The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-19
FRANCIS NEW NAvAL STATIONS.
Flgst Stop Toward Independence of Engliah
Gables and ConiinE Dspots.


The French Government. after a long study
OF the subject. has at length decided on tho es-
adjustment OF a number OF naval stations In
different parts OF the world. They are six in
number. three being in Africa. one in Gndo-
China, one in tho West Indies and one in Aus
t~rnlaslan waters. Except the one in Indo-
China IL does not appear that there Is any
present Intention OF making them more than
fortified coallnG or repairing stations of the
second order.
The points selected In Africa nre Dakar. at
Capo Verde. about midway between the Sem
eGal and The Gambia rIvors. on the extreme
point OF West Africa. StrntegicAlly speaking.
this point appears TO have been we'll chosen.
Ns It lies on the flank OF the routes between the
different parts Of Europe and South Africa.
and at n convenient distance from the Cape
Verde Islands In the direct line OF communica-
ton between Europo and South America.
II Is connected with tho other parts OF
Africa. the Cnpo Verde Islands and
Europe by submarine cables. and when
the trans-Sahara telegraph wires are laid
will be In direct relations with Algeria
by land. On the opposite side Of Africa. at
the entrance TO the Red Sea. 0bok has been Sc
lected on account Of the Importance OF its stu
ation on the line OF communication between
France and her far Eastern possessions and
Madagascar. The third African station is on
the island OF Madagascar itself. at Diego Suarez.
which will serve as a base for ships engaged In
the observation OF the lines Of ocean travel be-
tween the Cape Of Good Hope and Europe by way
Of the Suez Canal and the direct sea route to
eastern Asia and the southern Pacific. As yet
Madagascar ia unconnected with the rest OF the
world by telegraph. but the matter is under
consideration OF the French Colonial ONCE. and
a decision is expected before long.
The station In Indo- China will be located at
Cape st. James. on the southeastern coast OF
Cochin China. 1t is in direct connection with
Singapore on the south and Hong Kong to the
north by cable. as we'll as with the Anam and
Tonquin settlements by an exclusively French
cable. Besides serving as n coaling and re-
victuaIlinR station. Cape at. James will be a
naval base for the French China and Pacific
s1uaorons, and be fortified and equipped ac-
fE%9rdinglyi L is about eqTidist ant from Hong 3pgE
direct route between the former and SinGa-
pore. Dependent on Cape st. James to a GER
Caledonia, viii have an Importance Of it's own.
on account Of Its isolated situStion In the centre
n Rev SRe 2 ei5G g f SHd Fiji 9 isl ths s eoIdsfe australian
The West Indian station Is to be st. Pierre, In
Martinique: the mos, suitable location that
t%raiasia, it will be an isolated outpost in Ameri-
toriai interests to protect. Except as relies OF
past power on this continent. the French Ameri,
can possessions are Of little else than historical
value to France: and In the course OF time. as
the attention Of the French people becomes
centred on their African andlfar Eastern acgui-
sitions. they win be less reluctant to allow
them to attach themselves to the power toward
which they must naturally Rravitate.
The decision to establish the naval stations
who is ayailinR himself Of his position OF Min
ister OF Marine to give effect to the plans for
the reorganization OF the French Navy and the
protection OF the French colonies. which he has
and in the press. AS n part Of the system
Of naval defence. the French Government
is occupying itself with. the question OF
submarine cables. Outside the establish
ment for the manutacture OF telegraph
cables. which the Gov eminent possesses al
La Seyne. there are others. the principal one Of
turning out 625 miles OF cable a month. Al
present the Geographic communication be-
tween France and her colonies is almost entirely
In the hands OF English companies. which
would be a, manifest disadvantage in time, o!
war. In order to rectify this it is now intended
to proceed with tho laying OF new direct cables
between France and her more important dis.
tant possessions.