The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-07
HARBOR DEFENSES.
A Canadian Papers GIoatfng Over
British Superiority
81 Thomas 0n+a,.so T'

81 Inomas, Ontario. Times.
the American newspapers are calling at
tention 20 the defenseless condition of the
United States on the Pacific coast. In the
event of a war with Britain. They demon
strate the fact that the United States is
surrounded by British military Gordon
from the Bermudas. Jamaica, and other
points In the West Indies, TO Halifax on
the Atlantic. and from the great fortress
OF Esqnimalt at Vancouver on the Pa
ctfic. When Gen. Miles was in command
on the Pacific coast he called the atten-
ton Of the United States government to
It's defenseless position on the Pacific
coast
Esquimalt is the seaport of British Co
lumbia. on Vancouver island, sixty-five
miles from the entrance of the straits of
San Juan de Fuca. II Is navy yard and
the site of the formidable fertilization near
the terminus of the Canadian Pacific rail
way. 1t is one OF the means of defense
against the United states, and the basis
of attack for Great Britain in the event
OF a war with the United States, or any
of the Asiatic powers. 1t forms a part
of that military system OF which the Ca
madam Pacific railway is the right arm.
The British government has expended
millions in building dry docks navy yards
and making surveys for Notifications AT
Esqumalt, and there is now stationed at
that point feet or warships under a Brit
ish admiral.
So far as Pacific coast defenses are con-
cerned. the United States Is completely at
England's mercy. A British feet could
destroy every town and city on Puget
sound within ten days. destroy the rail-
road system there. and occupy all the out
lets for that Northwestern country. They
could also send ships up the Columbia
river and destroy the city OF Portland
or. and railway systems there. Accord
ing 10 Gen. Miles report. there is not a
gun or an earthwork on the Puget sound.
nor single artillery soldier. At Fort
Candy. AT the mouth OF the Columbia river
near Astoria. there are few obsolete
guns. but that fort Is not now occupied by
soldiers.
Then, again. south Of San Francisco
there IS not gun IN POSITION, a round OF
ammunition or a single artillery soldier 10
defend the harbors and cities of San Diego.
Santa Barbara and san Pedro. the termi-
nus OF one OF the railroads. and from those
points a small British force could destroy
the railway system in Southern California
In regard 10 the entrance 10 San Fran
cisco harhor the famous Golden Gate
the same authority states that from the
defective character Of the carriages and
emplaCements upon and IN which the ex-
listing armament Of that harbor Is mount
ed q is not possible 20 fire single gun
with a service charge. nor could THIS
state Of affairs be remeiged within a
month. II a foreign ship Of war should
enter the harbor AZ San Francisco and
tho artillery troops he required 70 man
tho guns and make the best defense they
could they could not with safety 20 them
selves fire a single gun with regulation
charge.
Great Britain IS well ne other first and
second-clNss powers. IS fully cognizant Of
{
could enter Golden Gate harhor and de
troy not only san Francisco. hut co;lld
proceed along the entire Pa~ia> coast
and destroy every American city which is
a seaport. II would be possible for q for
eisn ship 70 lie entirely outside of the
hsrhor Of san Francisco and throw shot
of from i.oeo TO 9.e0 pounds weight into
the Palace hotel. which stands about The
center Of san Francisco. As that famous
hotel IS distant about seven miles r. m
tho Golden Gate. the enormous power OF
modern w8sships IS ia this one instance
forcihly demonstrated.
Here Is food FOR thought for thaso
SOmhastAc Americans who, on very u~e-
text. loudly advocate twisting the tsr{tssA
Hons tsil England IS something or a
twtSter he~self when she thinks she nsS
Sufficient occasion. and the tail feathers
az tfe American eagle. as represented F,1
tha p8rlfs coast extremity Of The United
safes. is not ir q condition ~ Withstand
uurh serious twisting As things now
stand g. looks as though RE owners or
t5f.S rlea.tt1- aGpeutREe should 20 SLOW
IN 2SSgmi ing aggressive atfitY3sS csre-
ciaily toward England. untl ,hey have iu-
aurura.ei an efficient system II coast
defense. extending from san Francisco
70 Seattle AVA Port Townsend. RON prac-
ticaNv iefeuseiesS aud az thc mercy q
any foreign power which chooses 10 axe
a ~ A4~r4 y -
dooiiAisn in Vhtch cur netEhhor across
IL Line narA,A -carx inf.lgas