New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-14
GIBRALTAR PASSING.
Not the Rock. but Its Importance
as a Fortress.

For nearly hundred years or since lts ca otrr,
\ In T04 by the British Admiral Rocks down TO a
very period. the rock OF Gibraltar has been
the synonyne Tor tmpregnabiity and It's possession
has been thought to invest Great Britain with an
absolute control over the entrance the Meditsr-
ranean
I IL dominates one OF the most trequsntsd waters
/ in the world From every quarter OF tbs wide
horizon which Is visible from its summit the steam
ship tracks converge. Those coming from tbs East
from the ports OF the Mediterranean from China
india. Australia and the far Pacific cross thos,
which arrive there from England and the United
States. from France and Germany. from South
America and Western Africa. and every ds,-
throughout the year nearly two hundred vessels de
h!e between the columns cs Hercules and pass IA
sight Of the gigantic fortress which stands there on
guard
S;sch being the case. II IL no wonder that Great
Britain. with its vast commerce. to protect and its
distant colonies and dependencies TO guard. should
these two centuries past have held on the place
with such tenacious grasp that it should have
spared nothing IN its EFFORT improve utter
most the natural advantages OF the POSITION and
10 make Gibraltar. In very fact the key the
Inland sea at whose entrance Il Is situated The
control OF the Mediterranean was never 50 tnDor-
tant 20 Great Britain It to-day when the road
to India and the East which used 20 lie around the
Cape Of Good Hope. has been diverted TO the Suez
Canal and the Red sea and to make % that
control against whatever opposition may be en-
coUntered has been and is the constant socituds OF
the British government.
Everything that is possible has been done. not
only TO render Gibraltar impregnabs, but 20 de-
veOp its full utility naval base. The rock has
been honey cOmbed with galleries and stocked the
limit with provisions and munitions OF In
mense cisterns have been built 70 hold the water
OF which the place by nature IS devoid. There Is
standing coal pile OF 10000 tons. regula-
strength OF the garrison Is 10O00 on the sum
nit OF the hill 200 OF heavy cafbre and modern
pattern have been Installed, and, as the harbor
insufficient tCr the present need the British govern
ment lately undertook It's extension. and Is now
engaged IN the execution OF plans. az estimated
cost Of S22.O000lO which u expects complste IN
about a year eighteen months from date
Yet q grave Doubt has been raised the wis
dom OF this expenditure. and there those who
declare that the which is placed in Gibraltar
appointed. That the position dominates the en-
trance to the Mediterranean has ceased 20 be true
Il did 50 IN the days OF sailing vessels, because
oV ing 20 the set OF the ocean currents such ves-
sells were compelled 10 come close the rock IN
order get through the straits Things differ-
coast. "a fourteen miles. and there is plenty OF
deep water or Ceuta. vessels propelled bv steam
traverse the narrOws beyond the effective range
Of the British guns. The domination Of the Ned
terranean BY the fortress IS az and end that r.
not all or the worst The experts have discovered
racks. everything. would be within range OF heavy
artillery placed Spanish soil anywhere along the
whole stretch OF the bay OF AlgeCiras distances
varying from 5000 70 1000 yards.
10 IL unnecessary 10 demonstrats the gravity o.
that Circumstances. It's effect upon the military
vaius OF Gibraltar r. obvious In view OF 10 90 rood
an authority SIR Charles Dixie IS arguing that
~ Spain could be induced 20 exchange Ceuta for
Gibraltar II would be good bargain for Great
-(Phnadelphia Inquirer