The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1882-02-04
The proposed Purchase of Gibralter.

One hundred and seventy-seven years ago, the
fortress Of GibTalter, which considered i'm
pregnable in the hands OF Spain, was successfully
assaulted and captured from its possessOrs, and
frUm that date II has been held by England against
all comers. Strengthened Jn IT. deiences, both ON
its land and sea faces, by Its present owners, IL
has indeed become impregnablc. and consequently
n thorn IN the side OF Spain. and an object of Jea
ousy To other nations IL has always been de-
nominated the - the key OF the Mediterranean, -
not only from Its commanding position, Jutting
out into the Straits and threatening passing
sell with it, powerful batteries, but from ex-
tsnsIye and cJmmldiOus bay, in which
heeE anchor with sure protection from
tain winds. With such recommendations, 10 be
comes Of the utmost value TO "A maritime Power.
and the question OF It's retention By England IT.
restoration TO spain should never tor moment be
entertained by any EuglIshman who - true To his
country. Under these circumstances II IL start
ling To have To record report which Comes from
Madrid that very large sum Of money has been
subscribed with view To purchasing GIbralter,
and that should England refuse % sell Il, the mon
ey j. 10 be expended in Certifying positions tine
Straits. both ia Africa and Spain. l. Is true
there was q rumOur, which gained ground few
years ago. ~ 70 the possibility OF our becoming
magnanImOus IN handing over to the Spaniards
the fortress We had captured from them but, II
there was the least foundation Tor such rumour,
the comments which appeared upon It SO decided
Iy showed tue feeling Ot the nation that the idea
Was quickly abuudI such = report nav
however, have given Iise % the movement now
referred to- aud lent Its projectors hope that the
offer OF a magnificent sum Of money might induce
the mouey-lJving EngIi-hman to part with bar
ren rock. which brings no revenue, but bears
heavily on the Exshcquer for its maintenance.
The precedent Of the lJuiau Islands NAV nave
given a spur To the hope IN the breast OF Spain,
but although England doubt commtJted
blunder IN demOI-hIug the fJrtiii-atIJns OF
Corfu and CcftIOnIa, and making the islands
a present To Greece, it does not follow that
4 second and worse blundcr should be committed
by selling the strongest fortress in her possession
for any sum OF money that might be offered for 10,
or for any other consideration that might be adj
yanced. In speaking % the capture Of Gtbralter,
his Majesty King William ", when Duke Of
Clarence, saId, - Tne country had secured the
possession of fortress OF iuessinable value. which
the pnited force OF Europe had never been able
% wrest from her The Rock j. jewel IN the
Crown Of England. and n such. must be retained
at all c0-.s. IL Is we'll that the subscribers the
Purchase Fund have provided an alternative, in
the event OF the nOn-acceptance Of their offer By
prJpusing % utilize the amount subscribed IN lOr-
tifyIng their own possessions ON the Straits. Tar
iia on the side, and Ceuta ON the other, are
already fortified but large sum Of money might
be applied IN adding q their strength, while some
point tor new fortress might be found more i'm
medately opposite Tarifa. between Cape Spartel
and Ceuta. It will, however. be wiser II the DOns
ut once turn their attention 10 this. rather than
waste time and cJrre-p0ndence by making futile
offer which England can never accept.-ArHIy and
NARY Ga=efts-