The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-07-24
EsQUIxALr AND PUGET SOUND.
xsx YORK Sun.

San Francisco newspapers have story
that . battalion of the Royal Rife
Brigade 10 under orders TO be ready to
leave England for station duty at Victoria;
that two hasfaiions of the Royal Marine
Artillery have orders for duty At the same
point; and that the cruiser Royal Arthur
il already at Esquimalt, and the Miaotaur
ordered thither. Hence the conjecture. u
appears, has been thrown outshat England
may expect an unfavorahle decision from
the Paris tribunal. and is preparing to
maintain by forcs what she considers her
rights ia Boring sea-
The facts thus spoken ara interesting
and suggestive. but the inference goes tar
astray. The obligation to abide BY the de-
cis,on Of the arbiters in the sealing con-
troversy, il 90 well defined and imperative
that neither party to the dispute would
think Of repudiating it IL may be con-
iectured that the future of HAWAII or some
other problem OF ths Pacific leads to this
strengthening Of the military and naval
forces at Esquimalt, but the Boring sea
question 10 marked for different solution.
Indeed, there is nothing whatever to indi-
cate that England expects decision Of
that question unfavorabie 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 il was said at that time that the Tenn
eraire. a powerful ironciad, exceeding in
displacement the New York. had also been
ordered to Esnuimalt. so that the naval
provision now made there does not ex-
coed what was contemplated long ago. As
to the garrison, . controversy has long
existed between the imperial government
and the dominion a. to which should I'M
dertake the cost of erecting and maintain
ing tho defenses there. An agreement
has lately been reached on that subject. SO
that it is not strange to find arrangements
now made for giving proper garrison to
that important post.
Yet, when freed from mistaken sur
misses. the British movements in that
region are still significant The founda-
ton OF an important naval station at
Esquimalt, with the preparations for erect
ing powerful Notifications and maintain
ing strong garrison there, indicates that
England fully appreciates the growing inn
portance Of the Pacific. As in Halifax
she possesses 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 tho
Canadian Pacific she now has an Ameri-
can military route to Asia. and must pro-
tect its terminus on this continent. The
enormous value Of the Pacific in the
twentieth century a. commercial high
way. when the interocsanic canal route
shalt have been opened. is also appreci.
ated by her: and the prospect Of seeing
Hawaii pass into the possession OF the
United States may increase her readiness
TO strengthen the defenses Of British
Columbia.
The important point for our government
10 to make its own preparations. It 10
worth noting that the Monterey. after
completing her series Of trials. was sent to
Puget sound. where she 10 now visiting the
various ports. That important body OF
water. already . great center Of maritime
Esquimalt, which lies opposite it, en-
trance. One step for lts defense has lately
been taken in beginning the establishment
Of . navy yard there: and ~ soon - the
guns can DO provided Puget sound will no
doubt have its share OF land defenses. Tho
ordering of the Philadelphia, the Charles
ton and tho Yorktown to the Pacific is an
earnest Of what will be done for that
station, 90 far as war vessels are concerned.
It happens that the entrance to Puget
sound can be easily defended by land for
tifications. for which nature has provided
admirable emplacements in high bluffs.
Defensive works might well be erected
there simultaneously with those contem-
plated for Esquimalt