Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-10

consequently impaired.
For this reason 1t was deemed necessary
by the recent royal commission on ~coalins
stations to fortify the port Of Castries, in
st. Lucia. This place is also being very
much strengthened now, but not so much
money is being spent upon 1t as upon Port
Royal.
Castries is a natural fortress which can
be defended with little trouble. Castries
bay runs for several thousand yards inland
and the entrance is very narrow. One fort
could easily hold 1t. There are surround
Ing position on the and side, held by
small bodies Of troops, which would render
It exceedingly dificult for an enemy to
get possession Of the harbor. except by
gigantic operations, which. naval experts
say, could hardly be made by any Euro
pean nation so far away from its base.
The weak point with each OF these grow
ing fortresses is that neither Castries nor
Port Royal is able to repair even a tor
pedo boat, let alone a cruiser or a battle
ship. A war ship coming there damaged
from a naval battle could get coal, but II
could not get repaired nearer thar Ber-
muda. The French possess a splendid
craving dock at Martinique, where the
largest ship-of-war can be RENTED in case
OF accident or damage in battle. Millions
OF francs have recently been spent on this
dock and the Qualifications which surround
1t. h British authorities contemplate
providing Port Royal with either a craving
or floating dock, like that at Bermuda, at
a probable cost of not less than 81, 500, 900.
1t should be noted also that many millions
OF dollars have been spent within the two
last years in Strengthening the fortihca-
tions Of the ~dockyards and coaling stations
at Bermuda and Halifax.
The British government has solemnly de-
clared that these heroic measures are de-
signed merely for defense and are in no
way intended as a menace to the United
States. The idea is to maintain the bal
ance OF pow er in the Caribbean in view of
Americas acquisition Of Porto Rico; her
fertilization of Culebra, which, in time, ac-
cording to even British experts, will be the
greatest stronghold in the West Indies;
her lease Of coaling stations in Cuba, and
the cutting of the Panama canal.
France Spending Millions.
England is also starting some minor forth
h~cations at Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, and
that colony is to be garrisoned by British
as well as local troops. The garrison at
Barbados is also to be strengthened. In
British naval circles it is said that the
British North American and West Indian
squadron is soon to be increased by one-
half Of it's present strength, when the ships
now under construction in British dock
yards are launched. Just at present there
is not a single battleship in this squadron.
France is determined not to be left be-
hind in the race for power and prestige in
the West Indies. She has spent huge sums
on the defenses of Martinique and Guade-
I,VVAA h,N ~. -A1,IN- 49, ~ 49, ~
gether satisfactory, the government alleg-
ing that full return for the money expended
was not made. But more millions are to be
spent, and this time, no doubt, they will be
more carefully looked after. Meanwhile
the French squadron in the Caribbean is
being constantly strengthened.
Even Denmark, like Holland at Curacao
and surinam, is improving her forts at
Christianstad, on st. Croix.
Germany's Caribbean Policy.
Germany has no foothold in the Carib-
bean, but the opinion entertained by not a
few persons in the United States. that she
means to make a bold bid for one sooneT
or later, is shared by all the naval officers
and the better informed residents in the
West Indies.
Last January the writer was talking or
the subject with the captain of one OF the
British warships then blockading the Ven
ezuelan coast.
There's no doubt" said the ofhcer
that the Germans want a coaling station
here very badly. They have made a bluff
of wanting one in Hayti and on the isle Of
Margarita, but the place they really want
is Guanta. You know it, Well, isn't 1t ar
ideal spot for a coaling station2 It could
be as easily defended as Castries. A lovely
harbor, perfectly safe, a good depth o.
water and room enough for any feet. ThC
climate is excellent, supplies and provisions
are readily obtainable, and the heights
around the harbor could be easily fortified
so as to make the place impregnable ever
with a small garrison. The strategic posi-
ton is all that could be desired in relation
to the Caribbean and the Panama canal
Mark my words, thai is the place the Ger
mans have set their hearts on trying to 20
sooner or later"
"They will have to fight for It at first,
said the captains audience.
well. from what I have heard the Ger
man officers say, they seem to reckon OF
doing that" was the reply.
A profound conviction prevails in tn
West Indies that Germany intends, within
a few years, to make a very tempting BIZ
for the Danish Antilles. By that time he
navy Will be greatly strengthened, and 1
she can effect the purchase. she nights
the West Indians think-insist that tn
Monroe doctrine cannot legitimately pre-
vent one European power from transferrin
its American possessions to another.
The Cockpit of Europe.
However this may be, the West Indie
for centuries were the cockpit OF Europe
The navies of England, France, Spain an
Holland battled for national supremacy 4
the Caribbean sea
European and military strategists nov
In the Caribbean are Of the opinion tha
the fate Of the world may be decided Their
again, when the West Indies are restore
to more than their old Importance by I'll
construction Of the Panama canal. The
hold that this is the obvious inference fror
the strenuous efforts OF their countries [
strengthen their positions there at the cos
Of millions upon millions OF dollars.