The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-07
THE NEW GIBRALTAR.
Eupland's Great Fortress on
the Straits of Fuca.
BUILT WITH UTMOST SECRECY
II Secretary Lamont Could Pass the
sensfncls at Esquimalt He Would
See Things to Make Him stare.

Victoria. July s.-Special-Wfthin year
4. is confidently expected the Straits OF
Fuca will echo tho music Of the shore guns
q Esquinlalt. Great Britaln's new and
most modern line Of defenses at the south
ern extremity of Vancouver Island Never
has q military undertaking in time OF pro-
9otndest peace been prosecuted with
stricter secrecy than the construction OF
these Notifications, and ali that Eictori-
ans know about the marvellous system OF
protection at their doors might be told In
few brief paragraphs-that the new forts
are designed for stern work, not for dis
play; that their armament viii be the
most modern and best IN the world; that
submarine mines and torpedoes are a
prominent feature: that the forts are
located somewhere IN the bowels or the
earth between Point Maeauisy and Esqui-
malt naval yard: that the magazines are
stocked for siege IL necessary. and that
the work OF construction Is now nearly
accomplished and that Of equipment mas
begun.
At present the stsbaqueous mines are be-
fng placed in position a. the entrance TO
Esauirnalt harbor and in the Royal Roads.
and the point is beginning TO again assume
moro of the appearance OF well-oFdered
military barracks and less that OF a great
mining camp.
Readers Of the Post-Tntelligencer were.
when the work commenced, given an idea
OF the plan OF forfihcatlon-a system Of
great tunnels and ordnance rising there
from on giant elevators automatically OPP
Grated; the guns visible and exposed only
in the brief moment required TO sight and
fire them. This general plan has been
faithfully carried out and the topography
of the point as viewed from the water
has I'm consequence changed considerably.
The hin has disappeared and hundreds CT
tons Of earth and rock from the excaya-
fions have filled in the miniature valley.
How the forts look from the shore none
can say save the uncommunicative officers
fn charge. for in the past two years the
scene of operations has night and day
been surrounded by line of sentinels. 10
pass whom nothing less than an order
from the imperial war Office was required.
The workmen, too. have been changed
shout so that II would he impossible for
any of them. even should he feel so in
clincd, to disclose the secrets of the strong
hold And not even the highest officers of
the resident militia have as yet been adj
rlitted within the sacred precincts bounded
by that faithful sentry line.
Now that the crater part of the work of
construction is over. II is probable that less
secrecy viii be exercised. but at no time
can the general public hope to gain adj
mittance TO the forts as they do to the
warships. They are not established for
the gratifation OF sight-seers.
One certain indication that the fortiii-
cations are rapidly approaching compile
ton Is that the first instal.ment of arma-
ment Is to leave England this month, to
be followed al intervals during a year or
moro by other important shipments An
other is that the wives and children of the
permanent resident garrison have com
menced TO arrive from the old country and
sarg.
tiers. And still a third sign is found In the
recent special visit of Gen. Herbert, COM
mander-in-chief of the British forces in
Canada. and his departure for England
Immediately thereafter to report.
1t is not thought likely that any large
additions Will be made to the permanent
forces of Royal marine artillery and Royal
engineers under Col. Rawstorne and Ma.
Muirhead. respectively. The force of two
or three hundred at present in possession
OF the barracks will be quite sufficient 10
keep the place in order In peaceful days,
and should war at any time cast Its shad.
ow over the land. the British Columbia
battalion OF Garrison artillery will be
found quite competent 10 defend their
homes and Engiand's honor. In view Of
such an emergency the headquarter mill
tia companies have. during the past year
or so. been put through course OF special
training by instructors from the Royal
Marine artillery, practical artillery work
being given them. and their patriotic en-
fhusasm being streng thened by a cash
bonus OF $50 10 each man attending the
gunnery classes. Beside this handsome
new drill hail has been provided for them:
they have been supplied with every MILL
sary luxury and necessity. and have gen
orally been dealt with on a scale OF liber-
alty that would simply astouud any volun-
teer corps In Eastern Canada.
All OF which points 10 but one conclu-
sion.
Just now the special training OF the bat
TALON is suspended. The men who have
taken tho prescribed course have been ox-
amlned and inspected and certifcated.
Each ana all are. however. required "a
take further course s'ithin the fortinca-
sions 80 soon as the heavy ordnance shall
have arrived and been placed IN position.
And as the artillery must be proved
at least once in every three months. &C
cordiug TO regulations. citizens Of Puget
sound need not he alarmed n they hear
heavy cannonading during the present
summer. II will not ~ the thundev Of a
hostile fleet; simply the barking OF the
watehdogs on guard AZ Her Britannia Ma
3esty's Pacific headquarters.
THE ALASKA BOUNDARY.