The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-10
SPAIN WON'T BOTHER HAWAII.
Mohican In Ordered Home. Hut TIT
Bennington VIII Remain.

Bennington Will Remain.
SAN FRANCISCO. May 9.--Advices by
the City OF Picking are as follows:
HONOLULU. May 1.-AdmiraI Miller and
his personal STAFF received orders by the
steamship Alameda. on the 18th. to proceed
at once to San Francisco and there await
further orders. Another dispatch directed
Capt Book, Of the training ship Mohican,
to take his ship hack to Mare island. The
gunboat Bennington has been directed to
remain here to look after Americans and
their interests in the islands. Admiral Mil
Ter and his stan will sail for San Francisco
by the City Of Picking.
The admiral does not believe that the
islands are in any danger Of attack from
Spain. particularly as they are neutral.
Anyhow, Spain has less than dozen war;
ships in the Pacific, and only three or
them are of any size. Even II they were to
leave the Philippines. the American squad
ron. now a. Hongkong, could intercept
them. and Is more than a match Tor them.
The United States steamer Mohican
sailed this morning under emergency or
ders. due to the war with Spain. cutting
short her intended cruise or two years
through the south seas. and on the Asiatic
station. The orders were brought by the
Alameda. Preparations for her departure
were begun at once, rushed through to q
completion and this morning she sailed.
excitement was created when the Diamond
Head lookout reported that she had come
to anchor in Waialae bay. More excite
ment was created two hours later when Ii
was reported that she had pulled or had
drifted SO far into the bay that she could
no longer be seen from the signal station.
Fears were at once felt that she might
have drifted upon the rocks and became
a loss. These fears. however, were al
layed when no boats were put ashore nor
signals given. This was accepted on the
Bennington as conclusive that her ma
chinery had broken down and she had
simply come to anchor until repairs were
made. AT $50 p. m. the Mohican resumed
her voyage. without having any COM
muncation with the shore.
Ii is stated on excellent authority that
several vessels In the Hawaiian trade will
likely apply for Hawaiian registers with
in the next few weeks If Spain and the
United States are at war. Sailing under
neutral flag, they could continue in the
trade without endangering their cargoes.
Owners feel confident that sooner or later
the islands will be annexed TO the United
States, and that their ships would be-
come American again. so that the expenss
attached to the transaction would be more
than covered In the saving OF insurance.
II Is expected that insurance rates will DO
very high IL hostilities have already COM
menced.
According to local paper. instead Of the
Hawaiian islands being annexed as a war
measure Immediately on the outbreak OF
hostil.ties with Spain, the prospect is that
they VIII virtually be abandoned by the
United States until the war IL over. 1t 10
understood from several sources OF good
authority that the United States has al
ready asked Great Britain 10 dispatch Q
cruiser 10 these islands on the outbreak Of
war in order that United States vessels
now stationed here might be permitted 10
return home 10 do their share in protecting
Pacific coast cities.