Its Imjjeiial Importance. '^^ 



England and her dependencies ia the East, and of strengthening 

 the defences of the Empire at large. Possessing as she does the 

 great steam fleet of the world, and the power of increasing it to 

 still larger proportions, she can always maintain a steady and 

 secure communication with China, Japan, Australia, and even 

 with India, and all other countries in which she has important 

 interests at stake. From her depots at Halifax, or other places 

 on the Atlantic coast of the Dominion, she can in four days 

 reach the shores of the Pacific, and supply a fleet ordered to 

 protect her interests in the East, should they ever be threatened 

 by Russia or any other Power. It is well known that Russia is 

 creeping down the coast of Mancl. uria to the borders of the 

 Corea, and has already taken possession of the island of 

 Saghalien. Mr. Laurence Oiiphant, in a recent issue of Blcck- 

 wood's Magazine, has shown that she has had her eyes for years 

 on Tsusima, which occupies a commanding position in the 

 straits separating Corea from Japan. Whilst preserving 

 Bladivostock, at the extreme southern corner of the Russian 

 Asiatic coast, as the base of all serious operations, she is likely 

 sooner or later to seize Tsusima, or other available spot in those 

 Eastern waters, and '• fortify it as a marine station, well armed 

 and provisioned, whence her fleets can issue at all seasons, and 

 prey upon our commerce and bombard our colonies."" Should 

 ever a great struggle for the supremacy in the East occur 

 between England and Russia — and there are many keen students 

 of Russian policy and history who believe it is inevitable in the 

 course of time — the ports of Canada and her trans-continental 

 line of railway must be found invaluable auxiliaries in supporting 

 the honour and dignity of England, The fishermen and sailors 

 of the Dominion must prove an element of great strength in the 

 maintenance of the line of communications with England and 

 those countries with which she is politically or commercially 

 identified. They can man the vessels necessary to protect our 

 ports, and otherwise assist in the naval defences of the Empire. 

 A thousand stalwart fishermen from Nova Scotia would aid 

 materially in the defence of British Columbia or any other 

 section of Canada. 



Looking then at the maritime industries of Canada from an 

 Imperial as well as a purely commercial standpoint, we cannot 

 fail to see how intimately connected they are with the security 

 of the Empire. AVe all know that no country can be truly great 

 that has not a seaboard and does not follow maritime pursuits. 

 Spain sank low in the scale of nations as her maritime power 

 declined with the loss of her great colonies. The prosperity of 

 Italy has increased with the growth of her commerce and ship- 

 ping, and she need no longer lament the palmy days of Genoa 



