New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-03
OFF FORHAWAII TOMORROW
THE FLAGSHIP PHILADELPHIA UNDER
SAILING ORDERS.
SECRETARY LONG SAYS THE MOVEMENT HAS no
SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE. But RUMoRs ARE
AFTOAT THAT IT Is STEP
TOWARD ANNEXATION.
[nY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRI3rNE.l

TOWARD ANNENAIl'N
[pY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRI3uNEl
San Diego Cal. Aprl 2.-The sudden ordering
Of the flagship Philadelphia and Admira
Beardslee. who has just arrived from Centra
America. to Honolulu. causes a sensation here
Secretary Brown Of the Hawaiian Annexation
Club says that Hawaii wants a United states
protectOrate and not annexation, as annexation
would mean exclusion Of foreign contract labor
to the detriment Of the islands sugar interests
Sugar-growers who already have Asatic labor
want annexation. while others oppose it. MT
Brown is the principal owner Of the island con-
tanning Pearl Harbor. which is wanted by the
United States
Admiral Beardslcc was much surprised py the
orders. Great activity prevails on board the
cruiser and she is preparing for speedy trip
She will sail on Sunday II possible.
Washington. April )speciaD.-It was officially
announced at the Navy Department to-day that
the Philadelphia was to go TO Honolulu immedi-
atey, and no little gossip is heard as 70 the rea-
for the unexpected departure Of the flagship
on such voyage Secretary Long is In no sense
worried by the talk going the rounds. lie said
this afternoon that II was true that the Philadel-
phia was going to Honolulu. In his judgment an
officer Of high rank should be in that quarter
The Secretary is authority for the statement that
the orders Of the Philadelphia have no special
significance At the State Department it is said
that the movement Of the ship has not been re-
quesed by the Hawaiian Government as would
have been the had the threatened trouble
between the japanese and Hawaii entered into
the calculations of the Navy Department 1ne
Philadelphia is to relieve the Marion, which ar
rived on tho station, relieving the Alert. about
two weeks ago.
The reason for the change is said to be be-
lief on the part of the Secretary Of the Navy
that, from the Importance Of Honolulu CONNER
cially and otherwise. he United States should
have ship Of higher class than the Marion sta
toned there The Marion is one OF the ships Of
the old Navy. It was the intention of the De-
partment as soon as the repairs TO the Baltimore
were completed to use her IT, replace the fhiia-
delphia as flagship Of the Pacific Station, ana
to put the latter craft out of commission ana
thoroughly renovate her As for the Marion, it
Is conjectured that she may be sent 20 Samoa 10
show the United States flag in that quarter OF
the globe for the first time in four years.
Despite these assurances the gossip Is that
there Is much more significance in the orders
TO the Philadelphia than TN" Administration
cares TO have known by the public al the pres
ent time In certain circles the order 10 me
vessel IS taken to mean that the present Al
mnstration IS favorably disposed toward the
project for the ann eNaton oi the iaWalIah lS'-
ands to the United States. and that the de-
parture Of the Philadelphia is "A preliminary step
in that direction. 1t is argued that unless some
action of importance, similar TO that Indicated
were in contemplation there would be no esp
cial object in replacing an o.d-fashioned snip OF
war at Honolulu with one Of the best vessels Of
tie modern Navy.
There is nothing in the present pontlcal sltua-
ton i'm Hawaii growing out Of the controversy
over the peaceful invasion Of the japanese, 1t Is
said that would Justify interference by the
United States Government under the existing
friendly relations with Japan and Hawaii Such
a course Of action would prevent the Japanese
from getting virtual control Of the Islands would
however become necessary in the extremely
probable event of the conclusion of treaty or
annexation with the Hawaiian Republic. "A
strong effor, is now being made I'm that direction
with every indication Of successful issue. II ls
expected that active and vigorous negotiations
for th. annexation Of Hawaii VIII be pressed
by the Hawaiian Minister and the Annexation
Commission now In this city, as soon as the
Tariff bill is out Of the way and the President
and the Secretary Of State are relieved from the
-.rosnnt irAnnndnlIs nressmrn for offices.