New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-08
THE DEFENCES AT ESQUIMALT
THEIR IMPORTANCE DWELL ON IN The
HOUSE, OF COMMONS

TIONs BE AT ONCE CoMPLETED.


TONS BE At ONCE COMPLETED.
London. March In the House of Commons to-day
Sir stafford Northcote member for Exeter called tie
attention of the House the state Of the deenccs at
Esqumalt seaport of British Columbia, on Vancouver
Island. sixtyfvc miles from the entrance OF the strait
OF Juan De Fuca. Esqumalt has navy ward, hos
ptal ard other necessary buildings for the require
mcnts Of the British squadron. and Sir stafford asked
wat steps had been taken 10 secure the completion OF
the WORKS required for the protection OF the harbor
The Canadian Pacific Railway. he said now offered an
alternative rOne TO the East and would be Of immense
service 10 the Empire in case of war. Therefore, 1t
was Of Importance 10 complete the defences in the
shortest time possible. and he made motion that the
fortihcadons be fastened to completion.
Rear Admiral Edward Eeld member for South sus-
said he thought the question OF imperial expenses
ought not TO be thrown solely OH the Imperial TOW
crmmeIt.
Ronald Craufurd Munro Ferguson, Member for Leith'
regretted thst Canada evadlng her share OF tie
Imperial burdens Of defences The House. he declared
would not hesitate TO urge tho Government to e1pend
money the defences.
Mr. sanhOpe. secretary OF state for War said he re-
earded the question from both an imperial and a
colonial point Of view. The impor snce Of Esqumot
had enormously increased during the last few years
lie regretted that the works were not yet completed
all the more because the defenCes OF all the cOalng
stations had reached completion. with the single eXccp
ton of Esqumalt. The Government hoped soon 10 see
that place properly defended The state had, there
fore. promised to provide guns. mining stores, skilled
engineers and plans and Canada ought TO provide the
sizes, construct the fort works whi the would
be erected and maintain them. Cries Of Hear. hear
Victoria and Newsouth Wales, the secretary added.
has DEGRADED the of fort and then even con
tlibuted 10 the support OF the local squadron The
Imperial Government mad asked the Canadian Govern
ment 10 carry out the works, but he sorry to say
that although the guns ready. the fort works lad
not vet been begun The Admiralty had put in train
ing fitted for garrison at E-quimalt, and they
would be ready to send when they wanted.
The Government had shown its willingness
to spend money the WORKS. and IT, determination
SAID that he had recently teloeraphed to the Cana
dian Government that the works should be undertaken
and the defencas carried out. lie quite sure,
things stood at present. that Canada was Qsp de
tcrrnlntd 10 complete the works The new Canadian
Minister Of Militia and Defence keenly imbued
with the desire to carry out the WORKS and the I'm
peIial Government had confidence that difficulty
wouH stand in the way OF successful issue. (Cti's
Of Hear. Hear.D lie would space no effort 70 co
operate with the Canadians Beth Governments
jointly. The secretary declared, in conclusion, at
urgency existed for executing the works, ana hr as
suTcd the House that the spirit Of the motion would
be Observed: Cries OF Hear Hear
John r. Redmond, Member for Waterford City. con.
dtmn0l the action OF Tie Government In not 'aUy
ing out the plan VI iortinCuon Independently Of he
assistance Of the Canadian Government
sir stafford Northcotes motion that the defences
vote 1t defeated without division Of the
House.