CAB7-4 — Page 48

Page 48

Page 48

25

and

136. The estin of Esquimalt, however, must be regarded from the political as well as om the military point of view. It must be remembered that the influence of your Majesty's Government previous to and in 1867 was frecly exercised to bring out the establishment of the Dominion; that, further, in 1871 the Canadian Government was by the same influence induced to admit British Columbia àn Vancouver Island into the Confede- ration, the Dominion Government being bond by an Order of your Majesty in Council to construct a railway to the Pacin coast and to use all their influence "to secure the continual maintenance the naval station at Esquimalt," and, thirdly, that, so far from since repulating the deduction naturally to be drawn from the latter stipulation, the Board Admiralty have encouraged the Dominion Government to commence a dock at the port, capable of accommodating your Majesty's ships on the station, whilst the War Office has dispatched officers of distinction, one after another, to reprt as to the best mode of improving the defences.

f

137. Whilst we are of opinion that purely military considerations would lead the Imperial Government rather to concentrate its forces at stations on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, we do not overlook the fact that in the Dominion the wish may be strongly entertained that Vancouver Island Digest, p. 623. should continue to be the station of the Pacific Squadron, and that Esqui- malt should be so defended by permanent works as to render it a coaling and refitting station, to which, except in the case of war with the United States, the squadron could at all times resort with confidence. Should this be found to be the wish of the Dominion, and should the Canadian Government determine to provide adequate works and garrison for the defence of Esquimalt, we are of opinion that your Majesty's Government should supply the armament, and should give any professional assistance that may be desired.

138. Under any circumstances, it is right, in view of all that has passed on the question between your Majesty's Government and the Government of the Dominion, that no serious change in the disposition of the naval forces in the North Pacific which can affect Esquimalt should be made without the fullest and most frank communications with the Dominion Government.

VII. THE ROUTES ACROSS THE PACIFIC.

139. We have considered the expediency of establishing a coaling-station in the Pacific, intermediate between its eastern and western shores.

For the present no special measures are required in the Pacific for the protection of that part of the Australian trade which comes to the United Kingdom round Cape Horn. No foreign Power has a station within 1,500 miles of this trade route, and it is moreover not improbable that, as steamers supersede sailing-ships, the trade, which now amounts to 10,000,0007. First Report, paragraph 116. annually, may be much reduced.

140. When, however, the Panamá Canal is completed, much of the Australian trade will be attracted to that route, and a coaling-station in

the Pacific may become a question of more importance than it now is.

141. The relations of the United States to the Sandwich Islands, and of Digest, pp. 608, 611. France to the Society Islands, are such that any attempt to create a naval establishment in either of these groups would almost certainly raise political difficulties. Your Majesty has, however, two possessions which have been specially brought to our notice.

Fanning Island.

142. Fanning Island, in latitude 4o north, and longitude 149° west, is a Digest, pp. €08, 611. low coral island, in a central position, nearly in the track between San Francisco and Fiji, from which it is about 1,900 miles distant. The harbour is only suitable for vessels of light draught. The British trade which passes is at present insignificant, and being chiefly with North America, would naturally cease in the event of war with the United States. The other Maritime Powers, including France, have no stations in the vicinity, and

[1103]

H

Page 48

Page 48

Page 48