Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-30
AN ENGLISH SEIZURE.
Important significance of the Ocoupa-
ton of Port Hamilton,

Fran the Betn York Herald.
While discussing the strained relations
existing between England and Russia the
last action of England should not be over
looked. BY the seizure OF Port Hamilton
England has secured the control Of the
Korean strait, and possesses Gibraltar
which guards the southern entrance to
the Japan sea. The Nan How group Of
islands consists of the two large islands
SodO and Sunhod0. with a smaller island
called Observatory Island. The larger
islands are deeply indented, their north
ern ends almost meeting, while ObserVa-
tory Island is situated between their
southeastern points, forming the spacious
and well sheltered harbOr known as Port
Hamilton. the main entrance to which is
ia the southeastern part OF the group.
This entrance viii admit vessels Of the
greatest draught, while the northern en-
trance, go yards wide, may be used by
small vessels in fine weather. The hold
ing ground is excellent, and there is room
in the harbOr for a large fleet. Port Ham
ilton is so well protected that it affords
shelter in the worst weather.
SodO, the larger of these islands, is $50
feet high, and SunhodO is 7S3 feet. They
both present rugged, bold sides on either
connection with Observatory Island could
be defended against any force. There are
several Korean villages on these islands
containing about 1000 people. Every
available spot is cultivated, the principal
crop being mllet. Port Hamilton is over
thirty miles off the main Korean coast
and forty miles north of the large island
OF Quelpart.
NEARER TO The RUSSIANS.
BY occupying these islands England
has removed her base of supplies, in the
event of war, over 900 miles nearer to
NladiVOstok, the principal Russian fort
in Siberia, as Port Hamilton is only lao
miles from Nagasaki, where the mex
haustible coal mines are being worked,
she can, within two weeks, make depot
Of coal, which will last her fleet for
months. Sufficient supplies can also be
gathered in a short time from Hong Kong
and the Chinese and japanese ports to
make her quite independent Of neutrals
after war is declared. Port Hamilton is
only 600 miles from NiadivOstock. The
English fleet will not only guard the Ko-
rean strait, but can gather at Port Ham
iltOu for any descent upon the Russian
posse ssiOns in Siberia. With the Korean
strait thus guarded and one or two iron
/ clads in the Straits of La PeTOuse and
/ Tsugar, the Russian fleet win be practi-
/ cally confined to the Sea Of Japan. and no
/ vessel can escape to prey upon English
commerce.
/ The reasons which influenced the En-
/ glish government TO seize upon Port Ham,
ilt0n are thus made plain. The Russian
cruisers in he sea of Japan must remain
there, and those out in the North Pacific
win he kept from reaching their base OF
supplies. WHAT Corea thinks Of England
action isquite an unimportant matter
| without the treaty powers interpOse some
objections. Japan will certainly be dis
gusted TO find that she has such power
/ full neighbOr. and China will be equally
/ indignant when she realizes that England
is almost 900 miles nearer Pekin. Hons
Kong has been thorn In her side f0i
many years, and Port Hamilton will be
/ even a sharper one.