Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-03
HAWAII NEEDED.
Necessary ms Coaling Base.

Necessary ms u Coaling Base.
Washington Correspondence New York Herald.
Commodore Dewey's victory off Manila
was the subject of serious consideration at
the White House and Navy Department to-
day. particularly in reference to the supply
of coal Commodore Dewey's fleet has on
hand.
When the fleet left Hong Kong for Manila
the coal bunkers Of every vessel were filled
to their utmost capacity with fuel. In ad-
dition collier with a cargo of $500 tons
of coal accompanied the fleet The QueS-
ton under consideration today was how
much of that coal supply has been ex-
hausted and how long the remaining guam
tity will last the admiral in the event of a
protracted blockade at Manila.
1t was during the consideration Of this
subject that the question of annexing Ha-
wall forced itself to the front. Senator
Lodge Of Massachusetts, Senator Frye of
Maine and Senator Gray of Delaware three
Of the ablest and best-informed members
OF the committee on foreign relations, were
at the Navy Department and discussed the
proposition with Secretary Long. Senator
Lodge said he regretted very much the
failure Of the United States to annex Ha-
wall several years ago.
I'VE never needed it as much as we need
1t today" added the Massachusetts senator.
with great earnestness. ct would be an
Invaluable piece of property at this mo-
ment, and In my opinion the United States
should not hesitate a moment longer about
accepting generous and thoroughly BUSH
nesslike proposition Of the Hawaiian gov
eminent"
Some of the wise men of this genera
tion," continued Senator Lodge, were
shrewd enough to appreciate the necessity
of the acquisition of Hawaii by the United
States. II our people who are opposed to
annexation would throw aside political and
personal considerations and look at the sit
uatfon from an international standpoint,
and as a plain. practical, business PROPOSE
ton. they would insist on the immediate
ratification Of the treaty now pending be-
fore the Senate.
Take the existing conditions into con-
sideration, and any reasonable man will be
struck at once with the Importance of the
United States having a base of supplies in
the Pacific ocean. Here Is our gallant
Asiatic squadron fighting successfully to
uphold the national standard in that far
away eastern country. We have no means
of knowing at the present moment what
tanned in yesterdays conflict. We are also
in the dark as to the supply of coal the
fleet has at it's disposition. With all the
foreign ports closed against us our only re-
course is to ship coal supply from San
Francisco.
How different would be the condition II
Hawaii had been annexed to the United
States before this war with Spain came on.
With cable communication between Ha-
wall and San Francisco We could relieve
Commodore Dewey's fleet from any embar-
rassment it may be subjected to for the
want Of coal. Consider the difference in
the number of days it takes to go from
San Francisco to Manila and that Hawaii
Is more than half way between those two
points, and 1t will be at once apparent that
Hawaii would be Of inestimable value as
piece of the United States territory
The question of annexing Hawaii Is likely
sons set forth by Senator Lodge will be one
of the strongest arguments in its favor.