New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-04
BRITISH PLAN GREAT
BERMUDA NAVAL BASE
Other European Nations Also
Likely to Change Policy
Toward Western Waters.
PROBLEM OF VAST MOMENT
BY Threatening the Monroe
Doctrine It May Revolu-
tionize International
Relations.

Washington. Aug. 3.-Keen interest has
been aroused in official circles by re-
port reaching the State Department that
Great Britain is contemplating establish
ing great naval base I'm the Bermuda
Islands II is stated authOritatively that
the British government has made in
quiry conce rning the plans Of the United
States for the protection of tho Panama
Canal routes and il has been suggested
that this indicates an intention to safe
guard British shipping through the
isthmus. as is done in the Mediterranean.
officials realize that the problem raised
is tremendous one. involving as it may
the very life OF the Monroe Doctrine and
marking perhaps complete revolution
In foreign naval policy In the western
hemisphere. For II Is expected that II
Great Britain changes her naval policy
In American Atlantic waters, other
European nations probably will follow
suit.
While these changes may be expected
in the Atlantic waters and the. West
Indies. officials likewise realize that with
the opening OF the canal the United
States must contend with Japan for the
domination OF the Pacific.
The British royal navy abandoned its
naval stations In this country about ten
years ago when the United States gave
I'D the idea Of the construction OF the
Nicaraguan Canal and set about digging
the big waterway across Panama. the
approaching completion OF which bids fair
"a. oil
Passing Into Oblivion.
Apart FROM its West Indian stations.
the royal nav maintained stations at
Esduimault. British Columbia and Hall
fax. Nova Scott. There once was
plan to strengthen greatly the FORTH
cations at Esquimault, overlooking the
Strait of Juan de Fuca, In order TO make
that an important base. but both OF
these stations now have a merely nominal
existence under the government OF the
Dominion of Canada. and are little more
than recruiting stations for the royal
ravy.
British troops we're withdrawn from 81.
Lucia. In the West indies. In 1905, the
guns were disnounted from the fortiiica-
uOfls ana WHAT OIltt vas a ki'hN hAi'NH''
station became only a commercial ooaling
place, and is not to-day even saluting
port.
The three light draft cruisers. the
.11olus, Melpomene and the Sirius, flying
the British oolors. now base at Kingston
Jamaica. They are insignificant as war
vessels. corresponding 20 such American
cruisers as the New orleans and Albany
II Great Britain undertakes to estab-
lish herself iu Atlantic waters. however
the proposed Bermuda station. near Ham
ilton. would occupy formidable position
The present equipment there Is measre'
but the garrison consists OF two com
panies OF artillery. company 81 en-
gineers and battalion OF infantry.
Claim Hold on Pacific.
by way OF looking out for future con
tingencies al the Pacific terminal of the
Panama Canal. the British claim owner
ship Of Chpperton Island, probably the
finest deep water harbor In that part OF
the Pacific Ocean.
While Great Britain is thus asserting
herself. officials here remember how long
Germany looked with wistful eyes at the
Danish West Indian Island OF St Thomas,
which occupies a strong strategic position
in relation TO the Panama Canal. Ameri-
can naval strategsts have always favored
the acquisition by the United States OF
the Danish possessions, which Germany
would have taken over years ago, but for
American objection.
Then there is the Dutch island Of Gu
racao where the Germans made them
selves much at home during the blockade
OF the Venezuelan ports by Germany
England and Italy, I'm 1903. Diplomausts
at the State Department as well as naval
strategists realize that the determination
Of the future ownership OF these islands
is one Of the important questions con-
fronting the United States.