Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-09

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
Notifications at Port-of-Spain, Trinidad,
and that colony Is to be garrisoned by
British as well as local troops The garri-
son 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 launched. Just at present there
is not a single battle ship in this squadron.
France IS determined not to be le1t De-
hind in the race for power and prestige
in the West Indies. She has spent huge
sums the defenses of Martinique ana
Guadeloupe, but the results have not been
altogether satisfactory. the government
alleging that full return for the money ex-
pended 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 strength
ened
Even Denmark like Holland at Curacao
and Surinam, is improving her forts at
Christianstad, on ST Croix.
Germany'S Caribbean Foucy.
Germany has no foothold in the Carib-
bean. but the opinion entertained by not
few persons in the United States, that she
means to make a bold bid for one sooner or
later is shared by all the naval officers
and the better informed residents In the
West Indies.
Last January the writer was talking on
the subject with the captain of one of the
British warships then blockading the
Venezuelan coast
There's no doubt" said the officer, that
the Germans want a coaling station here
very badly. They have made bluff of
wanting one in Haiti and on the Island OF
Margarita, but the place they really want
is Guanta. You know it? Well, isn't it an
ideal spot for a coaling station? 1t could
be as easily defended as Castries. A lovely
harbor perfectly safe. a good depth of
water and room enough for any fleet The
climate is excellent, supplies and provisions
are readily obtainable, and the heights
around the harbor could be easily fortified
so to make the place impregnable even
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. that Is the place the Ger
mans have set their heart on trying to get
sooner or later
"They will have to fight for 1t at first"
said the aptains audience.
well, from what l have heard the Ger
man officers say, they seem to reckon on
doing that" was the reply.
A profound conviction prevails in the
West Indies that Germany intends, within
few years, to make very tempting bid
for the Danish Antilles By that time her
navy will be greatly strengthened. and if
she can effect the purchase, she might-so
the West Indians think-insist that the
Monroe doctrine cannot legitimately pre-
vent one European power from transfer
ring its American possessions to another.
The Cockpit Of Europe.
However this may be, the West Indies
for centuries were the cockpit of Europe.
The navies of England, France, Spain and
Holland battled for national supremacy in
the Caribbean sea.
European and military strategists now in
the Caribbean are of the opinion 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
strengthen their position there at the cost
of millions upon millions of dollars