The sun., 1896-02-25
THERE DEFENCEs ARE NEEDED.
The Importance or the kootenni Rivse
Commercially md StrnteEicniiy.

The Importance OF the KootenRi Rivse
Commit rcinliy md StrnteEicnlly.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Str: In view
OF the Senate bill appropriating nearly $780,
100000 for coast dofences, word OF warning
regarding one of our weak points cannot seem
out of place.
Outside of tho States Of Idaho. Montana, and
Washington there are. perhaps. not a hundred
persons who have ever heard Of the Kootenai
River. II 80 great an authority on our national
geography as Judge Charles p. DAILY should DO
questioned regarding this stream. he would
probably confess his Ignorance OF its location.
its commercial and its strategic value to the
United States. When q few years ago an ap.
preparation was asked in Congress for snagging
IT, none except the few Northwestern Represen.
tatives had any knowledge OF It's existence al
all. And when the Hon. Willis Sweet declared
1t to be n stream OF greater length md breadth
than the historic Hudson, and OF moro diversi.
fed scenic spcndor, and an avenue Of unlimited
possibilities Of international trade. bis words
wero received with incredulity. In times oa
peace the Kootenai River is very Important
but in the event OF hostilities with Great
Britain its value to American commerce could
scarcely be overstRted.
The stream has its origin In British Columbia,
within few miles OF the source OF the Colum.
bia From its hcadwaters 1t flows directly into
Montana, and thence westward until 1t crosses
the State OF Idaho for thirty miles. and then.
taking n northerly direction again. enters the
the river Joins the town Of Jennings, on the
Great Northern Railroad. with the Fort Steele
idnh" ectiom OF the Kootenai River affords con.
nection by navigation between the city Of Bon-
9fcis sy Of hs Il e ai
portion oft kootenai which Is chiefly deserv-
I of hs t Ihs of sh who tho will
the IN illions to be appropriated for defence.
At the present time there is line Of Canadian
inc S' fO I % %
ports situated on this stream. Along the line
sss,,onsS es oaa sr@Ss Ss snnssi
International trade with the Kaslo-Slocan ooun-
into the thousands, and is steadily growing.
The Canadian population at the mouth Of tho
is now sufficient to make several large cities. u
takes but ten hours by steamer to make the trip
s sey s4 snG e G1ss,
Another five hours by stage would bring the
to the hsSwaS rbs Ps'q
dueer in the world Its wonderful resources
fore probable that within a few years a thickly,
Il no, dGnssly 81 populated region will 6s found
Hostsn, systems Sf American railroads, The
IN communication with the Can adian capital 50
that the people stll have their unneigheCry
pEeJuulCeS leu Dy u partisan press, q partisan
pulpit, and partisan legislature.
The damage the Canadians in times of hos.
tility could do, were their entrance into this
country not impeded by way Of this river. IL
readily imagined; With a fleet Of boats at their
service they could float up the stream with .
small army OF invaders and by soizing the two
tween large part Of the east and the west
could be brought into the country by means of
dangerous access to the United States OF an
easier one for Canadians does not exist.
Troops from any portion of the Dominion could
be conveyed over the Canadian Pacific and
thence up the Kootenai. and thus effect easy
invasion of our country. affordnR an enemy op.
portunities for disastrous work hard to repair.
OF the vast sum to be appropriated, few
thousand dollars spent in the establishment OF
suitable defences on the Kootenai River, where
IT crosses the international boundary line, would
prevent these possibilities. The situation would
permit of the construction OF breastworks and
the maintenance of batteries at a very small
cost. l conscious OF the difficulty of i'm.
pressing upon Eastern audience the pro.
Carious condition OF this section in case of war;
yet, through the medium OF THE sun. some.
thing in the right direction should be done.
The valley OF the Kootenai Is now being
rapidly settled up by American citizens There
Is room for thousands. and the ad vance guards
are here. To leave these hundreds of settlers
in danger of hostile invasion by an enemy can.
not be justified. Their modest possessions are
as much entitled to protection as the treasures
and property of their Eastern brothers.
BoSNER's FERRY, IDAHO, Feb. go. B. 8.