Fortifying Points

Having made Victoria and Esquimault harbors impregnable the British war office is now taking another step in making Esquimault one of the strongest strategie points in the emuire, says an exchange. In a letter from Admiral Stephenson, it was stated that the ships in the north Pacific squadron would be soon replaced by modern warBhips, among them being at least one 01 the first class, like the Powerful or Terrible. Not only that, but it is iftended to fortify every pregnable poin along the line of the CanadiaD Pacific railroad. The north Atlantic fleet is also to be greatly strengthened and the object of fortifying the railroad is to render co-operation between the two seaboards practically certain in case of war. The Atlantic fleet has been accustomed to summer at Halifax and winter In the West Indies and the Paeifle fleet spends the summer at either Callao or Honolulú, staying the rest of the time at Esquimault. Now there will be two fleets in the Atlantic, one at both Jamaica and Halifax, and the Pacific squadron will remain all the year round at Esquimault. When the changes are complete 5,000 men will be in service at Victoria. Just what this "ove portends no one here knows.