The sun., 1897-09-23
The Strategic Waters South of Us


The parallel which Capt. MAHAN draws,
in Hdr.pers Maguzine, between the Medi-
terranean and the Caribbean Sea, as strate-
gic areas, needs only to be stated to show
it's force. That both are land.girt seas,
that each Is interposed between two great
continents. that each is bordered by an
isthmus Of transcendent Importance in the
worlds plans Of interoceanic commerce, are
features obvious at a glance. There are
other points Of resemblance, too. and of
course certain points of contrast; but the
matter of Importance for our country Is
that, while the highest strategic value of
the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea
is perhaps yet to be practically developed,
we ought to dominate those waters.
The Gulf and the Caribbean Sea are
clearly separated by the projection of two
peninsulas, Florida from the north and
Yucatan from the south, while between
them Cuba stretches across two hundred
miles of the distance. The central point of
commercial Importance for the Gulf is the
mouth of the Mississippi and for the Ca
ribbean the Isthmus. The former Is already
ours, and we are bound by treaty to assure
safe transit over the latter within a certain
area, and are now planning to cut a canal
through Nicaragua which we shall control.
The additional points which Capt. MA
HAN mentions as of leading strategic con-
sequence are Pensacola and Key West on
our shores Havana, Cienfuegos, and Santi-
agode Cuba in Cuba; Kingston in Jamaica ;
Samana Bay, ST. Thomas, Martinique. and
Santa Lucia, as we follow the chain of the
Antilles eastward; then, on the southern
shore of the Caribbean, the island OF Cura-
Goa, Cartagena, Colon, and the Chiriqui
Lagoon finally, Off Yucatan, the island Of
Mujeres.
Pensacola's value is In being an ultimate
naval base, which Key West could not be.
because it is a small island without re-
sources, although its advanced position
makes it effective for the daily needs of a
fleet, such as ammunition and coal. Pen
sacola and the mouth of the Mississippi also
provide two bases for our Gulf coast line,
a distinct advantage, the only bad feature
being that they are too near, and so would
allow a strong enemy to watch both with
out great dispersal Of his fleet.
Santa Lucia and Martinique are the chief
eastward positions of Great Britain and
France respectively. although adjacent ISL
ands might aid, as, for example, Antigua,
which might play n part toward Santa
Lucia like that of Pensacola to New Or.
leans. But Cuba, 600 miles long and
half as large again as Ireland, not only
Is unique in size among the islands OF
| the Caribbean and the Gulf, but has the
| advantage in shape Of allowing supplies
| for the ships to be carried safely from
point to point by land, whereas an enemy's
fleet might have long distances to travel
between tn" same points. Jamaica has but
one-tenth the size of Cuba, but is enough
for a power Of enormous maritime strength
like Great Britain. II Spain were at wal
with the latter country, the strategic value
of Cuba, as Capt. MAHAN explains, might
be extremely great. On the other hand, he
shows that Jamaica Is of special superiority
In relation to the lsthmus, and Kingston Ia
an excellent harbor and station.
The advantages of the Chirtqui Lagoon
were thoroughly made known when ou
Government, some years ago, considered the
project of acquiring 1t. Midway between
Greytown and Colon, 1t il well situated
both as to the Panama and the Nicaragua
canal routes; but everything would have
to be created there, in taking it for nava
base. Colons Importance is of course OBJ
vious, while Cartagena, 800 miles east ward
with its good harbor, is of strategic value.
Curacoa has fine harbor, which might
be made impregnable; but SO long as it be
longs to Holland it is likely to be eliml
mated from consequence in war. Mujerei
Island Is on the Yucatan Passage, tn,
one road from all the Gulf ports to tn,
| Caribbean and the Isthmus Rut nautical
} ity may be expected OF it as of Curacao
because it belongs to Mexico; and in an,
case its anchorage is barely tolerable anc
it is without defences. In fact, Cuba ha
no rival in Mujeres for the control of tn,
: Yucatan Passage, as it has none In natura
strength aud resources for the control o
the Florida Strait.
SamGna Bay and st. Thomas, for the az