The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-10


The early completion OF extensive forth
7casions at Esqulnalt, described by the
Victoria correspondent Of the Post-lnteii-
gencer revives interest in projects for the
protection of the American shore. The
presence of Cen. schofeid should be taken
advantage of 20 present to him the condi-
fions not only on the British side OF the
line, but in the immediate neignborhood
OF the chief American cities likely 20 be
affected by warlike proceedings in the
northern Pacific. lie win readily compre-
bend the danger and the needs Of all COM
mercial points on Puget sound.
The subject is not a new one. Reports
have frequently been made in the past
upon the necessity OF some protection by
military officials In 1853 Gen. Nelson A.
Miles made q report 20 the war depart
ment In which he made some excellent
suggestions. Complete control. he said. Of
the waters OF Puget sound and approaches
IS of the greatest importance TO the ma
ton Situated on the northern boundary.
in sight OF the great naval establishment
of England at Esauimait, they connect
and form part OF the inside water COM
OF Alaska. The foreign and domestic tor
mage engaged In the water carrying trade
is large and the vicinity is destined TO be
. center of wealth. population and manu-
featuring industries. as wei as OF vast
system of transcontinental and coast rail-
traa 10 has
of Puget sound are comparatively con-
tracted and afford good sites for fortifica-
tons on land. which. by judicious selec-
ton. may be made to menace the COM
munications of the neighborfng power and
TO protect our own with Alaska. Gen.
Miles added that he thought the United
States government should take an equal
interest with the British government in
the establishment OF a naval station in
this part Of the country. 1.-The British
government" he explained. sis now spend
ing a very large amount of money in COM
pleting its navy yard and dry docks at
Esquimalt and has kept during the past
ten years from single ship of war to
small feet in those waters" After de-
scribing the several points at which he
thought Notifications could be effectively
placed, he, in a letter to the war depart
ment, said: 81 again call attention to the
importance of Notifications at the en-
trance of Puget sound
Lieut.. Col. j. p. Sanger. who is with
Gen. Schofield, is an authority upon coast
fortifications. having been directed about
six years ago to make a report upon the
subject. In his report he said: "Of Sc
attic and Tacoma II is unnecessary to say
more than that although they bid fair to
soon rival Portland in wealth and impor-
lance. they. as well az other settlements
along the Sound. are entirely defenseless
agains. any foreign cruiser which may
visit their harbors.r
Gen Miles did not rest with one report.
but pressed the subject upon the atten-
ton of the authorities. An extract from
one of his letters is Of exceptional interest.
lie says:
Military and naval officers have re-
ported and recommended for years I'm
provement In the condition OF the defenses
OF this Coast. Legislatures. boards OF
trade. chambers of commerce and political
conventions have petitioned and prayed
the general government to take action In
this matter, and yet the wretched de-
fenseiess condition OF the Coast has con-
tinued 10 the present moment Five years
ago. while in command OF the Department
OF the Columbia, organized a board of
officers 20 make a thorough examination
OF the condition of the Northwest coas.
and forwarded their recommendation.
showing that at that time there was not
single gun in position to protect the cities
OF Puget sound and the great commercial
interests OF that northwest country; and
not dollar has been spent In that direc-
ton since
The officials directed at various times 20
investigate the subject have united In rec
ommending not only that Notifications
should be erected. burt that an arsenal
should be established on the Pacific coast.
and gun foundry. They consider that
the money saved in transportation and the
military advantage IN time OF war would
fully Justify the expense
II may be a long time before they are
called into requisitlon. but their absence IL
war ever should break out would probably
result In a fearful loss to the whole coun-
try.