The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-10
CRONSTADT NOT In 1T
Elaborate Fertilization to Be
Constructed at Esquimault.
Part of BritOn's Scheme to Control the
Commerce of the Pacific--Argument
for the Independence of Canada.

QUEBEC, March 9.-In furtherance Of an
evident determination TO command the COM
merce of the Pacific ocean, illustrated by
her designs upon Honolulu and the pro-
posed Canadan-Australian cable, Great
Britain has resolved upon the expenditure
of S5.OOO000 upon the fortifcations of Es-
quimalt. These were commenced on March
IS by a force of three hundred men be-
longing to the marine artillery and Royal
engineers, under the general direction of
Major Muirehead, r. r., one of the most
efficient experts of the British War De-
partment. Nobody outside those connected
with the work are permitted to inspect the
plans but few of the details of the
scheme have been learned.
The work will occupy two years, and the
fortifio of Cronstadt will sink into in
significance beside these. Their great nov
city will consist in the fact that they Will
2e TO very great eTt re With
all secrecy, and no one will be permitted 10
remain employed in any one SITUATION
sufficiently long to master the mysteries.
The small peninsula between Esquinault
and Victoria harbors is to be made impreg-
| nanle 10 attack from the sea and practically
so from the land. The fortihcatlons are
projected to extend from Poilt Macaulsy
all the way to the Esquimault harbor, lit
orally encircling the latter, its naval yard,
imperial dry dock, magazines and store
houses a system of tunnels Will connect
the pits and magazines. The guns will be
worked on the elevator principle. AT inter-
walls tremendous wells are TO be built, in
which will operate by hydraulic lower
and electricity large elevators, bringing
from the ground batteries OF artillery and
crews TO operate them, and sinking with the
men and guns back into the earth as soon
the latter have been fired. To provide
for any land attack two more parapet forts
are to be placed in the hills. Extending far
into the straits and protecting entrance to
both Esquimault and Victoria harbors there
will be laid network OF wires connecting
marine mines. The Notifications OF Esqui-
mault will be promptly forwarded by the
construction of less important. but still
extensive, works at or near Nanaimo the
coal supply thus being brought under pro-
lection and control.
Arguments for Separation.
MONTREAL, March 9.-Ex-Lieutenant
Governor Royal, of Northwest Territories,
recently viceroy of her Majesty, Queen
Victoria, and an ultra loyal servant of the
Dominion government, has issued bro
chure urging the separation of Canada
from the British empire He says the Cana
dian Constitution shows signs of INSULT
cheney, her equipment grows worse and
worse for the definite attainment OF tran
guilty within her borders, and her equi-
librium is menaced at several points OF the
social organism. Mr.. Royal devotes a chap
ter to showing that Canada has the right
to seek independence If she wants to. Eng
Canada, by taking large measurements of
self-government, has in erect taken the
power to leave when il suits her. In chap
ter Mr.. Royal shows that Canada's crit
ical commercial position makes a change
necessary. Her great commercial relations
are with the United states England only
comes second. Protection is necessary for
her manufacturers, yet she needs large
markets for them, which can only be OBJ
tanned by the exercise OF independent pow
ers to make treaties. Imperial federation,
which would separate Canada commercial
ly from the United States, would mean sui
eide. Free trade would be no better. Mr..
Royal claims that the fruit of emancipa-
ton is ripe and must be pluclked now to
benefit by it. Canada must take the first
step towards separation. as she is only an
embarrassment to the mother country.
True she would lose the protection Of the
British flag but the United States has no
interest in the con ;uest of Canada vi ct
Mr. Royal is one II the best French-C Can
adian writer's in Canada, and much impor-
lance is attached to his argument in favor
of separation from Great Britain.
The Proposed Pacific Cable.
LONDON, March 9.-The Times this
morning. commenting on the Pacific inter-
colonial postal and telegraph conference
held at Wellington, New Zealand, during
the present week. says that the conference
resulted in distinct advance towards re-
alizing the project of connecting Canada
and the Australian colonies by telegraph.
The Times describes the action taken by
the conference as to the guarantee of fnan-
cial assistance by the colonies and the
countries concerned to the company I'M
dertaking the contract to construct the pro-
posed cable, and says: "It is significant
that the movement which has just borne
fruit In the decision arrived at by the colo
NAL postal conference took definite shape
amidst the financial and commercial dill
cultieS through which Australia recently
had to struggle. Every year increases the
necessity of rapid communication with the
most distant parts of the empire, but every
year also Increases the risk OF the interrupt
cation in the event of war. a cable touch
ing land nowhere but on British soil might
prove Of priceless value under circum-
stances which we trust may never arise,
but which must be contemplated and pro-
vided for"
The Times then advises England's sup
port of the project, saying: I'm the event
of the establishment of an alternative route
to our most distant colonies great i'm
pulse Will be given to ordinary trade. The
cable now proposed Is a natural supplement
to all Of the lines of steamers, and by de-
grees it will be recognized as Indispensable
Therefore, ii is clearly the true policy of
this country to join Canada and Australia
in their efforts in making reality OF a
schSne which must be OF ben be1eft TO the
the way of immediate action, except the
question of cost
The Times refers in a complimentary way
to the efforts Of Mr.. Fleming, formerly OF
Canada and the Australian colonies into
closer connection, and says that, according
to his estimates, after seven years working
of the cable there will be no liability under
the guarantee fund.
STOPV EOp THE MARINES