The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-16
Esquimalt and Puget Sound.

San Francisco newspapers have story
that O battalion Of the Royal Rifle Brigade
is under orders to be ready to leave Eng
land for station duty at Victoria; that two
battaliops OF the Royal Marine Artillery
have orders for duty at the same point; and
that the cruiser Royal Arthur is already
Mt Esquimalt, and the Minotaur ordered
thither. Hence tho conjecture. ID appears,
has been thrown out that England may eS-
pect an unfavorable decision from the Paris
tribunal. and ia preparing to maintain by
force what she considers her rights In
Behring Sea.
The facts thus spoken OF are interesting
and suggestive. but the inference goes far
astray. The obligation to abide by tho de-
cision Of the arbiters In the sealing contro-
versy Is 30 we'll defined and imperative that
neither party to the dispute would think Of
repudiating it. 1t may be conjectured
that the future OF Hawaii or some other
problem Of the Pacific leads to this strength
! ening Of the military and naval forces ut
Esquimalt; but the Behring Sea question is
marked for different solution. Indeed
there Is nothing whatever to indicate that
England expects decision Of that question
unfavorable to her interests.
But still more decisive fact is that tho
policy now carried out at Esquimalt was
determined on before the hearings at the
Paris tribunal began. The Royal Arthur
was ordered to the Pacific months ago. and
1t was said at that time that the Teme-
raire. . powerful ironclad. exceeding in
displacement the New York. had also been
ordered to Esquimalt. so that tho naval
provision now made there does not exceed
what was contemplated long ago. As to
tho garrison. controversy has long
existed between the imperial Government
and the Dominion as to which should under
take the cost Of erecting and maintaining
the defences there. An agreement has
lately been reached on that subject, 30 that
1t 10 not strange to find arrangements now
made for giving proper garrison to that
Important post.
Yet, when freed from mistaken surmises.
the British movements in that region are
still significant. Tho foundation of an i'm
portant navnl station at Esquimalt. with
The preparations for erecting powerful
Notifications and maintaining strong
garrison there. indicates that England
fully appreciates the growing importance
OF the Pacific. As in Halifax she possesses
o base of operations at the eastern end Of
her Canadian possessions. so at Esquimalt
she will have similar base at the western
end. By way OF the Canadian Pacific she |
now has an American military route to Asia,
and must protect its terminus on this con- |
tinont. The enormous value OF tho Pacific |
In the twentieth century as a commercial |
highway. when an interoceanio canal route |
shall have been opened. Is also appreciated |
by her: and the prospect Of seeing Hawaii |
pass into the possession Of the United States |
may increase her readiness to strengthen |
the defences Of British Columbia.
Tho important point for our Government |
% to mako Its own preparations. It is
worth noting that the Monterey. after COM
pleting her series Of trials. was sent to
Puget Sound. where che is now visiting tho
various ports. That important body of
water. alreadya great centre of maritime
activity. is exposed to naval attack from
Esquimalt. which lies opposite Its entrance. |
One step for its defence has lately been
taken IN beginning tho establishments of a
navy yard there: and as soon as the guns
can be provided. Puget Sound will no doubt
have Its share OF land defences. The order
Ing OF the Philadelphia. the Charleston, and
the Yorktown to the Pacific is an earnest
Of what will be done for that station, so far
as war vessels are concerned. 1t happens
that the entrance to Puget Sound can be
easily defended by land Notifications, for
which nature has provided admirable en-
placements In high bluffs. Defensive works
might well be erected there simultaneously
with those contemplated for Esquimalt.