The record-union., 1897-09-30
ENGLAND AFTER
NECKAR ISLAND.
VIII Make a Mild Protest Against
Annexation of Hawaii.
Only as a Furerunner of a Scheme to Get a
Cable Landing.
Senator Morgan and the Congress
men Who Have Been Visiting
Hawaii Treated With the Great
est Courtesy by the People OF
the Islands.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29.-The
steamship Australia arrived this morn
ing from Honolulu, with the following
Hawaiian advices, under date of the
22d instant:
When the question of the annexation
of the Hawaiian Islands comes up be-
fore the United States Senate England
viii make a protest.
The protest will not be of a belliger-
ent nature, and will be only the fore
runner of a scheme. to obtain control of
Neckar Island for cable purposes. For
some time past English war vessels
have been seizing islands in the Pa
ciic, but have kept their hands off Ha-
waiian territory.
In May. 1894. President Dole had rea-
son to believe that England had her
eyes on Neckar Island. He acted
promptly, and on the 18th of May u
vessel was chartered, and sailed the
same day for the island. Captain Jas.
A King, the Minister of the Interior,
was in charge of the expedition. The
island was reached two days later and
the following proclamation was read:
Il, James A. King, Minister of the
Interior of the Provisional Government
of the Hawaiian Islands, in pursuance
of a commission granted to me by his
excellency, Sanford B. Dole. President
of the Provisional Government of the
Hawaiian Islands, do hereby, in the
name of the Provisional Government
of the Hawaiian Islands, take posses
sion of this island. known as Neckar
Island, as a part of Hawaiian terrific
ry, the same lying in % degrees, p
minutes north latitude. and longitude
164 degrees 30 minutes west, and hav-
ing been claimed by the Hawaiian Gov
ernment as Hawaiian territory since
the year 1916, when an expedition un-
der Captain Patty was sent to survey
said island"
Both the United States and Hawaiian
Governments know positively that
England does not object to the annexa-
ton of the islands. 4Btre sne must have
a cable landing near Honolulu, and the
landing must be on British soil. Neckar
Island is practically worthless to Ha
waii and it is believed that this Gov
ernment will readily cede the barren
rock to please England. Had it not
been for the recent death of British
Commissioner tHawes, Englands re-
quest for the island would have been
presented to this Government. AS the
case stands now, no steps viii be taken
until a new commissioner is appointed.
When Captain King visited Neckar
Island it was found to be almost a ster-
lie heap of volcanic rocks, nearly 800
feet high, with a few patches of coarse
grass on its surface. Upon it, however,
distinct traces of human habitation
were found. Broken images in stone,
sections Of stone walls or monuments
and the fragment Of six well-formed
idols were discovered How long the
heather gods were on the island or how
long the rock was inhabited by a man
are problems which must remain un-
solved. In its sterility but little means
of sustenance are offered even to the
Poylnesian. 1t is probable some party
of natives in the past drifted to Neck
ar Island in open boats, taking the idols
with them.
Representative J. G. Cannon of Illi-
nois, H. c. Laudenslager of New Jer-
sey, A. S. Berry of Kentucky and J. A
Tawney of Minnesota and their fami-
lies leave for San Francisco to-day af-
ter a short stay in this country. SEN
longer. During the partys stay they
have been conducted to the different
points of interest and have had every
thing pertaining to Hawaii explained
to them Many social functions have
been given in their honor. On the eve
ming of the Goth a public reception
was rendered Senator Morgan Tt took
place in the United States legation,
and was largely attended.
Senator Morgan and the Congress-
men visited Pearl Harbor yesterday.
The latest charts, together with a
brief sketch of the work already ac-
complished by the Bennington survey
party. were laid before the Senator
and his colleagues.
1t has been claimed that Representa-
tive Cannon is opposed TO annexation.
in an interview he said:
You can rest. assured that I have
made no committal against annexation.
I do not care what you hear to the
contrary, no man can say that I am
pledged against annexation Of the
islands with the United States"
The Congrsssnaan, after explaining
the delights Of his trip 20 Holo and the
Volcano. was leld 1hat it had been said
OF nm that he HSS 8 cutter opponehl
of annexation. and he vas asked for a
eonfrn1Rt ton Of The statement
He make the above reply, and con-
tinued. n dislike going into print on
this question at the present time.
learned, all POSSIBLY could during the
short period of my stay. l can truth
fully say that I am greatly impressed
with my trip to Hawaii"
Congressman Cannon is Chairman OF
the House Appropriation COMMITTEES.
He has always opposed the allowance
of any large appropriation for the inn
provement of Pearl Harbor
Congressman Berry talked freely. He
said:
4 was favorable to political union
before I came here, and my visit has
only strengthened me in my position
s>I fell confident that annexation will
come during the next session Of Con-
gress. The Hawaiian Islands viii be
annexed in some manner
Congressman Laudenslager was nom
committal when interviewed. 1t is un-
derstood that he favors annexation.
He said:
Not being on American soil, I would