The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-26
THE TIMES: RICHMOND, VA. SUNDAY, JUNE 90, 1898

what more likely than that France, with
the sanction OF her allies. should seihe
this point and prociai mher sovereignty
over Newfoundland? And. Indeed, TINS
country Is we'll worth having In many
respects. With the finest cod fisheries
in the world. with valuable deposits or
iron. copper and coal. with magnificent
timber forests and areas OF agricultural
land. II IS a possession that any country
might be pardoned Tor seeking 70 secure.
Another fact must not be overlooked:
Newfoundland IS the only part OF North
America a foreign power could reason
ably hope 20 retain after conquering IT.
A foreign power could not hope 20 obtain
a footing on the mainland. but this island.
with its strategical advantages, would
suit as well. II not better It's command
of tho north Atlantic would be complete.
Canada would be at its mercy. and even
the New England coast would not be safe
from is rayages.
The logical sequence Of Certifying St
Johns would be 10 adopt the same policy
with regard TO POri-aux- Basques, tne
other terminus Of the railway line. II
commands Cabot Strait. and IS the Key
10 the ST. Lawrence, ana any foreign
warshlp intending to attack quebec or
Montreal would have 20 run the gauntlet
a.
Communication between & and St Jonn 3
would be both safe and speedy by the new
railroad stores. munitions, and men
could be transported from the one place
20 the other within a day and with the
newly discovered coal fields 10 supply the
coal required Tor tho cruising needs or
British warships. these could do great
mischief II an enemys vessels ventured
into thee waters.
Seamcn 10 the number or thousands
are available here s. needed. The hshlng
feet from Gloucester. Mass, IS halt
manned by Nowfoundianders. end on the
outbreak OF the present Spanish-Anerl-
can war some 200 sailors left here 10 VOL
unteer in the United states navy. Inc
military spirit has been fostered mere
OF late years by rhe establishment OF
school corps. so that when the organiza-
ton Of volunteer regiments is proposed
hundreds OF fairly well drilled young men
viii be available. on tho whole, then, Il
socrns evident that not alone IS II Wise TOT
England to fortify st. Johns and MAKE
her occupation OF the colony efectlNe'
hut thar also the steD will result I'm many
ADVANTAGEOUS circumstances OF minor
nature. The announcement OF inc com
ina, Of troops has been hailed with dell8ht
bv the Younger elements OF the populs
ton. while tho more far-sceing regard II
as as assurance that England mas deauel
10 protect the colony and the usneiles'
and % prevent n foreign power from Sc
curing a Judgment on IT'S coasts. AT pre-
sen, the coast IA patrolied every year by
a squadron Of four small British cruisers.
whose main business Is TO prevent and
decide disputes occurring between the CO.
louial and French fishermen along the
treaty shore This season the squadron
consists OF the flagship Cordoba Conlno-
doro the Hon. NJ. A. Bourke. VINO com
nauded the battlehip Victoria when she
was rammed and sunk by the camper
down fin the Mediterranean five yotrs
ago. the Pelican, Capt Horsley' the Far
fridge. Commander Van lngen. and the
C,oifn,bine Commander Williamson
These would probably form the nucleus
of tho proposed squadron 10 rendezvous
here. though some faster ana larger ai"Ps
would doubtless be added. ana with tnes'
and the batteries commanding the en-,
trance TO the harbor, TINS porl Woulu
become another OF England strongholos
IN the New World.
France maintains another %"
here for n like purpose. with headquar-
tors at 81 Pierre. and for this season
it will consist Of the Clochcterie mag
shlp) Ricuault de Geouiliy, and Fulton
1,he British squadron is much superior
in ships. armament. and men 10 that oil
France tho latters vessels being WooneI
and obsolete. Furthermore, these thre'
vessels arc all that France maintains
i'm North American and West lndiar
waters. whereas the four British ships
are only q minor section u the splenob
fleet which England possesses IN the same
waters under Admiral Flsher.-N' \ sun