The evening times., 1899-01-28
ENGLAND EORTIFIES
old PORT ROYAL
Making the Jamaican Strong
hold a Second Gibraltar.
Part of a Plan Of Alliance With
America.
The Island 10 Remain Great Brit
aims and Become a Key to
the Isthmfan Canal

A letter from Kingston. Jamaica. written
On the Sth inst, says:
If Jamaica ever entertained any hope CT
annexation tc the United States the aspi-
ration has been quenched by the action CT
The imperial authorities.
There was time when it seemed as
though the British government were dis
posed 10 abandon jamaica as a naval sta
tion and concentrate the military and ma
val forces in the West Indies at San LUCIA
Ii VAS even sand that the War once was
prepared to dispose of the imperial real
estate interests at Port Royal TO the muni-
cipaiity OF Kingston.
This il was that gave hope to the an
nexationist faction that their idea might
become politically practicable, especially
in view OF the Ang.o-American entente
arising out of the Spanish-American war.
But the plans OF the United States TO Sc
cure a waterway across the isthmus have
completely changed the policy Of the Brit
ish government as TO the strategic posi-
.ions in the Caribbean-suppos.ng that the
notifications indicated were really con-
Jemplated.
Thought Little of DE Lcsseps.
Great Britain certainly never for mo-
ment credited the good faith of Count de
Lesseps' canal scheme, and after the col
lapse of the undertaking she apparently
made the mistake of contemplating GER
tain strategic changes among her West In
dian strongholds.
These plans were. however. suspended
in view of the movement in France to re-
commence work at a Panama on a lock
system, and meanwhile the American war
with Spain occurred. cRe Of the issues OF
which is the recognition for an American
controlled canal and the probability of its
prompt construction.
In either event Jamaica becomes the
strategic key to the canal. However the
lines of imperial communication and de-
fence may have shifted since the days OF
Benbow and Morgan, these latest develop
ments have once more impressed the impe-
rial government with a due regard for the
value of Port Royal strategic position
of the first magnitude.
In these circumstances il is not surpris-
ing that the mother country should decide
10 take Admiral Colombs advice and con-
vert the island into a second Gibraltar.
strengthening Old Port Royal.
Port Royal for some time has been the
scene OF busy operations in the strength
ening of cid fortiications and extension
OF new cnes.
Fortihcations Of the most powerful type,
equipped with all the modern appliances,
including electrical submarine mines, dis
appearing guns, etc, have been erected
during the past year or two and addition
al Improvements are announced by the
admiralty On the lines suggested by Ad-
miral Coiomb.
A naval depot and doclI-yard will be
established inside Of Kingston harbor
They viii be among the most extensive
md fUllE pnlTinnpd in tho R-ifiS1 -raT
and worthy to command The istLmian wa
terWay when il shall have been completed
Government engineers hsve been sur
veying the fcTeshores Of the inner harbo
for moHths, and have finally chosen sit
for the proposed dockyard al Greek Pond
10 the westward Of the city, short dis
tance beyond the railway terminus
Ii is said that the works will entail tn,
expenditure of more than 81. .25O 600 OF
local labor alone. What good thing thf.
will be fer the island only those can real.
fEe who are acquainted with its presen
condition OF industrial depression and so
cisl unrest
Although England is thus prepared t
hold jamaica within the imperial bonds
forever qucnching any hope of annexatio
10 the United States, there is far from be
ing anything in that determination mimi
cal 10 the unwTittcn entente between tn
two powers that is daily gaining il
strength.
On the contrary, the works at Jama;ct
are part Of the scheme for uniting and con
solidating the power and prestige of tn
Anglo-SaZon race.
Opinion From a EavaI Authority.
This IS the opinion of a naval authorit,
OF much consideration who recently said
old Port Royal was the centre Of (;
great maritime struggle which terminate
in the unchallenged supremacy CT Grea
Britain, not only in these seas. bu
throughout the wcrid. But times hav
changed. Other great naval poyeEs hay
arisen, and while We are still ahead @
them individually, any day a combiratio
against US might shGtter our power.
At this crisis our American cousin
step into the international arena, abrogat
the isolation of Monrosism, acquire colo
NAL possessions and propagats a foreigI
policy practically on all fours with ours.
Ihey become at a bound great naya
power As part OF their policy for tn
ILiure they propose cutting an isthmial
canal 10 give them control of their owl
coasts. and, incidentally. OF the Pacific.
In both England and America there /
a warm tendency to union. and a perma
rent understanding is practically assured
Together they will hold the balance OF ma
val power.
Situated as Jamaica is, when the cana
is made, she viii hold the keys of the Oh
World and the New, and serve as the raj
lying point for the concentrated naval an
military forces that will control the world
Two great oceans.
Thus, you see, that to the stupendou
alliance that viii hold alike the politics
and commercial future of the world in til
hollow OF its hand, while America contrib
utes the essential condition of the cana
we viii contribute its key in this match
less naval station and central rallyin
point
That, take it, is the true expIanatio
OF the great works that are about to b
inaugursted TO make Jamaica another Gi
braliar"