The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-05-09
RELATIONS WITH CANADA.
Work ~ the Senate C0mmittee Dat
lined Coast Defense.

San FRAScfscu, May S.--Cnifcd States
Senator George +. Hoar, OF Massachusetts.
chairman Of the select committee on the
relations OF the United states with Canada,
stated 20 day In an interview that the main
subjects which the committee will inyestl-
gate are.
l. The fisheries.
7. The military works at Esquimait, b. q.
5. The general interchange OF produces
between The United States and Canada
The State Board Of Trade made an in
formal call on the committee this After.
noon. During the formal session of the
committee this afternoon General Miles
spoke at length on the subject OF coast de-
fenses, stating what had and what ought ti5
be done for The projections Of the Pacific
coast in particular.
THE PACIFIC CoAsr.
General Niles said PEget sound had
never POSSESSED any dsfenses. although its
ports are within sound OF the guns Of
British Notifications. The defenscs OF the
Columbia river at Fort Candy and Fort Ste
vens arc practically obsolete and useless
The same state OF affairs was said to exist
In this harbor. The statement was made
that naval vessel OF foreign power. pro-
vfded with modern armament, could
easily lay OF the Golden Gate and fhroB
shot into the center OF san Fran
cisco. eight miles distant. 8y tie
aid Of maps and charts, General Niles
explained In detail how the fortincaftons
OF this harbor could be made efficient. He
assured the senators that this harbor was
the easiest In the United States 10 natur-
ally defend. He would have mortar guns
at intervals along the ocean beach. and
would occupy Point LAbos, Fort Point
Point Bonita, Point Diabio, Line Point and
Point Cavsllo with powerful guns. At the
three last named points be would have ay-
Mantle guns. He would have three COM
pleta lines Of defense. the last being
marked BY Fort Mason. Angel island aud
Aicatrax. As rough estimate, he thought
$25s 600 DS0 would be sufficient 20 make the
sired
There was no reason why aIi the guns
necessary should not be made On she
coast. all the raw materials being la mueh
mere abundance than in the British pos
sessions north of u.s.
In response TO questions from senator
DoIph. Gen. Milre said that proper forfifI-
cations sc Point Wilson. Milestone aud Aa-
miraify head. Ia the Columbia river aud
Puget sound section, woHid easily protect
the interior region against any foreign
naval forces. The British foyfisieations on
Vancouver island were In his Judgment.
valued Independently OF their proximity
70 the United States.
sIn other Words said Senator Allison,
'.even II We might buy british columh hlx.
the British wonid ssiIi desire 10 retain
Vancouver"
The committee win Tomorrow, by InyI-
tsti0n Of Gen. Mica. visit the various fortl-
acatiSns in the harbof.
COMPETITION or ckxADiAs STEAMERS.
~ the afternoon session = letter from
Goedsli Perkins Il Co. Was read relative 70
steamship traffic between British Columbia
and American coast pcrrts. Il predicted
that In time Canadian vcsselx would ran
In competition with Pacific coast steam
ers. and the encouragement given 10 Brit
ism steamship com mpanies hy the British
government. IN contrast 10 the acfion of
our government, was commented npon.
Captain GogdHli stated nambes Of facts
not contained LII the letter, and sasa that
OF the shipments nnrtn from here
aboutsen per cent goes east by the Casa
dian Pacific aud about the same AMOUNT
sy the Sortnexn Pacific. Ia BIS judgment
the subsidized steamer nHes Of The Dofni-
Etson government will In time prove fatal
u American lizas unalded by TIE goTerE-
mtns BrifssA vessels cost fully % per
cent less 10 ran than American vessels,
American captains receiving 3zD0 Tu04sth
get only 500 ou British vessels.
Dnrsng the week representatives OF yars-
Gus Efasze organizations will testify before
the esflrrx n fs7fGfl