The record-union., 1897-04-02

morning the cruiser Philadelphia cross
ed the bar and came UP the bay,
beautiful sight, as white and clean as IL
she had not just finished a battle with
head winds all the way from Central
America. The officers and men pre-
pared to enjoy a good stay OF at least
a month in port. Admiral Beardsiee
and Captain Cotton had received
private intimation that they were to be
relieved, and they were preparing to
pack their belongings. Commodore
Dewey, late President of the Board OF
Inspection and Survey in Washington,
was to succeed the Admiral, and Cap
tain Colby M. Chester, late command
ing the Richmond, was to relieve Cap
tain Cotton.
Advantage was being taken OF the
stay in port to clean and paint. orders
were given to scrape off all the paint
and make the cruiser shine with new
coat, and a big detail of men was at
work this afternoon, when a western
Union messenger boy stepped over the
rail. He delivered a message to the
Admiral, and within a minute sudden
change was noticeable on board. Lieu
tenant Commander Ingersoll came out
and gave the order ''All hands knock
off work. and the paymaster was sent
post haste ashore to arrange for coal
ing the ship. In a short time 1t was
noised around that the flagship was to
proceed at once to Honolulu to protect
Americans and American interests in
case of an uprising among the Japan
ese, as is threatened.
Numerous cipher messages were re-
ceived during the afternoon, which kept
the Flag Secretary busy translating.
The Admiral wired to Mare Island for
an immediate shipment of stores and
ammunition, and it is probable that a
special steamer will bring them down
from San Francisco. Meantime extra
coal bunkers will be constructed on
deck, increasing the coal carrying ca
pacity to 1,200 tons. Every pound of
coal possible will be carried.
1t has leaked out that in the order for
stores and ammunition from Mare Is
land was an item calling for complete
equipment of revolvers and other small
arms, with a large amount of ammuni-
ton for the same. This is construed by
the crew that they will be ordered
ashore to do some fighting, and they
are spelling for the chance.
If extra efforts are made at Mare
Island the Philadelphia may get away
Sunday. but the officers are inclined to
believe that she will not be able to
sail before Wednesday afternoon. The
cruiser will go direct to Honolulu, and
will without doubt land a detachment
of troops, if there is any sign of
trouble.
The officers of the Philadelphia re-
fused to talk tonight when asked If
they expected important developments
at the islands. One of them, however,
said the trouble between the Japanese
and the natives of the Island of Maui
was the direct cause of anxiety, but
that it was thought to be simply a
prelude to a general insurrection on
the part of the Japanese against the
Republic. In that case the lives and
property of the Americans will be pc
culiarly endangered, as they comprise
the governing class.
'.To tell the truth" said the officer,
3fwe expect serious trouble in Honolulu.
From all can learn, President McKin-
ley is about to reverse Cleveland'S pol
icy with regard to the islands. The
Japanese question has forced the
United States Government to action.
We expect to be in Honolulu in six
months, and I should not be surprised
if the American flag would be floating
over the islands before we leave there.
The United States will never allow ia
pan to take the islands, and any at
10 do will in
Marion is already at Honolulu, and the
Petrol has been ordered there with us.
The Oregon will go on Port Orchard
dry dock. If she does not go imme-
diately to Honolulu, she will wait for
orders on Puget Sound Admiral
Beardslee expects to be relieved in a
week or two by Commodore Dewey,
but, of course, this sudden order will
postpone that. The Admiral is not dis
pleased. He will be in complete charge
at Honolulu, in the absence of a Min
lister from this Government, and
am inclined to think he is pleased with
the opportunity to do important work
before retiring.
1.-THE situation has been probably
worse than has been expected, and it
is supposed that the Navy Depart
ment received word from the Marion
that it was not able to cope with the
threatened danger. This, in all prob
ability, is the reason for ordering the
Philadelphia and Petrol there. The
Monadnock and Monterey will remain
here When we were in the South
we heard rumors of serious difference
between our Government and Peru re-
garding Sailor Ramsay, who was SEN
fenced to prison for five years. Our
Minister demanded his immediate re-
lease, and the Peruvian Government.
according to a recent dispatch, refused
to accede. This may lead to an order
for the Monterey or Monadnock, or
both, to go to Peru"