Arizona republican., 1914-09-13
GERMANY's NORTH SEA GIBRALTAR

Germahys great naval base in the North Sea and her chief reliance for the protection in the present is the little island of Heigoand which she obtained from England quarter of a century ago in exchange for Zanzibar. When the exchange was made Helisoand was mere fishing island Since then it has been transformed into veritable Gibraltar, with home for small war craft, including drigbles and waterplanes
 In speech he delivered to his sailor escort August 10, 1890, Emperor William said The island is destined be us a bulwark on ,ne sea- d protection for the German fisherman a base for my warships and stronghold and defense for German waters against any enemy who may take it into his head to show himself upon them" At the time the words received in England with q good deal of incredulity A jibe repeated if not invented by Bismarck that Germany had given away a pair of trousers and received button in exchange" passed from mouth to mouth.
 Time has, however, brought the Emperor his revenge and the doubters of of years ago now admit with some reservations, it is true that his prophecy is in a fair way of fulfillment, and that Heligoand is likely to prove valuable main stay in the defense of the German empire in the present titanic struggle
 For number of years past Germany has fol- lowed policy of discouraging the visits of any for eigners to Heligoland, But enough has been learned of the operations carried there to show that the little island is of the most formidable naval fortresses in the entire world and that it is probably unassailabe Gibraltar itself
 Heligoland protects the mouths of four rivers. including the Elbe and the Weser. protecting seawa has been built half round the island. and from the high Oberland the biggest and best Krupp guns on disappearing platforms command all breaches from the A tunnel pierces the island from west to north through which ammunition and other material may be safely taken Huge scarce lights discover every distant vessel at night, and there is powerful wireless station
 The crumblng cliffs the island have been protected against the ravages of the with long buttreSses of granite twentysiX feet high and six teen feet thick Innumerabe rifts and crevices have been filled with concrete. The plateau has been studded with armored casemates and sunken bat teries, from which the huge sweep the for radius of miles. Stately barracks and official buildings have taken the place of the humble cottages which formerly the only human habi- tations the island.
 To the south of the lower part of the island 2 new island has arisen from the waters l. is half as big Heligoland itself and built on mate rial brought from Germany. This new island pro vides shelter for torpedo boats, destroyers, Sub- marines and cruisers On this island are also maga- zines and sheds for arships of all sorts
 Millions dollars have been expended by Ger tar few years ago the garrison was only 100 strong, but last year the number was increased to 1900. Tn the light of developments of the present war, military experts believe that Germany will have to regret the exchange of Zanzibar for Heligoland with Great Britain in 1890