The times., 1897-09-24
WHEELING Off FOR HAWAII
Sudden Sailing Orders TO an
American GunbOat.
10 GUARD AGAINST DANGER
The CompIexlty Of the Situation at
Honolulu Puzzling This Govern
mcnt-Jaranese Play to Be Check
mated-The Ordinary Exchange of
Vessels at the Islands.

The interesting news was given out at
the Navy Department yesterday afternoon
that orders had been issued to the gun
boat Wheeling to proceed Immediately TO
Honolulu. This gunboat has been at
Mare Island, Cal, and is now under
swift way for the uaw allan Islands.
Occurrences in Honolulu within the past
few days. lend peculiar value and impor
tance 10 these orders. For the past few
months the Government has maintained
two ships at Hawaii, and the exchange
of one vessel for another has, of course,
no special significance other than as a
mere matter of naval routine.
That orders should he sent To the Wheel
ing to go at once. TO the island, which
is not in a state Of political eruption, is
another matter, for the special reason
that the exchange OF the Baltimore for
the Philadelphia had already been agreed
on as previously noted.
1t is not known why the American
government should be SO careful TO guard
Honolulu, nasmuch as the news is that
the Namwa, one OF the big Japanese
steamers which has been on guard ut
Honolnlu, has gone back to Japan with
the general understanding, however, that
she il to return as soon as possible. The
Naniwa has remained around Hawaii with
no other purpose than TO intimidate the
Dole government into paying certain in-
IDENTITIES, and besides, TO keep the spirit
OF the local japanese up to the point Of
cooperating il at any time the Naniwa
should proceed to enforce the japanese
demands The news is further that
japan is keeping Up her colonization
scheme, the latest alleged trick being
to Introduce sailors and soldiers instead
OF lab0rers.
These Vaccinations of the japanese find
credcnoe in some quarters, and, besides.
there is q widespread belief that Japan
weuid rot willingly see these rich posses
sions made part of America.
The Government here is aware Of the fact
thatthereare comparativelyfew Y few Americans
on the island, and that in any outbreak it
would be America whose interests should
be most promptly and fully guarded. Thar
there is an element there desiring to create
confusion and promptly produce revolution
no one doubts. That element is described
as holding meetings and expressing itself in
stituIion and monarchy. No one, of course,
knows. but il is fair To infer that the native
royal Hawaiians are inclined TO join with
the japanese rather than any other nation
TO Iuakea fight gainst American, or, which
is practically the same thing, aga inst the
Dole government.
1t is undoubtedly this state of affairs
which iInpels this Government to maintain
its forces at Hawaii not only as against
the Intervention Of a japanese warship,
but TO provide for internal troubles which
might affect American citizens and pros
pecUiye property IN the island.
There are now at Honolulu the PhiIa-
delphia ard the Bennington. The Phila-
delphia needs repairs and must go to
San Francisco. The Yorktown viii be
sent temporarily - Honolulu from the
Chinese station, to take the place OF the
Philadelphia. The intention later is to
let the Baltimore assume the place OF the
Philadelphia. There was a runor that
the Oregon would be sent to Hawaii, but
tkat it denied. There is no need yet for
that kind OF a batueship.
Admiral Miller viii remain I'm command
OF the American vessels a Hawaii.