The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-08-18


ored to discuss it from a plain
practical, business standpoint, with
due regard to all the principles ot
our Government and with al
Difference to the traditions of oul
history, and if any reason exists
why we should refuse the gift OF
these islands, offered to us by tn e
Legislature of Hawaii, which is
the official voice of the people OF
Hawaii, and the only way in which
the voice of the people can he
officially heard, then l hope that
some member will produce that
reason, and that we will give all
the consideration which its impor,
tance may demand.
l have obtained from the Bureau
of Steam Engineering of the
Navy Department carefully
prepared and absolutely accurate
statement of the Importance of
Hawaii in the matter of coal. 1t
is not based upon any theories,
but gives the actual amount of
coal that has been used by the
vessels named in making the trips
outlined.
The battlesbip Iowa under the
most favorable conditions con-
sumes 600 tons of coal between
San Francisco and Honolulu,
which left in her bunkers, which
were filled to their fullest capacity
at San Francisco, o25 tons. Under
usual conditions the Iowa uses
725 tons in going to Honolulu.
which would leave $50 tons in her
bunkers. The Massachusetts, un-
der the most favorable conditions
uses 700 tons between San Fran
cisco and Honolulu, and would
have $50 tons left in her bunkers.
Under usual conditions the Mas
sacnusetts uses $50 tons, which
would leave $40 tones in her bun
kers. The Charleston uses 800
tons in gong from San Francisco
to Honolulu, which would leave
400 tons in her bunkers, under the
most favorable conditions. Under
usual conditions the Charleston
uses $50 tons and has $50 tons
remaining. The Monadnock uses
273 tons going from San Francisco,
and has II3 tons remaining, under
most favorable conditions. Under
usual conditions the Monadnock
uses 3S3 tons going to Honolulu
and only has 4 tons remaining.
The Monterey can not steam to
Honolulu on her bunker capacity,
her greatest radius being 2,773
miles, but can reach honolulu by
piling coal on her decks.
None of these vessels, which
embrace the different types of the
United States Navy, can carry
enough coal to participate in an
engagement at Honolulu of any
considerable duration and then
return to San Francisco. In case
the Navy could not coal at Homo
lulu the United States would be
absolutely HELPLESS in Pacific
waters. A war ship had better be
without powder than without coal.
No European power can attack
our Pacific coast without coaling,
and the United States could con-
duct no warefare in the Pacific
Ocean without coaling station.
A war ship without coal is but a
helpless bulk of not more value
than a schooner without either
sales or rudder.
From San Francisco to Homo
lulu is a distance of 2,Ioo miles;
from Honolulu to the Carolines is
200 miles; from the Carolines
to the Philippines is 1900 miles;
from the Philippines to Hong
Kong, 900 miles. From San Fran
cisco to Honolulu is an easy coal
ing distance for war vessels and
merchant steamers; from Homo
lulu to the Carolines is another
easy coaling distance; from the
Carolines to the Philippines is
another easy coaling distance, and
the Philippines are within easy
coaling di: tance of all Asiatic and
Australian ports. The fortunes
of war have thrown the Philippines
and Carolines within our control;
the Hawaiian Islands have been
offered to US as a gift. With this
chain of islands we would be i'm
pregnable in war, so far as any
attack on the Pacific Ocean is
concerned, and no power on earth
could compete with US in COM
merce.
By accepting the advantage
which has been almost provlden-
italy offered US, we will become the
complete masters Of the Pacific
Ocean.
There is another class of people
who will be greatly benefited by
the annexation of Hawaii, about
whom but little has been said. |
refer to the laborlng men.
IIv..I IL. lo,,,ant of tha