The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-23
WARSHIPS FOR THE PACIFIC.
THE YOSEMITE HAS BEEN SENT no
GUARD THE CAROLINE CIRCUIT.
A Armed Collier Aberenda Is Under Or
dcrs to Proceed to Samoa md
Take Station There.

New York. December IA Tribune spe-
cial from Washington says: The impor-
bance of American interests in the Pacific
ocean. which has been so notably in
creased by Dewey's victory at Manila and
the assumption by the United States of
augmented responsibilities in consequence.
has received significant recognition from
the navy department in the issue of orders
to carry out plans which have been care
fully matured in the last few weeks with
view to maintaining absolutely the po-
litical geography of that vast ocean as it
exists at the present time and to prevent
any recessons of territory by European
powers in the tracks of American COM
merce or along the lines of communication
between the United States and its distant
possessions.
Perhaps the official action OF greatest
Importance related to the dispatch of the
auxiliary cruiser Yosemite about January l
from Norfolk To the LadIone Islands by
way Of the Suez canal. Commander Geo.
T. Ide of the Yosemite will sail under Or
ders to hold his vessel at Guam as station
ship. and while There to be cCnstantlyr1ae-
any unfIisndlS inoursion
The value o. the Yosemite's station at
Guam is calculated TO prevent any change
OF sovereignty over the Caroline Islands
without the cordial consent OF the united
States especially as Deweyts squadron at
Manila Will be rather augmented than re-
duced in strength in the course OF 'ew
weeks.
Another important order which has Teen
issued provides for loading the collier Aba
renda rat Norfolk with the best quality OF
Iccahontas coal and for the deporca"s of
that vessel about January ior Samoa Dy
way of the Straits of Magellan voyage OF
over 10000 nautical miles. The hberenda
will lie il the haibor OF Page Page, whlch
is owned by the United States, uoihs GUY
as a station ship until the arrival ther:
next sprlng of the contractors and material
for Hhe coaiing establishment TO be erected
by this government at cost of SlOOOoc.
TIE AbeIenda will be armed and fully
able to give a good account OF herself II the
serenity of the Samoan group Is too severely
strained by German Interference. She VIII
bo Only 1000 miles from Honolulu where
tho Oregon and the Iowa are TO rencez-
yous. and these battleships can join her
at any time with the certainty OF securing
ccal for a return voyage from her bunkers.
The lack OF coal at Samoa has hltherto
been the chief objection to sending high
powered warshlps there to protect Ameri-
can interests. Another order bearing on
tbs situation in the Pacific has been pre-
pared 10 be sent to the Pacific squadron
when il arrives at calao, direstirg the
diatill!ng ship Iris to proceed directly to
Martha Before starting on this voyage
she viii, take full complement OF fuel
from the other colllers Of the squadron,
enabling them TO hurry on to San Fran
cisco with the Iowa while the Oregon ami
The Celtic continue their voyage to Homo
lulu
Before the end OF January the Hawaiian
Stands will become strong base OF naval
strength and in conjunction will be eff
fectiye forces at Manila and San Francisco
will effectually command the entire Pacific
rnepp