Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-11-06
A NEW WAR SCARE.
Activity of the British in the West In-
die,-TroOps Concentrated.

dtes-IrOOps concentrated.
NEW YORK. November 1.-THE Brit
iSh are reported to be actively engaged
az Jamaica, Bermuda and ST. Lucia,
West Indies. in fortifying these places
against all possible likelihood OF cap
ture.
Extensive cOaling stations are being
established in Jamaica and ST. Lucia.
Bermuda is also to have one. All Brit
ish troops in the West India Islands are
being concentrated. No other posts are
To be held but Jamaica, st. Lucia and
Bermuda. But for fear of exciting I'M
usual comment, the forces now in the
Bahamas would be withdrawn at once.
The British Admiralty and War
Offices, il appears, are determined to in
sure cOaling stations to British cruiS-
erS in the event of hoStilities with the
United States. Unless 81. Lucia, Ja-
maica and Bermuda can be held, it will
be impossible 10 operate with the heavy
battle ships against the North American
coast. These vessels are limited in coal
carrying capacity TO hardly enough TO
carry them across the Att tic ocean
Unless they can be re-Suppl led on reach
ing the vicinity of the American coast,
their efficiency will at once be destroy
ed. From Bermuda to New York is 40
hours Steaming, much less 10 any Of
Great Britain'S cruisers. From Jamaica
or ST. Luica to the American coast is
Is hours.
From well informed sources the i'm
preston is given out that the detail of
the Grenadier Guards to Bermuda be-
cause Of mutiny is all canard. The
British authorities decided some time
ago TO send the very pick of the British
troops to the West Indies. and in this
way doubly assure the defense of what
| is now recognized in military circles as
Great Britain'S fighting hold on the
/ United States. The detail Of the Guards
To Bermuda has caused that post to be
second to Gibraltar in Importance. The
greatest secrecy is being observed in
/ all the improvements now in progress,
| but the works are growing day by day.
The British are working As if they
| expected war in a few months with the
| United States. Bodies of troops are
being quietly concentrated in detach-
mcntS of twenties and fiftieS. Ii this
concentration continues much longer
all the troops in the Bahamas will be
at Jamaica. Nassau has only mere
guard left, the removal of the forces
stationed there having been in progress
during the past summer and cOntin-
uing up to the present. In n report
submitted last week by the Colonial De-
Tense Committee, to the British author
tiles. il was stated that this policy OF
concentration Is now being carried out.
The committee further states that there
l has been no question OF aban'
doning any of the West Indian colonies
or leaving them to their own uuaided
resources in time OF war. The policy
il states. is based upon the principle
that the protection OF the West Indies
as whole must depend upon the navy
operating in sufficient force. The com
mittee also states that in accordance
with the recommendations of the ROya
Commission il was decided TO fOrtify
and maintain imperial coaling station,
at Jamaica and ST. Lucia. these points
being selected on account of their STRAIT
egic importance in relation 10 the inn
portauce of Her Maiesty'S navy in these
waters. aud TO concentrate there all the
imperial troops in the West Indies.
Cable communications are to be es
tabliShed between all the Islands. The
ends of the cables in Jamaica, st. Lucis
and Bermuda will come into the forts
These cables will tap the main Halifax
cable. They are under no conditions &c
connect with American wires. Nor,
troops are TO be sent out from England
as soon as the barracks and works now
building are in receptive state. Th'
imperial troops haya now been wholly
withdrawn from the bahamas, only ;
few colored battalionS remaining. Thcs,
forces keep up a show Of defense. The
Defense Committee declares that thl
welfare Of the British Empire depends
on the assurance Of the safety Of ia
maica. ST. Lucia and Bermuda agains
the attacks OF q contiguous power.