The Evening Star TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1871.
“ They do not know their danger/’ We repeat this expression used by an experienced military man in reference to the apathf of Governments and people in Otago about the possibility of Dunedin being ,visited by a hostile cruiser. And we press this again upon attention, because in our opinion jbhe ■danger is altogether invited by ourselves. Last week >ve pointed out the course our chief citizen ought to take gn the matter ; but we suppose because
it was not that suggested by his own . genius, it would not be followed. Let ' him then mark out a better; but let him do something. We know there are many persons who imagine there is no occasion for preparation. Some, in utter ignorance of what may be done, think we and Port Chalmers are quite safe from attack. They think that it is not Dunedin that will be visited. It will be Melbourne or Sydney. Perhaps it may ; but they must never forget that just in proportion to the comparative value of the place, will be the defensive measures taken by the Home Government and the Colonies themselves. Sydney and Melbourne ■ are availing themselves of the inventions of modern science to protect their harbors and cities. They consider themselves in danger, and by frequent and searching inquiries they have made themselves acquainted with what is possible to be done, and what it is probable will be done, by an enemy in case of war. It so happens that the writer of this article, being at that time officially engaged in Victoria, had the privilege of hearing the opinions of the highest military and naval authorities obtainable in the Colonies on the subject, and is therefore acquainted with what is really to be apprehended ; and on this ground would fail in public duty not to urge proper measures to be taken. If a force sufficiently powerful to attack Melbourne or Sydney with a prospect of success, were on the move in these waters, it would only bo a little diversion to attack unprepared Dunedin. One class of persons sneers at the idea of Russian hostility, because, say they, the Russian vessels' will be blocked up at Home. How this might be true of any otlmr European country except France or Holland, but it is not true of Russia. The peace of 1856 only just took place place in time to save the British possessions in these southern seas from alarm, if not from plunder eleven conquest. Russia has one outlet difficult to guard—an outlet on the Yellow Sea, where a fleet of frigates of light draught of water was launched, and they were prepared expressly for this ,service. We are aware that there is a large British naval force in these waters, and that it is more than equal to coping with any enemy that could be sent against us; but unfortunately the sea is a broad highway, and a wideawake cruiser may sail many a month untvapped as did the Alabama and Shenandoah. A British fleet or frigate may be seeking for these depredators in one corner of Cook’s or Foveaux’s Straits, while they may be quietly slipping down to Lyttelton or Dunedin from -the other, and all the damage that can be done may be done before intelligence of it can be conveyed to the absent protector. Our physical position renders defence comparatively easy and inexpensive; but sand hills, ravines, rocks, headlands, and islands, are only helps po protection —natural fortifications more potent than stone walls, we grant —but yet useless unless resolute and skilled defenders are behind them in sufficient numbers. We must not forget natural or constructed defences often become aids to attack if an-enemy gets possession of them. We are quite prepared to believe that the inhabitants of Dunedin, the Mayor included, cannot realise the possibility of their City being laid under contribution or in ashes, or they would not have allowed the matter to rest. But' if they do not know their duty, we know ours, ft may be that no such attempt will be made—it may be, and very likely will be, that 40 war may break out with Russia or any other .Power. So much the better ; but then it may be that war has already taken place, or jvill take place, and that Dunedin may be attacked, attl then how will our Civic dignitary excuse himself for four weeks wasted that might have been given to efficient preparation ] Dunedin can be no worse, but must be better, for defensive pleasures, and it may be much worse for lack of thorn.
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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2477, 24 January 1871, Page 2
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772The Evening Star TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1871. Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2477, 24 January 1871, Page 2
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