The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-01

Two Warships to Be Kept
Constantly at Honolulu
Harbor.
Interesting Complications May Fol-
low the Turning Away Of the
Japanese Immigrants.

WASHINGTON, d. c., April 30.-News
from Yokohama and Honolulu about
Japan's attitude regarding Hawaii has not
caused alarm to this Government, al
though it Is admitted matters may become
serious through the state of feeling in
Japan. Nothing was SAID on the subject
at the Cabinet meeting today, and careful
inquiry indicated no action had bee n
taken by either the Secretary OF State or
Navy looking to the better protection OF
American interests in the islands. 1t is
understood by the ad min istration that
the Hawaiian Government would like the
United States to send more war vessels TO
Honolulu, and there has been some talk
favorable to this among naval officers, but
Secretary Long has not given considera-
ton to the subject. Whether or not this
understanding is the result of official init
nation from Hawaii was not ascertained,
but it was said the Hawaiian legation has
urged on Secretary Sherman the moral
effect the presence OF ships would have on
the Japanese and the restraining influence
they would exert in preventing spresd OF
dissensions said to exist against the Dole
Government.
News dispatches from Honolulu say
that Smith, Attorney General, has re-
turned from his visit to Washington.
Smith sounded the administration while
in this country, and e1-MinisIer Thurston,
who accompanied him. is still here as a
representative of his Government in the
interest of securing the annexation OF the
islands. The Mckinley administration is
known to be favorable to annexation, and
1t is understood it is willing TO negotiate
an annexation treaty just as soon as the
tariff bill is disposed of, but it does not
intend to take any step to interfere with
the discussion OF that measure in the
Senate.
Nothing has been heard by the State
Department from Japan as to the
views and attitude of the United States
toward Hawaii, as indicated by sending
the cruiser Philadelphia to Honolulu
after permission to land had been refused
Japanese immigrants.
The Japanese newspapers interpre this
action as menace to their Government,
but it is said in official circles here that
some OF the statements on the subject in t ne
press OF Japan are erroneous and a denial
is given to-day from an authoritative
source to the news item that the United
y
ing on telegraphic correspondence with
the State Department bout the Hawaiian
situation. 1t is also denied that Great
Britain hasintimated to this Cove rnment
1t objects to the annexation of the ISL
ands. Great Britain had an experience
IN the past that showed the United States
does not brook anything savoring of
British control of Hawaii. What McKin-
lou n L.
OF Japan. If Japan gives way to popular
clamor for the dispatch OF q fleet to
Hawaii the Philadelphia will be re-en-
forced by the American squadron.
This Government believes, however
there is no crisis and depends on the
friendly feelings of the Japanese to bring
about peaceful settlement of the present
difficulty. Secretary Long said tonight
the assignment of the Philadelphia was
made because the President recognized
that the Hawaiian question was liza BILE to
attract the serious attention of the United
States in the event of trouble at Honolulu
and in view of the i'm portance of peace in
the islands to the American residents and
their interests it was deemed advisable to
send tirst-class ship there in addition to
the Marion, now on that station. These
two ships, Long said, will be retained at
the islands indefinitely, but if found
necessary to recall either for repairs:the
Baltimore will be sent out at once in order
to give the United States two ships at
Honolulu at all times. Long does not be-
heve a necessity will arise to dispatch
other vessels from Mare Island, but if il
does he SAYS there are several which can
be drawn upon at short notice.