The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1896-01-29

lfehezueien minister 10 tho u4ets1 Staten
formidable military garrison, hut Is also
superbly equipped naval staaion, witt,
all tho appurtenancca necessary for tho
care and repair OF warehips. Throo great
forts guard on each side the Earrow en-
trance to Its hnrbor, about two miles from,
tho ocean. Submarine mines, torret!o
outfits and all the paraphcrnn!h Of defonse
arc In place and ready for Immediate 40.
top. OF late The islnnd has been uscd as
station where insubordtnate troops and
those whose services at home have not boon
satisfactory have boon oxiled for three or
four years. The famous troops which
gave tho military authorities attached to
the queens household threo years ngo 80
much annoyance were sens there but aft
erward were transferred to ST. Thomas,
so miles distant, on account Of tho un-
healthy conditions.
St. Thomas, until St. Lucia became
Great Britain's station Of great impor-
TANGO in tho West Indies, was her main
military point and carries garrison still
Of several thousand well organized and
equipped men. Hundreds OF others are
understood tn be stationed there, ready to
DO dispatched to st. Lucia In event Of
trouble.
This country, on the othor hand, hes
nct single possession in the islands
whore rcfugo for ships or supplies could be
received. Great Britain, naval officers
and experts On warfare at tho war depart
MEET say, has realized that II sho erer got
u trouble with the United States tho war
would be carried on on this s!Ge OF the
ocean, and that without coaling stations,
repair shops and supply dcpots no success
full hostili,ies could be pursued They
point to Halifax Bermuda and ST. Lucia
as we'll 0s to St. Thomas and Kingston rs
the network Of stations on the cast COAST
OF tho United States and to Vancouver
OH tho west, where there rs one Of tho f1n-
est naval stations in tho world.
These stations aro not only powerfully
-sarriSonod, but have every facility for
docStng and repairing warships The total
number IS british soldiers they carry Is
not known, but an ccsicss Of the army be.
neves that they would not fall far short Of
the entire standing strength Of I've onieed
States army. In observing the pow es o.
Great Britain near our own coast, and the
facility with which she could lind thou
sands OF men from St. Lucia, officers OF
the military service do not take into CON-
alteration the resources she would bring To-
to play ut home. They predict that, should
the United Suites determine to oppose &C.
QUESTION OF the land In dispute, her chan
mel fleet alone would be required to land
as many soldiers In Venezuela as she might
deem proper and ut the same time pre-
vent the United States from getting reg
iment ashore. Her policy, naval stxate-
gfsts declare. would BE- to intercept at once
any fleet of waYships we might gnther for
the purpose Of giving safe convoy to regu-
lars and national guard, and this, shey
say, she would havo no difficulty In doing.
The Condition Of Our Navy.
The present available fighting strength
OF our navy could not be materially in
creased undur three months, With ship
yards working night and day. The best
part OF tho navy Is now at sea and most
OF the ships on foreign stations, and OF the
real fighting class there are but three bat.