New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-23
Is HAWAII TO BE SEIZED d?
A REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES
WILL, TAKE POSSESSION.

TIoN ALI. THAT rs CoNrEMF1.ATED-sHN-
AToR DAVIS ADVOCATES SEIZURE.
San Francisco. April 22.-Advices from Homo
lulu under date OF the Nth inst. state that IL ~
rumored that Minister Sewell and Admiral Mil
Ter will take formal possession OF the isiahds III
the name Of the United States as coaling sta
ton on the 18th. it was impossible 10 connrfn
the rumor before the steamer Rio Janero left
Honolulu.
Washington. April 22.-In1uiry at the Navy
Department as TO the story that the United
States Government had arranged for the SELF
ure Of the Hawaiian Islands and the establish
ment of coalng station in Hawaii failed 10
secure any positive statement on the subject.
There is good authority for believing that the
story is exaggerated and that all that has been
done is to provide for the establishment OF
coaing depot and It's adequate protection.
II was learned at the Capitol to-day that the
President In conversation with Senator'S. asked
them what they thought Of the proposition 10
take the Hawaiian Islands az well as the Phiiip-
pines a measure. Those in favor OF an
nexation Of Hawaii expressed the hope that the
San Francisco report is true.
Members of the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations are generally without Information as
to the plans OF the Administration In Hawaii
but some OF them lndor5e the idea OF occurring
the Pacific islands by seizure at this time. IN
view OF their strategic Importance Senator
Davis. chairman OF the committee. Is among
those who hold this view. He said to-day that
he considered that the United States would be
entirely justified in taking the Islands In case
Of war as a war measure They would" said
he. "be necessary for our own defence. and we
should be justified in their seizure at such a
t,-oa FoI int tha hn nd al
our enemies. to whom they would he Invaluable.
What is to prevent SPANS sending a cruiser to
Honolulu and selling the country. together with
our property interests there. including our coal.
Of which l understand have quite supply
in the islands? Furthermore there are In Ha-
wall many American citizens whose interests II
Is necessary should protect. For these and
other reasons should indorse taking possession
OF the islands by the United States in time OF
war. We Of course. know that the Hawaiian
Government is friendly 10 annexation. 20 that
requirement by this would not he so vio-
lent n proceeding as 1t might seem under other
circumstances.
1t is held that in case possession was acquired
in this way there would not be any necessity for
conflrmatory action BY Congress
TAKING CHARGE OF SPANISH AFFAIRS.
FRENCH AMBASSADOR AND AUSTRIAN MINISTER
TO ACT SEPARATELY.
Washington, April 22-As n result Of objec-
lions raised by the State Department TO the
joint action OF the French Ambassador and the
Austrian Minister In representing Spain IN this
country. II is understood that n satisfactory
arrangement has been made by which the Am
bassador and the Minister will divide their
duties and VIII act separately In looking after
Spanish affairs and dealing with the authori-
ties here. The arrangement was made after
conference between Judge Day and the Amhas-
sador and Minister At tho outset the De-
partment took decided grounds against n Joint"
representation believing that II invited confu-
sion and was unusual. II was explained. how
ever that Spain had made her request simu!
taneously to France and Austria. and that both
Governments had accepted simultaneously. Al
though II imposed onerous duty. the accept
ances. 1t was explained. were dictated by the
usual comfy between nations. Having two ac-
ceptanccs. the Spanish Government did not feel
at liberty 70 prefer ono over the other. but
cepteti the protection Of both countries.
While this explanation was in every way salts
factory to the authorities here. they did not
wish the protection TO become complicated by
any divided responsibility. The Ambassador
and the Minister the -eupon made known their
course. which contenplates distinct action in
different localities and this satisfactory 10
tho United States. The French consus
suls general will take charge OF Spanish inter
ests at New-Oreans. San Francisco. Philadcl-
phia, Boston and Galveston. At these points
the Austrian Government is not represented by
consular officers. II any originates at
these points. and IL brought before the State
Department. then the French Ambassador Will
take entire charge OF the negotiations. so far
Spans interests concerned, without con-
sultng the Austrian Minister.
on the other hand. Austrian consuls and vice
consus will take charge Of Spanish interests
at New York Chicago and Pittsburg and as
to cases in these localities the Austrian Minister
will act Independently and without consulting
tie French Ambassador. In smaller cities
where no consuls belonging 10 the regular ger
vice OF France or Austria are located. the CON
sular agents commercial or honorary. will take
charge Of Spanish interests. seniority determn-
ing whether a French Austrian official
shall he in charge. The Ambassador and Min
lister will have no Joint functions to perform for
Spain, in the sense OF conducting diplomatic
negotiations. as all diplomatic relations with
Spain ara terminated.