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Show CANADIANS CLOSE BROUGHTON STRAIT DOMINION GOVERMENT TAKES STEPS FOR PROTECTION OF PACIFIC COAST CITIES. Action Believed to be Due to Apprehension Appre-hension as to Possible Attack From German Fleet That Has Been Cruising Off Chile. Ottawa, Ont. It was officially announced an-nounced on Wednesday that the western west-ern portion of Broughton strait, near Vancouver island, had been closed to navigation for purposes of defense. Shipping has been notified that vessels ves-sels between Johnston strait and Queen Charlotte sound must take the Wayntou passage and Blacktish sound. Vessels going by way of Ella point channel are in danger of being fired upon, it is announced. While no reason rea-son has been assigned officially for this action, it is popularly believed to be due to apprehension as to possible attack from the German fleet that defeated de-feated British warships recently off the coast of Ohile. Although no German vessel has yet entered the north Pacific and the British cruisers Newcastle, Swiftsure and Rainbow and the Japanese cruiser Idzumo are patrolling the coast, the people of Victoria, Vancouver and Prince Rupert have been extremeley nervous over reports that the way was open for a German naval attack on their cities. The strait of Fuca near Victoria has been mined, guns have been placed commanding the narrows near Vancouver and other defensive steps have been taken. |
