations on their Asiatic Pa
cific coast in direct com muication with
st Petersburg; aud 1t is quite possible
that the Americans may, at any time
should circumstances make il the;- in.
terest to do so, mako their Territory of
Alaska base of hostile operations.
After expatiating at length upon the
dangers and necessities Of the situa-
ton. these officers go on to recommen-
dations. The principal defenses should
be located near Esquimalt and yicto-
RIA, Nanaimo aud Departure Bay, Bur.
rark Inlet and the mouth of the Fraser.
den Smythe concludes his report with
the questions following: Would il
not be wise to take precautions in time.
aud not wait till perhaps war falls upon
u.s. and our merchant ships and outly-
log possessions. such as Esquimal.,
stand the chance of being in flames
millions worth of property perhaps
destroyed, rather than expend few
thousands in fcrtifying our coasts and
rendering secure such important and
commanding positions as Esquimalt
must undoubtedly bo IN case Of long
maritime war Z"
Tho arguments of cur friends north
oil the line can be urged with almost
equal strength in favor of defenses
south, or IN our own Territory of Wash.
ington' We have little apprehension
OF trouble. but that is no sign 1t won't
come. aud a prudent Government
should be prepared. Our people have
more to lose, in case of war. than have
the people OF British Columbia.