San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23
MAY
CD F Or AIR
STATION
England Considering
Exchanging Giant
Rocky Point.
BY Universal Service.

LONDON, Aug. 22.-Shall Great
Britain give up the Rock of Gibral-
tar?
The question--inconceiva short
time ago-has now become reason
able in view of the visit Of Major
General f. B. Ashmore and Air Vice
Marshall j. NJ. Steele to the historic
rock. They made the trip in order to
investigate the possibilities Of its
aerial defense, and it is understood
they themselves have raised the point
whether, assuming that Spain were
willing, Great Britain should not sur
render Gibraltar in exchange for Ceu-
ia on the African shore Of the Straits.
Since the Mediterranean has re-
placed the North Sea ms the center
of gravity for the British navy the
matter has become crucial. 1t is
argued that modern weapons greatly
discount the value of Gibraltar as a
fortress and as secure base for the
British fleet.
Those experts who declare that
Gibraltar is out of date point to tho
indisputable fact that modern howit-
zers firing from the Spanish mainland
could prevent ships entering the har.
Dor.
COST WOULD BE GREAT.
Further space is so restricted that
taking-off and landing by aeroplanes
are difficult, and the establishment of
an effective aircraft base is said to
be almost impossible. Finally, these
experts assert, if sea communications
we're for any reason interrupted and
at the same time Gibraltar was denied
supplies from Spain, it's resources
could not maintain the garrison for
long.
Ceuta, say the experts, provided a
sufficient hinterland were included,
would offer more favorable conditions
for defense in time of war There
would be more room for manoeuyering
the mobile elements of its military
garrison aircraft defense could be
provided: its approach by land would
be a difficult matter for an army Of j
any size owing to the natural diff
culties of the surrounding countryt
and it could remain independent Of
supplies from overseas for a greater
length of time.
Proponents of the plan ARGUE
against the scheme on the grounds or
the heavy expense and considerable
delay that would be involved in con-
verting the harbor at Ceuta into a
suitable naval base. In view of the
huge sums spent at Gibraltar in the
past, and the urgent need for national
economy this view undoubtedly car
ries great weight.
SENTIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS.
There is also a sentimental argu-
ment. Gibraltar has been regarded as
vital British possession ever since
Admiral Sir George Rookie, with
Dutch aid. captured il in 1904. Its
defense by Sir George Elliot in the
great siege from 1910 20 1888 is one
Of the outstanding events in British
history, and the story of how the
chief attack from the sea was defeated
by red-hot shot is still told and re-
told throughout Britain. To aban-
don fortress with such priceless as
sociations would unquestionably cause
n vehement outcry.
\ section Of Spanish politicians
vigorously demands the return of the
Rock to Spain, but there has been no
suggestion of giving Great Britain
Ceuta in return. ..r
Gibraltar is three miles in length
and varies in breadth from one-quar-
ter TO three quarters of a mile. The
rock rises to 400 feet and is twelve
miles from the African coast. The
enclosed harbor covers 40 acres.
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