The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-17
A New Mediterranean Port.

| Which OF the great powers is destined to
dominate tho Mediterranean? At the first
glance Italy seems to possess an unri-
vailed strategic position. for it's peninsula Is
| driven like wedge into the middle Of tho
sea, while beyond its tip the great island
Of Sicily projects like a bastion, almost
blocking the route Of maritime traffic be-
| tween the east and the west. But the naval
resources of the italian kingdom cannot
for moment be compared with those Of
England or France. Now the English hold
| the fortress OF Gibraltar. at the mouth OF
the vast midland sea: they possess in NAL
| Ia midway station In it, almost equally
| impregnable; and they occupy Cyprus. at
| It's extreme eastern end; besides control
ling. for the present at all events, Port Said
| and Alexandria.
Fifteen years ago the French seemed to
| labor under great disabilities relatively to
| the English; but no sooner did thoy acquire
the Regency of Tunis. than they called to
mind how much Carthage had made OF that
coign OF vantage. The site OF Carthage it
self. indeed. or any other site in the immedi-
ate nelghborhood of Tunis. Is untitled for the
construction OF Il haven suited to modern
vessels OF deep draught. Within forty
miles OF Tunis. however. in n northwest
erly direction, nature offers to France in
the lake and harbor Of BiZertd an oppor-
tunity OF making one Of the finest seaports
In the world. The opportunity has not been
overlooked. and for some three years
French engineers, acting under the orders Of
their Government. have been creating q
harbor OF colossal dimensions close to the
main pathway Of Mediterranean trade. and
capable OF being made even more de-
fensible than Toulon against aggression
from the sea.
The Arab town OF Bizerta lies near Cape
Blanco. the most northerly point OF the
African continent. and Is within two miles
OF the course OF all ships passing between
Gibraltar and the Suez Canal. The natural
harbor which Is itself entered by narrow
passage. is separated by ridge OF land
from large and deep lake twenty miles
long and ten broad. What the French engi-
neers have done. besides dredging and
otherwise improving the natural harbor
and its entrance. Is to give access to this
interior lake by means OF canal. They
have thus converted what was once an en-
tirely landlocked basin into huge haven
OF refuge. which will afford safe anchorage
to a fleet OF any size, and where fleet once
anchored will be completely hidden and
out of the range OF the guns OF ships lying
outside the outer harbor, The works will
be entirely completedin the spring OF 1895.
and 1t is expected that ships will be able to
use the port in the beginning of next year.
That Bizerta will become one OF the chief
coaling stations in the Mediterranean Is
evident not only from tho fact that Its posi-
ton is quite equal TO Mal;a's. but 5ccaoso
it offers advantages which Malta does no.
possess. namely. that coal can he taken in
directly from the wlaryes. while Vessels
stopping there Will always hrvo tno chance
OF obtaining certain account Of cargo
Tho country around the town Is very for
tile. covered with vineyards. orange groves.