The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1897-10-02
ANOTHER GIBRALTAR.
Hno1and.0 New Stronghold On the
Straits OF ruca.

Hnsland.s New Stronghold On the
6traits Of 1uoa.
Great oesrssy MahtaGasa DszAne che
Ceastzuseaea e4 the feefreo -De-
1ogaD11oa o1 tAe Woe1n
aAA AxznaAeaG. r.
Within . year It = confidently ex.
pectsd the Straits Of Fuca viii echo the
music Of the shore gums at Esquimalt,
Great Britain's new and most modern
limo Of defenses 1t tho southern ex-
tremity Of Vancouver island Never
has military undertaking in time Of
profoundest peace bean prosecuted with
stricter secrecy than the construction
of these fortifcations, and all that the
VictoriAns know all about the marvel
GUS system Of protection 1t their doors
might be told in . few brief paragraphs
that the new forts are designed for
stern work, not for display; that their
armament will be the most modern and
best in the world; that submarine
mines and torpedoea are . prominent
feature; that the ''forts" are located
somewhere in the bowels Of the earth
between Point Macaulsy and Esqui-
malt naval yard; that the magazines
are stocked for siege If necessary, and
that the work of construction Is now
nearly accomplished, 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 assume more of the appearance
Of weu-ordersd military barracks and
less that of great mining camp.
Readers of the Seattle Post Intelli-
genoer were, when the work COM
menced, given IN idea Of the plan of
fortidcation-a system of great tunnels
and ordnance rising therefrom on
giant elevators ALPHABETICALLY operated;
the guns visible and exposed only
in the brief moment required to sight
and fre them. This general plan has
been faithfully carried out. and the
topography OF the point, ~ 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 filed in the miniature valley.
How the forts look from the shore none
can say save the uncommunicative off,
GERS in charge, for in the last two years
the scene Of operations has night and
day been surrounded by line of senti-
nels, to pass whom nothing 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 disclose
the secrets of the stronghold. And not
even the highest officers of the resident
militia have as yet been admitted with
in the sacred precincts bounded by that
faithful sentry line.
Now that the greater part of the
work Of construction is over it is prob
able that less secrecy will be exercised,
but at no time can the general public
hope to gain admittance to the forts as
they. do to the warships. They arc not
established for the qualification of
siGhtseers.
It Is not thought likely that any large
additions will be- made to tho perlna-
nent forces Of Royal Marine artillery
and Royal engineers under Col. Raw
storne and Maj. Mnirhead respectively.
The force Of two or three hundred at
present in possession of the barracks
will DO quite sufficient to keep the
place In order in peaceful days, and
should war 1T any tame cast its shadow
hA M ~ ~ S~h Nj - 80
TALON Of Garrison artillery will be
found quite competent to defend their
homes and England's honor. In view
Of such m emergency the headquartsr
militia companies have during tho last
year or % been put through course of
special training by instructions from
the Royal Marine artillery, practical
artillery work being given them, and
their patriotic enthusiasm being
strengthened by cash bonus of dfty
dollars to each man attending the gum
merry classes. Besides this handsome
new drill hall has been provided for
them; they have been supplied with
every military luxury. and necessity,
and have generally been dealt with ON
. scale Of hberahty that would simply
astound any voluntssr eerps In eastern
Canada.
Ali Of which points to but ono con.
clusion.
Just now the special training Of the
battalion IL suspended. The men who
have taken the prescribed course have
been examined and Inspected and GER
tificated. Each and all arc, however,
required to take . further course with
in the fortifcations - soon - the heavy
ordnance shall have arrived and been
placed In position.
And - The artillery must be proved"
1t least once In every three months, 90
cording 10 re9ulations, citlzens Of
Puget Sound need not be alarmed IL
they hear heavy cannonading during
the present summer. It win not be
the thunder Of . hostile Aeet; simply
the barking of the wstcAdogs on guard
at her Britannic majestyb Pacific head
RFsGaxln0A Aos oeeA 1tne.
Already French architects are esnd-
ing In plans for the great exhibdtion of
1890. No fewer than one hundred and
twelve competing designs are ON view
in the PAlAis dYndustrie. The condi-
tions laid down by the French govern
IrEVI 9sRA