Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-05-23

troops, which would render 1t exceed
ingly difficult for an enemy to get pos
session Of the harbor, except by gi-
gantic operations which, naval experts
say, could hardly be made by any Eu-
ropean nation so far away from its
base.
The weak point with each Of these
growing fortresses is that neither Cas-
tries nor Port Royal is able to repair
even torpedo boat, let alone a crui-
ser or battleship. A warship coming
there damaged from naval battle
could get coal, but she could not get
repaired nearer than Bermuda
The French possess splendid grav-
ing dock at Martinique, where the
largest ship Of war can be refltted In
case Of accident or damage in battle.
Millions Of francs have recently been
spent on this dock and the fortifica-
tions which surround 1t.
The British authorities contemplate
providing Port Royal with either q
craving or floating dock, like that
at Bermuda, at probable cost Of not
less than $2.500.000. It should be no
ted, also, that many millions Of dollars
have been spent within the last two
years in strengthening the fortifica-
tions Of the dockyards and coaling
stations at Bermuda and Halifax.
The British government has declar-
ed that these measures are designed
merely for defence. and are in no way
intended as a menace to the United
States. The idea is to maintain the
balance Of power in the Caribbean in
view Of Americas acquisition Of Porto
Rico; her fortifications Of Culebra,
which, in time. according 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.
England is also starting some minor
at Port-of-Spain, Trini-
dad, and that colony Is to be gari-.
Isoned by British as well as local
troops. The garrison at Barbados Is
also to be strengthened. IS.
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
dockyards are launched. Just at pres
ent there is not a single battleship in
this squadron.
France Is determined not to be left
behind in the race for power and pres
tige in the West Indies. She has spent
huge sums on the defences Of Martini,
que and Guadeloupe, but the results
have not been altogether satisfactory.
the government alleging that full re-
turn for the money expended was not
made.
Eut more millions are to be spent.
and this time, no doubt they will be
more carefully looked after. Mean
while. the French squadro n in the
Caribbean Is being constantly strengths
ened. s5.ss 49,
Even Denmark, like Holland at Gu
racoa and Surinam, Is improving her
forts at Christianstad, on st. Croix.
Germany has no foothold In the
Caribbean, but the opinion entertained
by not a few persons in the United
States, that she means to make bid
for one sooner or later Is shared by
naval officers and residents In the
West Indies.
Last January the writer was talking
on the subject with the captain Of one
of the British warships then blockad-
ing the Venezuelan coast.
There's no doubt" said the officer,
that the Germans want coaling sta
ton 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 an
ideal spot for a coaling station? 1t
could be as easily defended as Cas-
tries.
"a lovely harbor, perfectly safe, a
good depth Of water, and room enough
for any fleet. The climate Is excel
lent supplies and provisions are read
lily obtainable, and the heights around
the harbor could be easily fortified 90
as to make the place impregnable even
with a small garrison.
1.-The strategic position Is all that
could be desired In relation to the
Caribbean and the Panama canal.
Mark my words, that Is the place the
Germans have set their heart on try
ing to get sooner or later.
"They will have to fight for 1t at
first" said the captain to some one In
the audience.
"Well, from what I have heard the
German officers say, they seem TO
reckon on doing that" was the reply.
A conviction prevails in the West
Indies that Germany intends, within
few years, to make q very tempting
bid for the Danish Antilles. BY that
time her navy will be greatly strength
ened, and II she can effect the pur-
chase, she might, so the West Indians
think insist that the Monroe doctrine
cannot legitimately prevent one Euro
pean power from transferring Its
American possessions to another.
However this may be, the West In
dies for centuries were the cockpit Of
Europe. The navies Of England,
France, Spain and Holland battled for
supremacy in the Caribbean
sea.
European and military strategists
now in the Caribbean are Of the opin-
ion that the fate Of the world may be
decided there again, when the West
Indies are restored to more than their
old Importance by the construction Of
the Panama canal. They hold that
this is the obvious inference from the
strenuous efforts Of their countries to
their position there at the
cost Of millions upon millions Of dol
York Sun.