The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-26


Iron ore OF superior quality Us found az
Belle Isle, eighteen miles from here.
II Is exported 20 the extent OF 10000 tons
annually. but now that local coal has
been discovered smelling works are % be
erected. and within a short period the
port Will be perfectly independent OF out
side aid in the coalng and repairing OF
warships. These points have no doubt
impressed themselves upon the impc-
rial authorities Within the har'bor could
lie IN perfect security. a squadron OF
warships which. within Jew hours.
could sweep the ocean east and west
clear of an enemys ves&els ana spread
havoc and destruction in unexpected
quarters. Halifax IS an immense naval
depot for Great Britain. but most ocean
shipping never passes near II. so that Il
would not be nearly as advantageous IN
that respect az ST. Johns
Another very important consideration
is that created by the recent completion
Of the railway across the island. II ex.
tends from St. Johns 10 Port-au-Basques
the southwestern point OF the island.
near Cape Ray. and within a few hours
run by steamer OF Sydney, Cape Breton.
The channel between these two points.
known as Cabot Strait Is daily trav-
ersod by the fast steamer Bruce. a L.
knot boat run by Contractor Reid, who
built the road across the island. and she
provides daily communication with the
Canadian-American continent. This
route affords England unequalled facil-
tiles FOR the transportation Of troops from
the mother country TO Canada. and even
TO the far East. St Johns Is only 1910
miles from Liverpool, and n fast auXil-
fairy cruiser like the Campania would
cover the distance I'm three and a quar-
ter days, landing contingent Of 5000 or
1000 troops here almost before the enemy
would know they had left. These troops
could be hurried across this island and
land I'm Sydney IN another twenty-four
hours and thence they could be carried
20 their destination by the Canadian
railways.
BY calculations as 10 the saving in
time by the Newfoundland route It has
been demonstrated that the passage 20
Montreal can be shortened by thirty
six hours The ship which carried troops
here could make round trip each week.
which would he impossible II she pro-
ceeded on 20 Halifax or Montreal
Strategically. also. the island of New
fDuBdland occupies a unique position I'm
North America. IL dominates the Gulf
Of St. Lawrence. the water gateway Of
tho great Dominion Of Canada. Glance
no the map again and you will see that
Of Bell Isle. on the north Of this island.
and Cabot Strait on the south. the bulk
Of Newfoundland blocking, as II were. the
stream that rushes down from the Cana
dian uplands. The value OF the Island
therefore. is manifest, I'm that whoever
owns II Is absolute master OF the ST.
Lawrence and the water-bOrne commerce
Of Canada. With Newfoundland I'm the
possession Of a power hostile 10 England
the commerce Of the Dominion would be
crippled. Every ship almost that goes up
or down from Montreal for several
months OF the year passes Cape Race
and would be- liable to capture by the
country holding St. Johns Then the
possession Of the island. with It's naval
station al 81. Johns, would be Of the ut
most value I'm naval and military opera
tions. because II would AFFORD facilities
for controlling the ocean and blockading
or preventing a blockade Of the St. Law
renee.
England cannot afford 10 allow any
other power-F'rance. for instance-tO Sc
cure a hold on Newfoundland Should
that occur Canada would be disrupted
In the first place II would parable the
trade OF the dominion. In the second
place the French-Canadian population OF
Quebec would revel in the thought Of re-
viving the past glories OF a new France
on tho Western hemisphere Of wrestling
back from "perfdious Albion" the fair
provinces Of which France was despoiled
after Wolfe captured Quebec. The dan
serious one. and the wonder is
that England should have overlooked Il
so long. II a foreign power. al the begin
ming Of a general war, We're TO pOunce
down upon this colony. helpless and I'M
protected as Il IS. and were 10 throw a
force Of men into st. Johns ar< assign
n few y iDs TO sweep the adjacent seas
she would do England vastly more harm
than b. any more pretendOus epedition.
In vegy truth the island would then be-
come a thorn I'm the flesh Of England. for
IL would be impossible for a British shic
10 enter or leave the St. Lawrence. Moth
ing flying the British nag. unless a pow
erful warship. would be safe. and a few
foreign cruisers In the unrrequented har-
bO-s. with which the coast abOunds
would DO able 20 tie up the whole ship
ping OF Canada. Under these circum-
, stances the decision 10 leave no chance
for another power 10 seize the island was
very prudent one, and the sooner the
| Johns is fortified the sooner will one of
| Eng.ands weak spots be made secure.
For nearly 200 years there has been a
never ceasing controversy between Eng
J land and France over the fishing rights
| or the latter on what - known as the
! French shore OF the island. France has
| a vested right IN Newfoundland and
l,ousands of her fishermen ply their vo-
cftion I'm it, waters every summer Eng.
| lish generosity gave her the islet NJ 81.
| Piorf,-Maueion ~ q shelter FOR those
| fishermen and their vessels. and Frances
return for this kindness was 10 fortify
the place IN direct violation Of the treaty
| provisions. In the event. therefore Of
| hostilitiss between Franco ana England