The record-union., 1894-03-30
sneoialto the RrcoRn-uS1ox.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoS.
WASHINGTON, March 29.-When Ad-
miral John G. Walker sails from San
Francisco on April 9TH for Honolulu he
viii carry with him instructions having
a most important bearing on the Behring
Sea question. All speculation and re-
ports to the contrary Notwithstanding.
Admiral Walker was not selected by the
President for this mission on account OF
any threatening conditions of affairs IN
Hawaii, for the official advices received
from that country gave no hint of trouble
or of a restoration to be expected In the
near future, and Admiral Walkers stay
at Honolulu will not be over two months
at the most. During his stay, II trouble
should arise, he will be in a position to
command the situation, but there is no
such expectation, and the AdmiraPs mis-
sion has mostly to do with the seal ques-
ton.
The arbitration just concluded provides
for a JOINT protection by the United States
and Great Britain over The seal waters,
and these two nations are bound to Sc
cure, if they can. the cooperation OF other
interested nations. including Russia,
Japan and China. and perhaps Germany.
The policing OF the seal waters which mad
been previously temporary eXpedlent
was made a permanent charge upon the
parties to the arbitration, and the dill
culties in the execution of the task had
been enormously increased by the vast
extent of protected zone fixed by the ar
bitration, comprising all of the Pacific
Ocean east of the one hundred and eight
ieth meridian and north of the thirty
fifth parallel and Behring Sea. If the
effort to secure the cO-OperaLlon OF Russia,
Japan and China should succeed, of
which there is every promise, the zone
would be still further extended so as to
include the Western Pacific to the shores
of Asia. No such task as this-the pOllc-
ing of vast ocean-waS ever before un-
dertaken, and it became necessary to de-
wise by what means this could be done
effectively, economically and perma-
nently by the combined action of the ma
tions interested.
The first requisite to an effective and
economical patrol was the establishment
of a permanent basis of supplies. There
will probably be three of these-San
Francisco on the east, Yokohama on the
west and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in the
center, all OH the lower boundary OF the
protected zone. The first two are al
ready within reach, but it is the estab-
lishment of the third which caused Ad-
w alK6rS Journey W 1dWdlls I10
is charged with the mission OF determine
ing the most favorable locality of ground
inside of Pearl Harbor for United States
naval coaling station, adapted for docks
and necessary shops for the general uses
of the navy, and of entering into negOtia-
tions for the purchase of such property.
He has had conference with the Presi-
dent, as we'll as with Secretary Gresham
and Secretary Herbert, and departs with
ruusual discretionary MOWERS
His actions are, of course, subject to the
subsequent appeal and ratification of the
President. but his recognized familiarity
with the subject and the full confidence
reposed in his judgment are such that he
is practically authorized without limita-
ton to establish the proposed station.
Naval officers were highly elated when
the object of Admiral Walkers mission
became definitely known, many of them
holding that the occupation of Pearl Har-
Dor was slight step toward annexation
of the Hawaiian Islands. The more con-
servative think that, although the estab-
lishment of the naval station virtually
amounts to prOtectorate of the islands,
it is possible that Admiral Walker, even
should he secure tract of land, may not
erect flagstaff or enter into possession
of the property in the name of the United
States.
1t is pointed out that this Government
has for several years rented a lot of land
in Honolulu and has kept stored there
from 800 to 1000 tons of coal for the use
of our naval vessels. Honolulu is, there
fore, already United States coaling sta
tion, and, although the removal of that
station to Pearl Harbor, few miles dis
tant on the same island. might have some
significance attached to it, such change
might also be considered one of mere ex-
pediency.
If Admiral Walker takes possession of
points at the mouth of Pearl Harbor,
such as would naturally be required for
fortifying and defending it, then the con-
struction placed upon his action could
only mean that the United States in
tended to protect. if not eventually an
nax Hawaii