The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1913-08-05
Reported to be Seeking Naval
Base to Guard Canal
WOULD INVOLVE LIFE OF THE
MONROE DOCTRINE.
The United States Government
Is Alarmed-Germany Also Has
Plans.

Washington-keen interest has been
aroused. here by a report reaching the
state department. that Great Britain is
contemplating establishing a great
naval base in the Bermuda islands. 1t
is stated authoritatively that the Brit
1sh government has made inquiry con-
cerning the plans of the United States
for the protection of the Panama canal
routes and it has been suggested that
this indicates an intention to safe
guard British shipping through the
1sthmus as is done in the Mediterran-
ean
Officials realize that the problem
raised is tremendous one, involving
as it may the very life of the Monroe
doctrine and marking a complete revo-
luton in foreign naval policy in the
western hemisphere. 1t is expected
that If Great Britain changes her naval
policy in American Atlantic waters,
other European nations probably will
follow that, with the opening of the
canal, the United States must contend
with Japan for the domination of the
Pacific.
The British navy abandoned it's ma
val stations on this continent about 10
years ago, when the United States
gave up the idea of the construction
OF the Nicaragua canal and set about
digging the big waterway across Pan
anna.
Apart from it's West India stations,
the royal navy maintained stations at
Esqulmalt, b. c., and Halifax, NJ S.
There once was a plan to strengthen
greatly the fortification at Esquimalt
overlooking the strait of Juan de
Fuca in order to make that an i'm
portant base but both of these sta
tlOns have now merely nominal ex-
1stence under the government of the
Dominion of Canada British troops
were withdrawn from st. Lucia in the
West Indias in 1906, the guns of the
Notifications were dismounted and it's
post Is today not even a saluting port.
IT Great Britain undertakes to es-
tablish herself in Atlantic waters, the
proposed Bermuda station, near Ham
llton, would occupy formidable posi-
ton. The present equipment there is
merger, but the garrison consists of
two companies of artillery, a company
of engineers and battalion of in
faptry.
By way of looking out for future
contingencies at the Pacific terminal
of the Panama canal, the British claim
ownership of Clipperton island, prob
ably the finest deep water harbor in
that part of the Pacific coast
While Great Britain is thus assert
ing herself, officials here remember
how long Germany has looked with
wistful eyes at the Danish West In
dian island of st. Thomas, which oc-
cupies strong position in relation to
the Panama canal. American naval
strategists always have favored the
acquisition by the United States of the
Danish possessions, years ago but
for American objection. Then there is
the Dutch island of Curacao, where
the Germans made themselves very
much at home in the blockade of the
Venezuelan ports by Germany, Eng
land and Italy in 1906.
( Diplomats at the state department
as we'll as naval strategists realize
that the determination of he future
ownership of these islands is one of
the important questions confronting
the United States,-Statesman.