Page 56 - The Interest of America in Sea Power Present and Future

Hawaii and our Future Sea Power.
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dividuality can resist or greatly modify. Both
unsubstantial rumor and incautious personal
utterance have suggested an impatient desire
in Mr. Gladstone to be rid of the occupation
of Egypt ; but scarcely has his long exclusion
from office ended when the irony of events
signalizes his return thereto by an increase in
the force of occupation. Further, it may be
noted profitably of the chain just cited, that
the two extremities were first possessed — first
India, then Gibraltar, far later Malta, Aden,
Cyprus, Egypt— and that, with scarce an ex-
ception, each step has been taken despite the
jealous vexation of a rival. Spain has never
ceased angrily to bewail Gibraltar. " I had
rather see the English on the heights of Mont-
martre," said the first Napoleon, "than in
Malta." The feelings of France about Egypt
are matter of common knowledge, not even
dissembled ; and, for our warning be it added,
her annoyance is increased by the bitter sense
of opportunity rejected.
It is needless here to do more than refer to that
other chain of maritime possessions — Hali-
fax, Bermuda, Santa Lucia, Jamaica — which
strengthen the British hold upon the Atlantic,