The morning call., 1890-11-05
WAR MEASURES.
EnsIand's Threatening Attitude
in the West Indies.
Rum0rS That HOStilitieS Will Be Begun
against the United States.
ali The British Troops Reins Concentrated
al a Few Of the Most Important
Strategic Points.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

NEW YORK, Nov. 4.-The Times has the
following: The British are reported to be
actively engaged in Jamaica, Bermuda and
St. Lucia, West Indies, in fortifying these
places against all possible likelihood of
capture. Extensive coaling stations are
being established in Jamaica and st. Lucia.
Bermuda is also to have one. All the British
troops in the West Indian Islands are being
concentrated. No other posts will be held
but Jamaica, St Lucia and Bermuda But
for fear of exciting unusual comment the
forces now in the Bahamas would be with
drawn at once. The British Admiralty and
War Office, it appears, are determined to in
sure c0aiug stations to British cruisers in
tie event Of hostilities with the United
States
From well-informed sources the impress
sion given ont that the detail of Grenadier
Guards was sent to Bermuda because of
mutiny is all canard. The British author
tiles decided some time ago to send the very
pick of British troops to the West Indies,
aud in this way doubly assure the defense
of what is now recognized in military cir
cles as Great Britan's lighting hold on the
United States" The detail of guards to
Bermuda has caused this post to be placed
second 10 Gibraltar in importance.
The greatest secrecy is being observed in
all the improvements now in progress, but
the work is growing day by day. The Brit
ish are working as if they expected war in
Il few months with the United States. Bodies
of troops are being quietly concentrated in
detachmentS of twenties and fiftieS. If this
concentration continues much longer, all the
troops in the Bahamas will be at Jamaica.
Nassau has only mere guard left, the re-
mOval of the forces stationed there having
been in progress during the past summer,
and continuing up TO the present.
In the report submitted last week by the
Colonial Defense Committee to the British
authorities it was stated; This policy Com
centratioh) is now being carried out" The
committee further states: There has been
no question of abandoning any of the West
India colonies or Of leaving them to their
own unaided resources in time of war. The
policy" it states. based upon the princi-
pie CT the protection of the West Indies rs a
whole, must depend upon the navy operat-
ing in sufficient force" The committee also
states that in accordance with the recon-
mendatOns of the Royal Commission II was
decided to fortify and maintain imperial
coaling stations at Jamaica and St Lucia.
These points are being selected on account
of their strategic Importance in relation to
the operations OF her MajeSty's navy in
these waters and to concentrate there all the
imperial troops in the West Indies.
Gable communications are to be eStah-
liShed between all the islands, the ends of
tie cables in Jamaica. ST. Lucia and Ber-
muda being extended into the forts. These
cables will tap the main Halifax cable
They are under no contract TO connect with
the American wires. More troops are to be
sent out from England as soon as the bar
racks and works now building are in a re-
ceptive state. Imperial troops have now
been wholly withdrawn from the Bahamas,
only few colored battaliuns remaining.
These forces keep mp show of defense.
The Defense Committee declares that the
welfare of the British Empire depends on
the assurance of Jamaica, st. Lucia and
Bermuda against the attacks of contigu-