Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-02

on the sd instant Inc fresldeht
concluded however. that it WAS more desirable
that he should remain in Washington during
the consideration Of the Hawaiian annexation
question. It was found that this could be done /
without in the least ieopardIzing the cause OF
the United States in the Boring sea controversy
for the reason that the meeting OF the
arbitrators on the 23d inst. will be merely FOR
the purpose of making preliminary arrange
ments for n subsequent meeting to be held
March %. at which an organization will be Ell
fected and the real business of the tribunal
put in active operation.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE COMMISSIONERS.
The negotiations with the Hawaiian commits
sioners now on their way to Washington will
be conducted on the part of this government
by Secretary ]. W. Foster. but no arrangements
for the conferences will be made until after the
arrival of the commissioners. They are ex-
pected here Friday noon and will make Norm
legs Hotel their headquarters. II is
likely that Mr.. Mott Smith the Hawaiian min
lister under Queen Kapuokalani. will be re-
quested TO arrange for an audience with the
federal authorities. He viii probably confer
with Secretary Foster az the State Department 1
Saturday and arrange for the reception
of the Hawaiian delegation by Secre-
tary Foster on Monday. and if their credentials
| are entirely regular and satisfactory they may |
! be formally received by the President the same
| day. The arranging of these necessary /
formalities will most probably preclude |
conference with the Secretary OF
| State by Saturday was originally I
expected 1t NAV still be arranged. however. |
| provided the business Is expedited. This gov
eminent is thoroughly in earnest in this matter
and will act with the utmost promptness con-
! sonsnt with the importance OF the question at
| issue.
1 TO BE SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS NEXT WEEK
The impression is general that the President
will be prepared to submit the question TO Con-
gress by the end Of next week with message
strongly advocating the active cooperation OF
this government in sustaining the expressed
wish of the people Of Hawaii
ACTION OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
1t can be stated positively that the action Of
the Navy Department with reference to the
Hawaiian situation. outlined in The STAR yes
terday as a probability. will be adhered 20.
Preparation of naval vessels for sea service VIII
be actively pushed. but the naval force at Hon
olulu will not be augmented to any extent I'M
less affairs have a serious aspect Vessels on
| foreign service will be held within reach Of the
telegraph and marines will be placed under
orders preparatory to speedy departure.
Much interest is MANIFESTED al the Navy De-
partment by officers who do not compose 1.-THE
| powers that be- in the action of the depart
. ment concerning the flying squadron the
flagship Baltimore. the Charleston. the San
Francisco and the Yorktown-now on its way
to Barbados under orders to proceed TO Hamp-
ton Roads and New York for participation in
the naval rendezvous and review These YES
els are due at Barbados on February IL, and
rom present indications 1t seems likely
. to the United States. 1t is proba-
/, BILE that something definite bearing on
the Hawaiian question will have developed
by the date of their arrival at Barbadoes. and
D, the department will then see its way clear TO
: take some action as to the disposition of the
n | squadron. The voyage from Barbados to
u Hampton Roads will consume about three or
l. four DAYS only. and therefore no apprehension
/ is felt that the four vessels will get beyond the
= reach OF the telegraph for any length of time.
!. Secretary John W. Foster said this mornlnR
u that there we're no developments IN the
; | Hawaiian matter. There would probably be
2, no news he said, until the annexation com
l. missioners presented their views.
:. MAPS OF THE ISLANDS.
"a The War Department. at the request Of The
State Department, is having copies made OF l
number of blue prints showing the topograph
icai situation of Honolulu and other points i;
the Sandwich islands, which prints are in I'll,
| possession Of the War Department. The cop
&c les and the rest of the originals not duplicated
will be given to Secretary ]. W. Foster for rel
- erence in the conference he is to have Satur
day with the Hawaiian commissioners Dupi
'h Gates of these maps will probably be Tor
ne warded to the naval forces in Hawaiian waters
he NO MORE SHIPS AT PRESENT.
he There is authority for the statement that un
n less affairs in Hawaii take on more warlik
aspect than at present no more United State
on naval vessels will be dispatched to that countr
n for some time to come. No orders have bee
n, issued for the preparation Of the Ranger
q Adams or Monterey now at San Francisco 10
this service and none will be given except D
ic- the event of an emergency requiring the pref
OF ence Of additional ships. The Mohican, whic
he left San Francisco Saturday, will join the Boz
aw ton at Honolulu In about eight days. Thes
% two vessels deemed to be sufficient to pre-
lid tect American interests on the islands undo
'p- existing conditions.
Ter COMMERCIAL AND MILITARY IMPORTANCE O
HAWAI-
az When the reciprocity treaty with Hawaii va
ain under discussion in 1876 the San Frsncisc
led chamber Of commerce recorded an opinion
ny its favor in the folio wing words:
"0pposlte the very portals of this commerce
and in its track. lie these islands, keeping, as
WERE watch and ward over this entire coas
Plant an active enemy upon them, and even
'ks he were the most insignificant of the martin
powers, he would probably annihilate this cor
J. merce. power with a feet consisting only OF 4
,ba Florida and Alabama would, intrenched in the
-. marine fortresses harass all profit out OF II.
IA the hands of England or France the effect won
IN be to enable either of these powers to shut
po- out of the great highway of the Pacific and 10
IRE. us up, SO far commerce is concerned. Win
.itv our own mountain ranges
,th MILITARY VALUE OF THE ISLANDS
nh That was in 1876. Since then II is admit
that both the commercial and strategic impo'
all ance of Hawaii have steadily increased. i
as. growth of its military value with the extensi
-. of railroads across the continent and the !
An ginning OF the isthmus canal has been especia
Cur great.
9 so Admiral Porter once said that with ths
de- islands our Pacific coast is impregnabie, wi
EN-. out them it is defens eiess." And the Lond
,ver Times long ago declared that "the msriti'
for power that holds Pearl river harbor q
rars moors her feet there holds the key
rest the North Pacific" The government
atry the United States has . naval and coaii
station at Page Pago in the Island OF lutul
tate but according TO tine New York SUM that e
ata- earns mainly our interests in central polyne
We and the trade from San Francisco or the Is
era. mus TO sydney and Auckland The comm
GUS, ciL route between Australia and Vsncou
(co~tinssd on Sizth Poge).