The San Francisco call., 1897-12-06
Structure of II

VICTORIA, B. c., Dec. 3.-With all the
rapidity possible without exciting sus-
picion Great Britain is increasing her
naval strength in these waters. Not that
she expects trouble with her American
cousins-not at all. Ask any officer. civic
or military, in her Majesty's service in
his province and ne will assure you that
the relations between the two countries
were never more friendly; that a rupture
is the last thing to be thong bit of. He
will draw your attention to the arbitra-
ton treaty, TO the ostentatious considera-
ton shown the United States diplomatic
corps everywhere in the mother country
and the similar attentions shown the
British representative at Washington,
and conclude with that dear old thread
bare statement about blood being thicker
than water.
But with all these friendly sentiments,
that officer knows that while the heads of
the two Governments are hobnobbing
with apparently never a thought that
any hing but the best of feeling can ever
exist, away out here on the northwest cor
ner OF the continent, this almost forgot
ten little offspring OF the British lion is
snariing menaclngly at Its unsuspecting
neighbors just across the straits OF San
Juan del Fuca, egged on by the parent.
This snarling has not vet attracted any
attention, but it cannot continue much
longer without beng motto d, and when
once the attention OF the American Gov
ernment is drawn TO it there is certain 10
be demand made for an explanation.
The cause is not difficult Of solution,
aud in fact was candidly admitted by an
officer of the British Columbia militia,
which has charge of the Notifications in
this vicinity, two d ays ago.
England is alarmed al the awakening of
the United States to the necessity of pro-
tecting itself against possible foreign in
vasion, and with each step the Americans
take towarI self-defense Britain intends
to take two. She processes to have no
fear, but she does not intend to allow
even her friends to place themselves on
an equal footing Ii she can prevent IT,
Years before the United States made
any move toward guarding its western
coast. plans for the protection OF VaDcou-
yer Island and the mainland of British
Columbi were prepared. Successive
boards OF army engineers were sent out
from England with instructions 10 revise
and improve upon the reports of their
predecessors, until it was thought that
perfect system of defense bad been pre-
pared This included Notifications on
McCauley Point, that separates the har-
bors OF Victoria and Esquimalt, and on
the west shore of the latter harbor sweep
ing around Royal Roe
Other batteries We be placed at
points along the strai,s TO Cape Beale, the
southwesterly point of Vancouver Island,
TO prevent the landing of hostile forces
and an attack from the rear. These plans
were adopted about ten years ago and the
work of construction almost Immediately
begun.
Esqufmat is the British naval station
on the Pacific Here the largest drydock
on the coast is located. 1t Is built OF
stone and is capable of holding the great
est attle-ships. Its length to the gate Is
45O feet on a level with the keel blocks.
The width of the gates are 65 feet, while
the depth OF water varies from 27 feet to
Z9o at the springs, according to the sea-
son OF the year. That portion OF the
British Pacific feet not on duty on the
South American coast is usually rendez-
voused In the land-Iocked little harbor,
and in consequence Esquimalt was the
hrst TO be fortified.