Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-03

Venezuelan minister to the United States.]
formidable military garrison. but is also
superbly equipped naval station, with
all the appurtenances necessary for the
care and repair of warships. Three great
forts guard ON each side the narrow en-
trance to its harbor, about two miles from
the ocean. Submarine mines. torpedo
outfits and all the paraphernalia Of defense
are in place and ready for immediate ac-
ton. OF late tho island has been used as
station where insubordinate troops and
those whose services at home have not been
satisfactory have been exiled for three or
four years. The famous troops which
gave the military authorities attached to
the queens household three years ago SO
much annoyance were sent there, but aft
erward We're transferred to st. Thomas,
so miles distant, on account of the I'M
healthy conditions.
St. Thomas, until St. Lucia became
Great Britain's station of great impor-
lance in the West Indies, was her main
military point and carries a garrison still
Of several thousand well organized and
equipped men. Hundreds of others are
understood to he stationed there ready to
be dispatched to St. Lucia in event of
trouble.
This country, on the other hand, has
not single possession in the islands
where refuge for ships or supplies could be
received. Great Britain, naval officers
and experts ON warfare at the war depart
ment say, has realized that if she ever got
in trouble with the United States tho war
would be carried on ON this side of the
ocean, and that without coaling stations,
repair shops and supply depots 10 success
full hostilities could be pursued. They
point to Halifax, Bermuda and ST. Lucia
as we'll as to st. Thomas and Kingston as
the network of stations ON the east coast
of the United States and to Vancouver
Oh the west, where there is ono of tho fin
est naval stations in the world
These stations are not only powerfully
garrisoned, but have every facility for
docking and repairing warships. The total
number of British soldiers they carry is
not known, but an officer of the army be-
lieves that they would not fall far short of
the entire standing strength of the United
States army. In observing the power of
Great Britain near our own coast, and the
facility with which she could land thou
sands of men from St. Lucia, officers of
the military service do not take into con-
sideration the resources she would bring in
to play at home. They predict that, should
the United States determine to oppose ac-
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 at the same time pre-
vent the United States from getting "a reg
iment ashore. Her policy, naval stratc-
gists declare, would be to intercept at once
any fleet of warships we might gather for
the purpose of giving safe convoy to regu-
lars and national guard, and this, they
say, she would have no difficulty in doing.
The Condition of Our Navy.
The present available fighting strength
OF our navy could not be materially in
creased under three months, with ship
yards working night and day. The best
part Of the navy is now at sea and most
Of the ships on foreign stations, and Of tho
real fighting class there are but three bat