The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-04
England Contemplates
Great Naval Station
in Bermudas.
PROBLEM RAISED
is TREMENDOUS
Very Life of Monroe Doctrine
May Be Involved, and Com
plete Change in Foreign
Naval Policy of Western
Hemisphere Brought
About.

Washington, August 3-Keen inter
est has been aroused in official circles
here by report reaching the State
Department that Great Britain is. con-
templating n great naval base in tho
bermuda Islands. 1t is authoritativcIy
stated that the British government has
made inquiry concerning the plans Of
the United States for protection of the
Panama Canal routes. and IL has been
suggested that this indicates an inten-
ton to safeguard British shipping
through the IsthInus as is done in the
Mediterranean.
Oihcials realized that the problem
raised is tremendous one, involving
as 1t may the very life of the Monroe
Doctrine and making. perhaps, com
plete revolution in foreign naval policy
In the Western Hemisphere, for 1t is
expected that If Great Britain changes
her naval policy in American Atlantic
waters. other European nations prob
ably Will follow suit While these
changes may be expected in the At
lantic waters and the West Indies Off
Gals likewise realize that with the
opening Of the canal the United Stat ,a
must contend with Japan for domino
tion of the Pacific
stations Abandoned.
The British royal navy abandoned
Its naval stations in this country about
ten years ago, when the United States
gave up the idea of the construction
OF the Nicara guam canal, and set about
digging the big waterway across Pan
anna. whose approaching completion
bids fair to revolutionize international
relations.
Apart from it's West Indian stations.
the royal navy maintained stations at
Esquimault. British Columbia, and
HalifaX, Nova Scotia
There once was plar ~
greatly the fortifications at Esqui-
mault. overlooking the Strait of Juan
de Fuca, In order TO make that an i'm
portant base. but both these stations
now have merely nominal existence
under the government of the Dominion
OF Canada, and are little more than re-
cruiting stations for the royal navy.
British troops We're withdrawn from
St Lucia, in the West Indies, in 1905.
the guns were dismounted from forti-
fcations. and what once was great
military station became only a com
mercial coaling place. and is not to-
day even a saluting port
The three light draft cruisers-the
Aelous, Melpomene and the Sirius
flying the British colors. now base at
Kingston, Jamaica. They are insight
hcant as war vessels. corresponding to
such American cruisers az the New
Orleans and Albany. If Great Britain
undertakes to establish herself in At
lantic waters, ii is believed. the pro-
posed Bermuda station near Hamilton
would occupy formidable position
The present equipment there is meagrc,
but the garrison consists of two com
panies of artillery, a company Of en-
ginecrs and a battalion of infantry BY
way of looking out for future contin-
gencies at the Pacific terminal of the
Panama Canal, the British claim own
ership of Clipperton Island, probably
the finest deep water harbor in that
part OF the Pacific Ocean. While Great
Britain thus is asserting herself, Ger
many looks with wistful eyes at the
Danish West Indian Islands. of which
St Thomas occupies "A strong strategic
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