The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-11-14
Two Prospective Naval stations.

.
A recent map issued by the Mari
time Canal Company Of Nicaragua
discloses the physical features OF the
country over which the route has been
surveyed better than they have ever
been shown on paper before. Ii the
canal is ever constructed by American
capital. or substantially under Ameri-
can patronage, il will eventually pass
under the control of the United States
government, so far at least, as the
right 10 pass war-ships through this
waterway, and 10 lay them up in the
fresh water OF Lake Nicaragua. 1t
would require but a few steps in ad-
vance of the present negotiations TO
secure great naval station in that
lake. III the canal were once built. in
all the known world there could not
be found another place so admirably
fitted by nature for great naval rem
devious as in Lake Nicaragua. The
islands in that lake would afford
the necessary shelter; dry docks could
be/built and stores collected. The
ready TO pass into the Atlantic or Pa
eific side of the continent of South
America, or to be sent up the north
Nt-A J0@act VI Tit Il Ht dttdlIi-
ment of this result may be remote,
but il is not one OF the impossibilities
of the future. No one can say what
country are 10 be half century hence.
The Nicaragua canal will be con-
structed because IL will ha8e advan-
tages which have hardly been limited
at present BY treaty, negotiation
- a., L.
acquired which admit of the establish
ment of great naval reserve in the
waters of Lake Nicaragua.
In some important sense this will be
the KEY of the two continents. Sup
pose to-day the canal were constructed
and great naval station established
in the lake midway between the Allan
tic and the Pacific? All the war
vessels would be propelled by steam
or would depend upon some other
motor than wind. In few hours they
could move out on the Atlantic or Pa
eiiie. according to the exigency of the
times. In the lake they would be Sc
cure from the attack of an enemy,
always supposing that the supreme
control OF the canal should be in the
United States. All this is suggested
by study Of the new map. The
great basin would hold all the ships OF
the world. But il il held only the
war-shipS OF the United states the ad-
vantages of the position could hardly
be over-estimated.
The other great naval station. pros
pectively, viii probably be in the wa
tiers of Puget Sound, where RIO treaties
or concessions will be required This
great land-locked water is already
tieeked with the ships OF commerce.
But II such an event should occur as
that the Dominion of Canada should
become a part Of the United States, il
would follow that the great naval sta
ton on the Northwest coast would he
somewhere on Puget Sound. Long
before such a transition the country
may have developed TO such an ex-
tent as 10 make such a station a neces-
sity. With continental railroad and
coal and timber in abundance on the
margin OF the Sound, war vessels
would be near the base OF supplies.
II hereafter, there IS 10 be any use for
fleets OF war-ships, these two great
land locked harboTs would be among
the most important naval resources
of the world. They are the
reserves not vet laid under contribu-
ton in this respect, because they have
not been wanted All the great na-
tons In the world are increasing their
war ti.ets. Our own government has
begun 90 create n feet of powerful ships
The country has coast line With few
deienses. The Pacific side OF the con-
tinent is in process OF rapid develop
ment At some period not very far
in he future a. strong a navy force
may he required in the Pacific as in
the Atlantic waters. Even to-day
there are not many places fitted by
nature for great naval stations, that
are unoccupied With the eonstrnc-
ton OF the Nicaragua canal and the
rapid development OF the Northwest,
such advantages a. Lake Nicaragua
and Puget Sound possess IN this re-
speet, would not be ignored.
Heavy sacrifices IN dress goods Monday
morning: something great fos Ice Texas,
-snspRrrFxn a Co.