The herald., 1895-07-24
THE NEW GIBRALTAR

NlClOhlA, July l.-WlthIn
a year it is confidently expected the
Straits of Fuca will echo to the music of
the shore guns at Esquimait, Great Bri-
tain's new and most modern line of de-
lenses at the southern extremity of Van
couver island. Never has military un.
dertakiDg in time Of profound peace been
prosecute d with stricter secrasy than the
construction OF these fortifications. and all
that Victorians know about the marvel
GUS system of protection at their doors
might be told in few brief sentences
that the new forts are designed for stern
work. not for display; that their arma-
ment will be the most modern and best
in the world; that submarine mine
and torpedoes are prominent feature
that the forts are located somewhere
in the bowels of the earth between Point
Macaulay and Esquima alt navy yard; that
the magazines are stocked for seige if
necessary, and that the wo,k of construc-
tion is now nearly accomplished, and
that OF equipment has begun.
At present the subaqueous mines are
being placed in position at the entrance
to Esquimalt harbor and in the Royal
Roads, and the point is beginning to
again assume1 more the appearance of a
well-ordered military barracks and less of
great mining camp.
Readers OF the Post t-Intelligencer were,
when the work commenced. given an idea
OF the plans of the fortification--a syste m
of great tunnels and ordnance rising
therefrom on giant elevators hydraulically
operated--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 in consequence changed
considerably. The hill has disappeared
and hundreds of tons of earth and rock
from the excavations have filled in the
miniature valley. How the forts look
from the shore none can say save the
uncommunicative officers in charge, tor
in the past two years the scene of opera
tions has night and day been surrounded
by line of sentinels, to pass whom moth
ing less than an order from the imperial
war office was required. The workmen,
too, have been changed about SO that it
would be impossible for any of them,
even should he feel SO inclined. to d s.
close the secret of the stronghold. And
not even the highest officers of the resident
militia have as yet been admitted within
the sacred precincts bounded by that
faithful sentry line.
Now that the greater part OF the work
OF construction is over, it is probable that
less secresy will be exercised, but at no
time can the general public expect to
gain admittapce to the forts as they do
to the warships. They are not esta blish ed
lOI tHc III SlEHt-SceIS.
One certain indication that the fortifi-
cations are rapidly approaching com mple-
tlon is that the first installment of arma-
ment is to leave England this month, to
be tollowe at Intervals during the year
or more by other important shipments.
Another is that the wives and children of
the permane mt resident garrison aave
commenced to arrive from the old coun-
try and take possession of the married
mems quarters. And still third sign i
found in the recent special visit of Gen.
eral Herbert. commander in-chief of the
British forces in Canada. and his depar-
turs 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
engineer under Colonel Rawstorne and
Major Muirhead. respectively. The force
OF 200 or 800 at present In possession of the
barracks will be quite sufficient to keep
the place in order in peaceful days, and
shonid war at any time cast its shadow
over the land. the British Columbian bat
talon of garrison artillery will be found
quite competent to defend their homes
and England's honor. In view of such an
emergency, the headquarter militia COM
panies have during the past year or so
been put through a course of special train
ing by instructors from the royal marine
dItIueIy, pTaCtiCdl artillery WOrK Delng
given them, and patriotic enthusiasm be-
ing strengthened by cash bonus Of $50
to each man attending the gunnery
classes. Besides this, a handsome new
drill hail has been provided for them,
they have been supplied with every mil.
tary luxury and necessity. and have gen.
orally been dealt with on a scale of liber-
ality tnat would simply sstonisn any vol.
unteer corps in eastern Canada.
All Of this points to but one conclusion.
Just now the special training Of the
battalion is suspended. The men who
have taken the prescribed course have
been examined and inspected and GER
Each and all are, however. re-
qulred to take q further course within the
Notifications as soon as the heavy ord
nance shall have arrived and been placed
in position.
And as the artillery must be ''proved"
at least once every three months. accord
ing to regulations citizens of Puget sound
need not be alarmed If they hear neavy
during the present summer.
It will not be the thunder of hostile
feet simply the barking OF the watch
dogs on guard at her Britannia majesty's
Pacific headquarters Chicago Chronicle.